xt7j9k45s07p https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7j9k45s07p/data/mets.xml   Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station. 1938 journals kaes_circulars_003_318 English Lexington : The Service, 1913-1958. Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station Circular (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n. 318 text Circular (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n. 318 1938 2014 true xt7j9k45s07p section xt7j9k45s07p E
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
Extension Division Y
THOMAS P. COOPER, Dean and Director
CIRCULAR NO. 318
‘ CRIMSON CLOVER AND OTHER WINTER LEGUMES
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Harvesting crimson clover seed.
Lexington, Ky.
September, 1938
_ Published in connection with the agricultural extension work carried on by cooper-
ation of the College of Agriculture, University of Kenturky, with the U. S. Department
of Agriculture and distributed in furtherance of the work provided for in the Act of
COUETESS of May 8, 1914.  

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Circular N0. 318
CRIMSON CLOVER AND OTHER WINTER LEGUMES
By E. N. FERGUS, RALPH KENNEY and W. C. JOHNSTONE
INTRODUCTION
Winter legumes are annual plants o[ the legume [amily that
complete their development during the [all, winter and spring.
`l`ho they may sometimes grow considerably during the [all, gener»
ally speaking they rarely do more than become well established
and make a good ground cover. During late winter, as the weather
becomes [avorable [or growth, they begin rapid development that
is completed by late spring or early summer.
Crops o[ this group known to be ol` agricultural value in Ken-
tucky are crimson clover (Trifoliiznn [7l(,`(L}`Illl[1l7}Z), low hop clover
[Tl`[f.()[I.U7l1 jnoctzmlucns), white clover (Trifolitmv. re]2ens),* and
hairy, or winter, vetch (Vicia wil/osu). Others about which little
is known regarding their agricultural possibilities in Kentucky are
hlack medic (Medicago lu!/mlina), least hop clover (Trzifolirum. dub-
ium), Austrian winter pea (Pisum arvense), bur clovers (Mcdicago
sp.), and button clover (Medicugo orlziculmis). lt appears that the _
latter group may be suited to southwest Kentucky, but until more
is known regarding their adaptability to that section, only small
acreages should be sown, and these [or the purpose o[ test. The
farmer who is not inclined to experiment may for the present,
thereiore, be content to confine his selection ol` winter legumes to
the iirst group.
PART 1. CULTURAL PRACTICES AND USES
Because soil treatment and cultural practices are similar for the
production o[ each ol` these crops, it seems best to consider them in
this place in so [ar as practicable, leaving important variations [or
the discussion pertaining to specihc crops.
Soil Irculmcnl. l)espite the [act that most o[ these legumes are
lairly well adapted to rather poor soil, it is best that such soil be
rwliite clover, tho a perennial. is included in this group for reasons explained in
the discussion of the plant  

   }}é
W
·l /{enlur/cy Exlensirm Circular N0. 318
limed and ferilixed for them in so far as possible. Not only will Thes
these crops themselves respond prohtably, but the crops that fol- more
low will also benefit directly from the residual effects of the treat- and
ments, and indirectly from the effects of the better legume growth. must
Land should therefore be limed at the rate of 2 to 3 tons of lime- const
stone to the acre, unless it has been recently limed or unless some the 1
crop is to f`ollow the legume that may be injured by liming. Phos— thert
phate should be applied to all soil outside the Bluegrass region that li
has not been liberally treated recently, at the rate of 200 pounds or crop
more of 20 percent superphosphate to the acre, or with an equiva- seedt
lent amount of some other carrier of phosphorus. The materials may
should be applied as far ahead of seeding as practical. the 2
I’re]mm!ion of seed bw!. All seed should be covered to a depth Hil21<
varying with the crop. Obviously the necessary seed bed prepara- HWY
’ tion varies from plowing or disking, and harrowing, in preparation if lh
for winter vetch, Austrian winter pea, and bur clover in the pod, I
to very little harrowing for the smaller-seeded species. In fact. no rian
seed bed need be prepared, apparently, for seeding the latter group rates
on stubble or thin sod land. Heavy sods must be grazed, disked. or perii
clipped and the material removed, else the seedlings will be smoth- zttrz
ered. proc
ilfet/md of seeding, One of the requirements of good seeding the·
is that the seed shall be evenly distributed. Seed drills and wheel-
barrow seeders do the work satisfactorily. It is also possible to sow
uniformly with hand seeders, but it is not so easy. Hand broad- VT-
casting is satisfactorily done only by one skilled at it. Perhaps all g
seed sown broadcast. whether with mechanical seeders or by hand. t
should be divided. half being sown in one direction and half in the ;
other. t
\Vinter vetch and .—\ustri2:n winter pea, if sown broadcast, should l
be harrowed in. Bur clover in the hull is best. sown broadcast and —
harrowedin. The smaller-seeded species need not be harrowed in i
unless the seed bed is very hne. E
It appears that crimson clover, winter vetch and Austrian win- at ft
ter pea, tho frequently sown alone with excellent results, should earl
generally be seeded with a small grain or perhaps Italian rye grass. I5 I
Other winter legumes should always be sown in a sod, in lienturk}. tyeg

 Crimson C/(mer and O/her Wirtter Legizmes 5
will These various small-grain or grass—legume mixtures are apt to be
fol more effective in controlling soil erosion than the legume alone,
reat- and they undoubtedly are more winter hardy, especially if seeding i
»wth. must be done late. Nitrogen fixed by the legume is more largely
lime- ronserved if a small grain or grass is grown with the legume, and
some the mixture produces a better pasture than either alone. It appears.
?hos— therefore, that the winter legumes should seldom be sown alone:
that For seeding such mixtures, the seed bed is prepared for the grain
ds or crop, which is sown in the usual way. .-\ustrian winter pea is best
uiva- seeded by drilling or disking it in ahead of the small grain. Vetch
zrials may be seeded as suggested for peas or the seed may be mixed with
. the small grain. Crimson clover mav be sown thru the rass—seed
S , S
leptli attachment of the grain drrll, at the time the grain is drilled, or it
para- may be broadcast afterward. A light harrowing may be benehcial
ation if the seed bed is very line. ‘ `
pod. Rates of seerlhig. Seeding rates vary widely. Vetch and Aust- f
it. no rian winter pea have large seeds and must be sown at much heavier
group rates than the smaller—seeded kinds. However, judging from ex-
zd. or perimental work, it seems desirable to sow the small-seeded kinds
notli- atrates considerably in excess of those that would be expected to
produce a heavy stand. Recommended acre rates of seeding for
ediug the various winter legumes in Kentucky are as follows:
wheel- Seeded alone Seeded with small grain
O Sow or in sod _ or Italian ryegrass ,
yygad. rw_—t ini 777 7 “"`;)l.1l]dS _ pounds
N qu Crimson clover ................,....,.. 12-18 8-10 _ V
l` “ Hop clover .......i............,............. 3-15 5-10+
hallll- White clover ............................ 2-10 . — .
m me Vetch .................,.......,.................. 20-60 15-25
Black medic .i............................ 10-20 8-12+
Austrian winter pea .............. 40-60 20-30
hmlld Bur clover* .....,.......................... 30-60 20-25
Button clover ............................ 10-20 8-12+ ’ ’ `
;l and  
’€(l ill 'Unhulled. T Mixtures of doubtful value.
Small grains with which the legumes are seeded should be sown
1 win- at from 4 to 6 pecks to the acre. The lighter rates are prel`erred for
houltl early seeding. and the heavier for late seeding. Apparently about
grass. l5 pounds of Italian ryegrass seed to the acre is suflicieut for the
tuck}. n‘egrass—winter legume mixture. It is not easy to sow a small \

 `C
6 Kentucky Extension Circular N0. 318
amount of seed uniformly; therefore, unless a mechanical seeder
that operates successfully at light seeding rates is used, it is best to
thoroly mix the seed with Hne sand or other suitable inert material
to increase the bulk.
YVinter legumes may be seeded approximately from August 5
to October l5. The best date varies with sections of the State and
with the legume. Generally speaking, seeding dates in southern
and western Kentucky are ten to Hfteen days later than in northern
and eastern Kentucky. Because winter vetch, white clover, hop
clover, and black medic are quite winter—hardy, they may be sown
late, if necessary, tho it is desirable to sow as early as practicable to
ensure as much growth as possible before winter. Crimson clover
is slightly less winter hardy; therefore it ought not to be sown so
late that it cannot make good growth before winter, tho small plants
` in sod or winter grain seldom winterkill. Preferred dates for seed-
ing the winter legumes under various conditions in different parts
of Kentucky are shown in the following table.
All winter legume seed, except bur clover seed in the hull,
should be inoculated shortly before seeding on land for the first
time, unless a good crop of another species of legume carrying the
effective nodule organism has recently occupied the land. It is
most conveniently done with good commercial cultures if the man-
ufacturer’s directions are carefully followed. Soil methods are
also effective. These consist in obtaining soil from a held that has
grown a good crop of a legume affected by the desired organism.
This soil may be broadcast over the Held at the rate of 200 pounds
to the acre and worked into the soil or, more conveniently, it may
be partly dried, pulverized, screened, and mixed with the seed until
particles adhere to each seed. Slightly moistening the seed before
mixing aids materially in obtaining good soil adherence. The seed
should then be dried sufliciently, if necessary, to prevent swelling.
and sown within two or three days.
Only three species of nodule organisms affect the winter legumes
under consideration; consequently, these legumes may be arranged
in the three following groups, according to the organism concerned.
Other common legumes affected by the same organism have been

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8 Ken/uc/ty Exlension Circular No. 3/8
added to each group. as an aid in selecting suitable soil for inocula-
tion:
Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 (
Crimson clover Vetch Black medic .
Hop clover Austrian winter pea Btur clover '* CS
White clover Garden pea Button clover Emu
Red Clover Alfalfa ,,
Alsike clover Sweet clover
U.tr*.r. \\t’inter legumes as a group are of value in Kentucky UHF
principally for soil improvement and conservation and for winter TIE
and spring pasture. Generally speaking, they serve the three par- I
poses at the same time, yielding immediate returns in livestock
products and later profits in improved yields of subsequent crops. .
The pasturage that they furnish in the spring, relieving the per-
manent pasture of early overgrazing, is immensely important for
` the farmer who is trying to manage his permanent pastures for high
production.
Some of these crops lllély undoubtedly be harvested for seed
profitably. and a few may be made into hay, but the weather is
frequently so unfavorable for hay making at the time they should
be harvested that they are better used otherwise. Summer legumes
are much more satisfactory for making into hay.
lf used wholly as green—mauure crops, they should be plowed
under only when in condition to produce beneficial effects. That
will be before the mass is too large or too woody to become incor-
porated properly in the soil. Generally speaking, they should be
plowed under when 18 inches or less tall, and at least two weeks
before a subsequent crop is seeded. taut
Ivtsect ]1r¢.s·l.rm1rl (ffSl?(l.S`(?.$`r Insects rarely, if ever, seriously in_]ttrt· soil
any of the winter legumes, and diseases apparently are uniinportanl prot
except on crimson clover, tho some damage may be done to most of that
them by organisms that cause stems to become black and, when the
severe, to drop their leaves. wet
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Crimson. C/mrer and Other l/Vinter Legumes 9
li} PART 2. THE SPECIES
CRIMSON CLOVER
(jrimson clover is ill] erect, pubesce11t, many—sten1med plant that A
is es >eeiall distin uished from tl1e otl1er le ·u1nes b · its long num- i
V l y g > D7
erous, compact heads of crimson colored flowers.
This clover possesses several good qualities [hill l]lEll<€ it the 1
k most generally useful, i11 Kentucky, of tl1e winter legumes. The
e v . . - .
* mst ol seed111 · an acre 1S usuall amon · tl1e lowest of tl1e cro is.
iter . . ` . 1
and the seed is eastly sown. It S[Z`tH(lS pasturtng well a11d without .
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eeks
much wasting of leaves and stems, is adapted to medium productive
_iurt· soil as well as to tl1e best soil, is palatable, nutritious, and quite
tant iroductive. The crou. however. has some ob`ectionable ualities
_ l l
st ol that have prevented its more general use 111 Kentucky. Perhaps
when the most serious of tl1ese is tl1e l`?l[l1€l` frequent loss of stands in the
seedling stage. This situation arises because tl1e seed gernnnates
quickly; consequently seedings made o11 a dry soil germinate with
the lirst shower tl1at wets tl1e surface soil, only to perish because
of insufficient moisture i11 tl1e subsurface. Furthermore. stands
from late seedings are likely to die during tl1e winter u11less tl1e
weather is 111ild a11d 11ot conducive to heaving. lf. however, the \

 IO Kemuc/cy Extension Circular N0. 318
late seeding is made in a sod or with a small grain or with Italian lore
ryegrass, the stands seem to be suH‘lCiently protected by the compan- min
ion crop to survive even severe winters. gene
The practice of seeding crimson clover in permanent pastures tags
appears to be increasing in favor and has much to recommend it. outs
Earlier grazing is made possible in the spring, and the clover has past
a benehcial ellect upon the grass that greatly increases the summer lor
and fall pasturage. Apparently there seldom is appreciable smotlr com
ering of the grass by the clover, tho the possibility should be con- _
sidered and the clover clipped and removed whenever it is impos-
sible to graze a very heavy growth.
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0ll- Recommended seeding practices are discussed in Part l.
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A mixture of Italian ryegrass and crimson clover prevents erosion and makes good
3 ex- §1'BZlIlg.
Use. Crimson clover is valuable primarily for soil improve-
V on lllellt and pasture. Usually a stand serves both purposes. For pas-
im» ture it is especially prized because of its rapid growth, excellent
mds pfllatability, and high nutritive value. It is likely to cause bloating
it is nl` cattle and sheep, especially if they are turned on it when hungry
and without easily available salt and water.
rl€kl’ Crimson clover makes good hay when cut in early bloom and
fl0l`€ ll’€ll cured. lf it is to be fed to horses or mules it must be cut before
S€€d ?lll)' heads become brown; otherwise “hair balls" formed in the in-
10i$‘ [€$[lll€S from certain parts of these mature {lowers may kill the Zlfll-
rere- mals. \

 ”i
l2 Ivmilttr/cy Exlr*n.s‘irm C/rcu/{tr N0. SIS
Some crimson clover is harvested for seed in Kentucky, and it intpl
appears that the tendency is to increase the acreage used for that Iiorst
purpose. lt is not diflieult to harvest. tho careful handling of the il
crop is required to prevent shattering of the seed. The crop should cessf
be cut. a few days after the last heads become brownish. For inost lt2t\’G
farmers the crop will be most conveniently cut with a field mower. then
Unless the crop is lodged, it is desirable to cut high in order to re- lied,
duce the amount of material that has to be handled. To avoid 1
excessive shattering of the seed. mowing should be done while dew acca
is on the plants. and the material hunched or windrowed as cut ttttt)
by special attachments on the cutter bar of the mowing machine. ing
ln taking the crop to the huller or to storage to await hulling. it . fron
should be handled little and carefully. and hauled on a wagon with Whit
a tight bottom. crov
i The seed may be hulled satisfactorily with a clover seed huller (lm
or grain threshing machine equipped with special hulling concaves lll  
and screens. The small combine harvester also successfully threshes mm
crimson clover. me
Seed intended for home use may be saved in the hull. Usually im"
this is most easily done by harvesting the heads with a comb strip-
per. Commonly this tool is made by constructing a "comb" on an i
open side of a shallow box. The teeth for the comb, which are M]
made of hard wood pointed at one end, have in cross section the lm
shape of the side view of a tall bucket. The unpointed ends of the mi
teeth are fastened to the back of the comb, which is a broad piece lh?
of wood. with the narrow side down. The teeth should be TA inch iiidl
apart. Dimensions of the parts of the comb will vary somewhat. Im
depending upon the size of the stripper. l·`or the smallest strippers mx
the teeth should be l inch wide. Larger sizes will require somewhat Hm
broader teeth because the length will be greater, requiring greatet (list
strength. The length of the teeth varies from ti inches in hand lm
strippers to 18 inches or 1ll()l`C in the large ones which are swung mu
between two wheels and drawn by mule or horse. The latter should
be supported in such fashion as permits their being adjusted as ttt mj
height above ground and of their tilting to accommodate the tC€tlt lie;
to varying heights of clover while stripping. The shafts of tlt<‘ sai

 Crimsrnz C/over and Other lr/Vinler Legumes 13
it implement should be long enough to allow hitching the 11u1le or
W horse well ahead of the comb.
the 'I`he ordinary hand bluegrass seed stripper has been used suc-
ylpl tessfnlly to harvest crimson clover seed alter the sides ol the teeth
my have been cut oll sulhciently to make a space ol`   inch between
,C,._ them. Doubtless the pan stripper could be used il similarly modi- T
H-. lied. tho perhaps the teeth are too short to permit last operation.
Om 1)i.wa.rc.v. Crimson clover is frequently injured somewhat, and
[CW at·t·asiom1lly seriously, by crown, or stem, rot ro erl razed, ersists under severe razin · and tram in i_- uns <
· · P g. s
uite drouth-resistant, and reseeds abundantl =. rlhese ualitieg rarel
(1 I
together with 1[S excellent palatability and high nutritive value, ways
account for tl1e important place the legume holds in Kentucky agri. the I;
culture. yr
I I poor
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