The utilization of sweet clover as a feed for all classes of live stock
has increased rapidly in many parts of the country, owing primarily to
the excellent results obtained by many farmers who have used this plant
for pasturage or hay, and also to the fact that feeding and digestion
experiments conducted by agricultural experiment stations show that it
is practically equal to alfalfa and red clover as a feed.
As a pasture plant, sweet clover is superior to red clover, and
possibly alfalfa, as it seldom causes bloat, will grow on poor soils,
and is drought resistant. The favorable results obtained from the
utilization of this crop for pasturage have done much to promote
its culture in many parts of the United States. On account of the
succulent, somewhat stemmy growth of the first crop the second year,
difficulty is often experienced in curing the hay in humid sections, as
it is necessary to cut it at a time when weather conditions are likely
to be unfavorable. When properly cured the hay is relished by stock.
At the present time sweet clover is used to only a limited extent for
silage, but its use for this purpose should increase rapidly, as the
results thus far obtained have been very satisfactory.
In addition to the value of sweet clover as a feed, it is one of the
best soil-improving crops adapted to short rotations which can be
grown. When cut for hay, the stubble and roots remain in the soil, and
when pastured, the uneaten parts of the plants, as well as the manure
made while animals are on pasture, are added to the soil and benefit
the succeeding crops. In addition to humus, sweet clover, in common
with all legumes, adds nitrogen to the soil. This crop is grown in many
sections of the country primarily to improve soils, and the benefits
derived from it when handled in this manner have justified its use, as
the yields of succeeding crops usually are increased materially.
The different species of sweet clover are excellent honey plants, as
they produce nectar over a long period in all sections of the United
States.
[Illustration: Fig. 1.--Cattle pasturing on sweet clover.]