THE cultivation of sweet clover should be preceded by a through
knowledge of the requirements for obtaining a stand.
The white species comprises a very large percentage of the present
acreage of sweet clover.
Annual yellow sweet clover should be sown in no portion of the United
States except the South and Southwest, and then only as a cover of
green-manure crop.
Sweet clover is being cultivated in practically every State in the
Union. At the present time the largest acreage is found in The western
North-Central States and in the Mountain States.
Sweet clover is adapted to a wider range of climatic conditions than
any of the true clovers, and possibly alfalfa.
Sweet clover will grow on practically all soil types to be found in
this country, provided the soil is not acid and is well inoculated.
Sweet clover is more drought resistant than alfalfa or red clover. It
is quite resistant to alkali.
The lime requirement of sweet clover is as high as that of red clover
or alfalfa. Maximum growth is obtained only on soils that are not acid.
Sweet clover usually will respond to applications of fertilizers and
manure.
In the move humid sections of the country good stands usually are
obtained by seeding with a nurse crop.
Only seed which germinates 75 per cent or more should be sown in the
spring of the year unless the rate of seeding is increased to make up
for poor germination.
Sweet clover does best when seeded on a well-firmed seed bed which has
only sufficient loose soil on the surface to cover the seed.
It is very essential that inoculation be provided in some form if
success is to be expected.
The large number of failures in obtaining a stand of sweet clover
are due primarily to acid soils, lack of inoculation, and seed which
germinates poorly.
Spring seedings in general are satisfactory, but in the South excellent
stands are obtained from midwinter seedings also Fall seedings are
usually successful south of the latitude of southern Ohio.
A Farmers' Bulletin (No. 820) on the utilization of sweet clover for
pasture, hay, and as a green-manure is about to be issued.