JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 31, 1909. 15 



24451 to 24575— Continued. 



24452 to 24456. Medicago falcata L. 



24452. "(No. 66.) The main lot of western Siberian alfalfa gathered 

 growing wild on the open steppe, with the help of 200 peasants, a few 

 miles from Obb, Tomsk Province, where the Obi River crosses the 

 Siberian railway. One of the most characteristic and dominant plants 

 of the open steppes in Tomsk Province, western Siberia. The falcate 

 or sickle-shaped pods of this alfalfa give it the specific name falcata. 

 A long-lived perennial, with strong, deep-growing taproots, holding its 

 own with other native plants in dense sod and enduring pasturing. 

 Highly regarded by the peasants as a pasture plant and for hay. 

 Cattle, horses, and sheep are all fond of the plant. Worthy of thorough 

 trial in all regions where the common alfalfa suffers from winterkilling. 

 Where common alfalfa, which is native of a much milder climate 

 than that of our Prairie Northwest, is perfectly hardy, I would sug- 

 gest 'Let well enough alone.' However, it will be well to remember 

 that this plant, while primarily intended for the severest regions, 

 endures more pasturing than common alfalfa, and may be found valu- 

 able to introduce into native pastures as a wild plant farther south. 

 Plant breeders should be quick to isolate the elementary species in 

 Medicago falcata and to remember that the many different lots of 

 Medicago falcata gathered in my second and third trips to Siberia 

 should be carefully kept separate. The most southern lots should go 

 more into the Central West, the northern lots into the most northern sec- 

 tions. The species varies in its native haunts and should be regarded 

 as consisting of many elementary species, differing widely in important 

 characteristics. The yellow flowers are attractive and much visited 

 by bees." (Hansen.) 



24453. "• (Xo. 90.) As found wild on open steppe at Omsk, Akmolinsk 

 Province, western Siberia. See No. 66 (S. P. I. No. 24452)." (Hansen.) 



24454. "(No. 86.) See No. 66 (S. P. I. No. 24452). This lot is from 

 north of Irkutsk, near western shore of Lake Baikal, eastern Siberia, 

 and extending to a hundred miles north, among the Buriats, a Mon- 

 golian tribe. This region is moist er in climate than farther east on 

 the open steppe, so may be found better adapted for regions like 

 northern Maine, Minnesota, and Wisconsin." (Hansen.) 



24455. "(No. 28.) One of the three yellow-flowered Siberian alfalfas. 

 This seed was gathered on the east bank of the Irtysh River about ten 

 miles north of Semipalatinsk, in the province of the same name, western 

 Siberia. Plants with stems 5 feet 8 inches long were found. Of erect 

 habit . Both as growing in the wild pasture and as hay the plant is well 

 liked by stock. The plant is also much visited by bees." (Hansen.) 



24456. "(No. 58.) Although but a small quantity of seed, this 

 number should receive special attention, as it is from the farthest 

 point east where I found this Siberian alfalfa. Seed gathered in 

 almost pure sand at station Charonte, in an arm of the Desert Gobi, a 

 few miles from Chinese territory on the Siberian railway. This is in 

 the Mongolian part of Manchuria, Manchuria proper not beginning till 

 after crossing the Chinese mountains. This region is marked by great 

 extremes of heat and cold, and especially by the fact that often cold 

 sufficient to freeze mercury is experienced with no snow on the ground." 

 (Hansen.) 



Distribution. — A native of Europe and Asia, extending from Sweden to 

 'China. 



8805— Bui. 162—09 2 



