Inventory 55, Seeds and Plants Imported. 



Plate IV. 



King, ill his Farmers of Forty Centuries, draws attention to the fact that the Chinese grow this 

 clover not only as a source of soil nitrogen but for human food. For this purpose they culti- 

 vate it in specially prepared beds and gather the shoots before the stage of blossoming is 

 reached and prepare them by boiling or steaming them. The stems are also cooked and dried 

 for winter use. When picked very young these clover shoots bring the highest price of any 

 vegetable, as much as 28 cents gold per pound. The reason for this fact is worthy of investi- 

 gation by physiologists. (Photographed bv Frank N. Mever, Mokanshan, Chekiang, China, 

 April 22, 1908; P5438FS.) 



