43 



the damp places in a permanent pasture. Sow 6 pounds of seed per acre in Septem- 

 ber or March. 



Artichoke (//e/irt»i^ftH8 /h?)c/-os«s).— Perennial, by underground tul)er8; stems erect, 

 5 to 8 feet ; leaves and dowers much like those of the ordinary suntiower, but smaller. 

 One of th<! best and most profitable crops for winter hog pastures. The tubers may 

 be cut in small pieces for planting, as is done with Irish potatoes, and about the 

 same amount of "se»'d" per acre is required. They are planted in the same manner and 

 require the same cultivation as the Irish potato. The tubers make very little growth 

 before October, and do not become thoroughly matured before December. The yield 

 is larger than that of any otlier root crop, being ordinarily from 400 to 600 bushels 

 per acre, while double those yields are secured under specially good conditions. 



When the crop is fully matured a few 

 rows should be plowed out to secure 

 "seed" for spring planting, and this 

 should be buried like potatoes. When 

 the field is turned over to the hogs 

 enough of the tubers will be left in the 

 ground to restock the field, Init as the 

 hogs will leave the ground very rough 

 and uneven, and the plants will be so 

 irregular that they can not be culti- 

 vated, it is much better to plow the 

 entire field in the spring and replant in 

 resrular rows. When it is desired to 

 clear a field in which artichokes have 

 been grown it can be accomplished by a 

 single plowing in June or July, after 

 the new growth has exhausted the old 

 tubers and before the new crop has 

 formed. 



Birdfoot Clover. Yellow Trefoil 

 {Lotus coniiciilalus). — Perennial; stems 

 branching, slender, nearly prostrate, 3 to 

 12 inches; leaves very numerous, small; 

 flowers yellow, in small heads. 



This grows well on hard and sterile 

 soil, roots deeply, bears drought well, 

 and is of considerable value as a pasture 

 plant. It begins its growth very early 

 in the spring, but is little esteemed after 

 the beginning of summer. It is well worth sowing in dry pastures. 



Buffalo Clover (Trifol'nim refiexiim).—A\mna\ or biennial; stems in large clumps, 

 erect, downy, il to 12 inches; leaflets roundish or obcordate; flowers nearly white; 

 calyx reflexed when mature. 



Very similar to red clover in appearance, excepting in size and color of flowers. 

 It is widely distributed, being more common along fence rows and ditch banks than 

 elsewhere, and is nowhere abundant. It is a good grazing and hay plant, but 

 grows so poorly in open fields that it is not profitable for cnltivation. 



Bur-clover {M(dica<io macnlata and M. denUculatu (Wy^. 14). — Annual; stems 

 branching, decumbent, 1 to 3 feet; leaves very numerous, large, tri-foliate, each 

 leaflet with a dark brown spot in the middle; flowers small, yellow, in small heads 

 on long peduncles; seeds in a small bur. 



Extensively introduced, and a valnahlc. pasture plant for early grazing. Eaten 

 well by cattle and sheep, and occasionally by horses and mules; of little value for 

 hay. Seed should be sown in October, on rich loamy soil, and the plants will make 

 good grazing by February or March. The seed matures in April and May, after 



Fig. 1-1.— Biir-( Idvoi- ( J/('(?icoj7o inaculata). 



