54 FORAGE CROPS IN NEBRASKA. 



the United States it has been cultivated for man}- years. On the 

 station plot there was a good stand produced, but the grass was soon 

 run out by other plants. 



The Italian rye-grass {Lolkmi italicum) was not tried at the station, 

 l)ut its characters are similar to those of perennial rye-grass. Both 

 are short-lived perennials and are not well suited to permanent pas- 

 ture. Where the climate is adapted to their growth, they have the 

 advantage of giving an abundant early growth, for which reason they 

 are to be recommended for mixtures, as they give a luxuriant growth 

 the first season and then give way to the other grasses. The climate of 

 Nebraska is too dry for successful results with these grasses. 



Liqnnen {Lupmus sj)j:>.). — None of the lupines has given satisfactory 

 results in America. 



Bur clfjver {Medicago denticulata). — An annual clover, frequently 

 grown for winter forage in the Southern States, but not suited to 

 Nebraska conditions. The station plot pi-oduced a thin stand and 

 unsatisfactory growth. 



Melica altissima. — A fair stand was obtained, luit it soon dis- 

 appeared. 



White sv^eet clover or Bokhara clover {Mdilotus alhus). — An excel- 

 lent legume for renovating clay lands, and fairly drought resistant. 

 The great objection to its use as a forage plant in the West has been 

 the fact that stock will not eat the plant. However, it is not infre- 

 quently reported that it has been fed to stock with success. The 

 foliage contains a l)itter substance which is disagreeble to animals, 

 and it seems necessary that the taste for the phuit l)e acquired. It is 

 reported by some that if stock are turned into a tield early in the 

 spi'ing such a taste is easily acquired. The plant has not been suf- 

 ficiently tested in Nebraska. Besides its possible forage vahie it is an 

 excellent bee plant. 



Velvet lean {Mucima vMlis). — An annual legume which forms long 

 trailing vines, and is much used in Florida for a green fertilizer and 

 as a forage plant. It has been recommended for growing much 

 farther north; but though it produces a good growth of vine it is less 

 valuable than the cowpea for the same purpose. This has not been 

 tested at the Nebraska Station. 



Sainfoin {Onohrychis mtiva). — A legume cultivated in Europe and 

 advertised b}^ most seedsmen in this country. The results of the 

 trials in Nebraska are too unsatisfactory to recommend it for use in 

 that State. In fact, there has been little success with this plant any- 

 where in this country. 



Panicum hulhosurn. — A native hay grass of Texas, and quite prom- 

 isino- for cultivation in the Southwest, but Nebraska is evidently too 

 far north for its successful growth. 



