SWEET CLOVER, ETC. 207 



is what has been known in the West as Buffalo Clover. I have no idea 

 whatever as to why it was called Buffalo Clover. Its scientific name is 

 Trifolium reflexuiii, and it is often found wild in Nebraska. It looks 

 when growing, much like common red clover, and has leaves and heads 

 of about the same size. The plants are a little more hairy than most 

 of the red clover and the heads have this peculiarity that when they have 

 blossomed the individual flowers bend down and turn brown in color. 

 This brown color is a beautiful chestnut and adds much to the appearance 

 of the clover. In fact it is these brown heads that one sees, and in this 

 way the plants are seen and attention is called to them. The plants 

 are mostly annual, sometimes, however, living for a greater length of 

 time and becoming perennial for short periods. While there is nothing 

 harmful in this clover, it has never yet been regarded as of sufficient 

 importance to be brought under ordinary cultivation. It is sometimes 

 grown as a curiosity and is interesting from this standpoint, but for 

 pasture or forage it has not been looked upon as of sufficient importance 

 to warrant anyone in attempting to cultivate it. 



Three Other Clovers. 



The one with rather large, long heads, which are silky hairy 

 is what is known as the Rabbit-foot Clover. Its scientific name is 

 Trifolium arvense. It is a rather common species in Nebraska, and has 

 on the one hand no bad qualities, while on the other it has no especially 

 good qualities to commend it. It is sometimes grown, but is really 

 not of enough importance to be brought under common cultivation. It 

 is a native of Europe and has come in along with the seeds of other 

 plants. 



The second species is also a wild clover. It has cup-like growth at 

 the back of the little heads and this distinguishes this species from the 

 ordinary clovers. I know of no common name for that one and it is 

 known in science as Trifolium cyathiferum. Like the one above it has 

 no bad qualities, but on the other hand has very little to commend it. 

 It is a wild thing which occasionally comes into cultivated grounds. 



The third species is the Low Hop Clover. It has very small yellow 

 flowers and after these have bloomed the flowers turn brown and remain 

 on the heads, spreading out rather widely. The scientific name of this 

 one is Trifolium procumbens, and is very common in Nebraska. This 

 has been very commonly regarded as a harmless weed and probably 

 It is such. It is a native of Europe, and has come to this country in the 

 seeds of other and more important plants. 



Every one may rest assured that he does not have anything to fear 

 in these three clovers. They will be eaten somewhat by cattle and other 

 animals, and they constitute a good forage as far as they go. As I 

 said, however, they are not of sufficient importance to be regarded as 

 forage plants of any great value. 



