296 FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 



it was well worth trying, that is all I can say. I would not try these things 

 in a large way, but I would get a little seed and try it in a small way; but 

 without any experiment you can see that no one can tell just what is best to 

 do. For hay, farmers are generally disappointed in it, as it is very apt to 

 lodge. 



Mr. Fauble : I have tried it in a small way. It grows very strong and 

 vigorous; the roots grow very deep in the ground and are large, but the 

 stems are slender and it is apt to lodge and rot in consequence. 



Mr. Beal: Lives over winter pretty well? 



Mr. Fauble : Well, yes. I have just tried it on a small scale. 



Dr. Manly Miles: Alsike is very uncertain as to succeeding in any par- 

 ticular locality where it has not been tried. I find some persons who are 

 very much pleased with it and say they have got a good crop; but I have 

 tried it many times and never got a good crop, and should judge that for this 

 locality the common red clover was better. 



Mr. Willits: Can somebody tell us what white clover will do? 



Mr. Groves : I have sowed it with orchard grass right here by our village ; 

 it remained in two winters and lived as well as the orchard grass did, and 

 orchard grass is one of our best kinds. 



Mr. Kose : I would like to have the professor discuss the merits of Alfalfa 

 for our country? 



Mr. Beal : It is not a promising kind where other clovers will grow. It is 

 a child of the sun, doing the best in hot countries. We have tried it at the 

 Agricultural College and it does pretty well where the soil is deep and porous. 

 It is especially adapted to dry regions. It is not worth trying on land you 

 intend to plow up in two or three years, as it takes some years to get estab- 

 lished ; but if it is put in with care, and not pastured until it gets well 

 established, it will stand for a number of years and stand well. It needs to 

 be mowed two or three times a year or else the stems become woody. I would 

 not recommend it for this country. 



Mr. Willits: I would like to know the experience of the farmers as to 

 whether there is any diflBculty in keeping clover growing. As we have been 

 turned out to grass, let's have a nibble at it. 



Mr. Lound : If the ground is not entirely run down before the clover is 

 put in, it will take hold and grow. June clover does well and mammoth 

 clover does better and with a good sod, turned in, the soil will raise nice 

 crops. 



Dr. Beal: Early clover or what many farmers call medium red clover, is 

 a biennial plant and therefore will not do much in one year, nor last well 

 more than two years. 



Oat grass and rye grass are not natives and do not grow wild here. The 

 latter runs out in a short time on our lawns. ' 



Tuesday A. M., February 1, 1887. 



Mr. Steckert, being unable to be present, sent the following letter, which 

 was read : 



