396 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



of sweet clover hay per acre is usually less than from alfalfa, but more 

 than that secured from the true clovers. 



PRODUCES SEED ABUNDANTLY. 



The yield of seed secured per acre is quite high when compared with 

 alsike and red clover. When sown broadcast a yield of from three to 

 five bushels of seed per acre is not uncommon and when drilled in rows 

 yields of from eight to ten bushels are sometimes secured. 



A VALUABLE HONEY CROP. 



Sweet clover has long been recognized by bee-keepers as one of their 

 valuable sources of nectar. The period of nectar secretion usually fol- 

 lows that of white and alsike clover. The honey from white sweet clover 

 is light in color, with a slight green tint and the yield is heavy. 



ADVANTAGES OP SWEET CLOVER. 



Sweet clover will grow on practically all soil types provided the soil 

 is not acid and is well inoculated. It will grow on soils that are so 

 low in fertility that alfalfa and red clover will not catch readily and 

 is a valuable crop to pave the way for alfalfa. Sweet clover is equally 

 as drought resistant as alfalfa and more so than red clover. It is 

 equally as winter hardy as alfalfa and red clover. 



Si'EciES OF Sweet Clover. 



There are three species of sweet clover. The biennial white is the 

 one commonly referi'ed to as "sweet clover" and has proved to be much 

 better adapted to Michigan conditions than either the biennial yellow 

 or annual yellow species. The biennial white has a white blossom, an 

 upright habit of growth and matures seed the second j'ear. The biennial 

 yellow has yellow blossoms, finer stems, is much more decumbent in 

 habits of growth and only yields from one-half to two-thirds as mnch 

 forage as the biennial white. 



Seed of the biennial white is sometimes adulterated with the seed 

 of the biennial yellow. This adulteration may be distinguished by the 

 dark purplish-green mottling and frequent purplish green spots on the 

 seed of the biennial yellow. 



The annual yellow is a small erect growing plant, producing seed 

 the first season and should not be sown in this State because of the very 

 small growth secured. The seed of the annual yellow is smaller than 

 that of the other sweet clovers. The annual white sweet clover (trade 

 name Hubam) produces seed the first year and is thought to be a strain 

 of the biennial white. 



Hubam has only very recently come into prominence and at this 

 time (1921) has not been tested sufficiently to determine its value. 



