LATER ORSKRVATIONS. 43 



At Carlton, Oreg., on Mr. F. J. Canfiold's farm, another late Russian 

 strain, resembling No. 16 in many respects, gave a very satisfactory 

 yield of seed. In this case only one crop, the seed crop, was har- 

 vested, the field having previously been pastured quite closely with 

 hogs and sheep until early sunnner. Although cut at the same time 

 as the earlier strains, the late Russian form indicated such promising 

 yielding qualities as to insure a large crop of seed with proper handling. 

 The need for having all strains ready to hull at the same time made 

 necessar}' the too early cutting of this strain, which was obtained from 

 Ufa and has been previously referred to in connection with the experi- 

 ment in Ontario. 



From the observations made on the seed production of clover No. 

 16, it is evident that the chief obstacle to the successful introduction 

 of the new variety into commercial culture rests on the fact that seed 

 true to type will be difficult to secure, and when it has been secured it 

 will require some time before a suflicient quantity will have been 

 propagated to sow any considerable area. For this reason it is sug- 

 gested that growers securing seed of this variety' from any source 

 whatever should devote the greater part of their field to seed produc- 

 tion. On account of its lateness it may not be possible, except in 

 southern parts of the clover region, where the seasons are long, to 

 secure both a hay and a seed crop in any one year. Therefore growers 

 in the North and Northwest are advised not to attempt to secure two 

 full crops, but rather to mow a light crop of hay late in May — say, 

 between May 20 and June 1 — and then allow the field to go to seed. In 

 sections where the practice of pasturing is permissible it may prove 

 more profitable to pasture the fields until about May 25 instead of 

 taking off an early cutting. The date of this cutting or of the pastur- 

 ing will of course vary in different sections. 



On account of the persistence of the leaves and the general charac- 

 ter of plant, the straw that remains after hulling clover No. 16 should 

 furnish considerably more feed than that of the hairy type of clover. 



The fact that the seedlings of the new clover are almost absolutely 

 free from hairiness may prove a help in determining the genuineness 

 of any sample. Where seed is purchased long enough in advance of 

 seeding to make it possible, the germination test could be prolonged in 

 pots for thirty days with a view to examining the seedlings. By this 

 time the ordinary clovers are very hairy, while No. 16 remains almost 

 perfectly smooth. 



The Department of Agriculture is making an effort to secure a new 

 importation from the same source as the original seed used in these 

 experiments. This seed when obtained will be planted for the most 

 part in large fields in order to secure a supply for use in distribution 

 and for experimental work. 



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