78 



variety. (The intense cold was accompanied by a heavy snow- 

 fall, which undoubtedly saved most of the plants. ) 



During- the tests made by the Hawaii Station in l')10-ll, this 

 variety did not yield as much seed or fodder as the Chilean and 

 Arabian, but it may prove valuable in some other ])arts of the 

 Territory where the conditions are warmer and dryer. It may 

 be also interesting to note that the Turkestan "is decidedly in- 

 ferior in the humid sections of the Mississippi River, but has 

 given somewhat better results than the ordinary alfalfa in the 

 semiarid i)ortion of the great Plains and in the Columbia Basin. ''^ 



4. Australian alfalfa. 



The so-called Australian variety is i)robably a strain of the 

 Chilian, which has been grown in Australia. Its foliage is some- 

 what darker and slightly more dense and fine than the latter, but 

 from all practical standpoints it is the same. 



The College of Hawaii has a plot of an eighth of an acre 

 planted to this strain, but it has not proven to be (juite as pro- 

 ductive as either the Utah or the Kansas strain. 



.-1. Prniiian alfalfa. 



Peruvian alfalfa is very much like the Arabian in its lack of 

 ability to withstand cold and drought. It is more woody than the 

 latter and has proved to be inferior to other varieties in the North 

 Western States, but is highly recommended by the Department of 

 Agriculture"* for the Southwest. 



It has been planted at the Hawaii Station. Ijut no re])orts as to 

 its merits have been published. 



6. Ecuador alfalfa.'' 



The Ecuador variety originated in the mountains at about 9000 

 feet elevation. It starts a little slower than other varieties, but 

 soon maintains a fast, steady, vigorous, erect growth. It is quite 

 jirofusely covered with hairs and is readily distinguished by its 

 very dark green color. The stems arc coarser and nmrc rigid 

 than usual. It seems to be more woody than most ol the others, 

 with a less amoimt of foliage, and withstands well the changes in 

 temperature but does not \'\v]t\ as well as the others. 



7. Tril^dli or .lli:;rriaii ami Oa.'ii.'i. 



'ihe 'i"rii)oli or .\lgerian and ( )asis varietii's are not easily 

 winter killed, but grow very slowly and are ot' a i)ale, siekh color, 



" FurnHTs' liiillclin .'i.'tO. 

 * N'cv. Sill. Ki-pi.rt I !•<»!», 

 f' Ni-v. Htn. Kcport l!M)!t. , 



