THIRTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART XII 707 



that state, it derives its nanie from the man who brought it, in 1857, 

 from Wertheim, Province of Baden, Germany, It was seeded upon Mr. 

 Grimm's farm where it was grown continously for many years without 

 much notice. 



Gradually, however, farmers in the community came to realize that 

 while other fields of alfalfa in the county were killed by the severe cold, 

 the "Grimm alfalfa" survived. Many tests conducted since have shown 

 it to be more immune to severe winters than almost any other type. The 

 fact that it can be grown far north in exposed locations, where the ordi- 

 nary type winter kills, is of great importance. 



Under very favorable conditions and on very rich soil Grimm alfalfa 

 may lodge more or less, though in the semi-arid regions in parts of the 

 Dakotas and Montana this tendency has not been observed. It does not 

 make quite so rapid or rank and vigorous a growth as the common Ameri- 

 can alfalfa and in an average season it may not give quite so heavy a 

 yield of hay. 



Arabian Alfalfa. — This type is more vigorous and productive than the 

 ordinary alfalfa, but is unable to withstand the cold, and for this reason 

 its successful growth is confined to such states as California, Texas, 

 Arizona, New Mexico, etc. Here it is of special value, producing a more 

 vigorous and productive growth than the ordinary alfalfa, with a more 

 upright plant bearing larger stems with somewhat hairy leaves. 



Peruvian Alfalfa.— This is another alfalfa introduced by the United 

 States Department of Agriculture. It makes a very erect growth with 

 stems larger and taller than the common American or the Arabian alfalfa, 

 and is more productive than either of them. It produces fewer stems 

 from each culm as a usual thing, but this is not objectionable where a 

 good stand is maintained. Its value is limited in the United States 

 since it lacks hardiness because of its development in the more temperate 

 climates, and its growth is therefore necessarily confined to the warmer 

 sections. 



German Alfalfa.— The German alfalfa is somewhat similar in general 

 habit of growth to the Turkestan, though the leaves are possibly a little 

 broader and smoother and the stems a little more succulent. In com- 

 parisons of yield in the West, the German seems to be slightly superior 

 to the Turkestan under favorable conditions, though not exceeding the 

 American. It would seem that this alfalfa is apparently not so able 



Sand Lucerne AZ/aZfa.— Botanically the Sand Lucerne is supposed to be 

 a cross between the common alfalfa and the yellow Lucerne; it is prob- 

 ably hardier than the former. It has a wider range of adaption than 

 ordinary alfalfa and may grow in the humid regions under conditions 

 ordinarily unfavorable for the successful production of alfalfa. 



Where alfalfa can be grown, however, the Sand Lucerne has no par- 

 ticular advantages, but rather is somewhat inferior. It has a tendency 

 to lodge badly, especially when the conditions for growth are most 

 favorable. The seed commonly offered on the market as Sand Lucerne is 

 probably common alfalfa seed grown on sandy soils in northern and 

 central Europe. 



