96 FODDER AND PASTURE PLANTS. 
CRIMSON CLOVER (Trifolium incarnatum L.) 
Plate 17; Seed, Plate 27, Fig. 29. 
Other English names: Scarlet Clover, Italian Clover, German Clover. 
Botanical description: Crimson Clover is an annual plant 
with a strong taproot provided with the nodules characteristic of 
all leguminous plants. From the crown of the root numerous up- 
right stems develop which reach an average height of one or two feet. 
They are soft in texture and covered with soft hairs. The leaflets 
are somewhat similar in shape to those of common Red Clover, but 
are shorter, broader, covered with short hairs and toothed in their 
upper parts. The flowers are in a prolonged, spikelike head which 
has a peculiar bluish green tint before flowering. The head, which 
is from one to two inches long when fully developed, contains a great 
number of flowers, the development of which gradually proceeds 
from the base to the top. The flowers are rich scarlet or crimson 
and somewhat longer than those of the common Red Clover. 
Geographical distribution: Crimson Clover is indigenous to 
Europe where it occurs in France, Italy, Spain and in the valley of 
the Danube. In many cases, however, it is doubtful whether the 
plant is really wild or has only escaped from cultivation. Its cul- 
tivation, which for a long time was confined to northern Italy, 
southern France and the country around the Pyrenees, is now rapidly 
spreading. The northern limit of the plant, which was approxi- 
mately northern Italy before its cultivation began, is now extended 
to southern Sweden. In America it is grown in practically all the 
eastern states of the Union, especially southward. In Canada it is 
only grown to a limited extent and is scarcely found except in southern 
Ontario and British Columbia, except as a cover crop in orchards. 
Cultural conditions: Crimson Clover is well adapted to poor 
soils. This may be partly due to its strong root system, which en- 
ables the plants to gather nourishment fromalarge area. On light, 
sandy soils, where Red Clover would not thrive, Crimson Clover 
may yield large crops. This is especially true if the plants are given 
sufficient lime and water. It thrives best on sandy loams which 
contain a rich supply of plant food, and on such soils, if the climate 
is favourable, it will produce a luxuriant growth. On heavy or 
moist cold clay the return is scanty. 
