100 FODDER AND PASTURE PLANTS. 
Red Clover. Though it cannot reach the honey, it can reach the 
pollen, and when securing this for bee bread it comes in contact with 
the pistil and thus has an opportunity to assist fertilization. 
The result of the fertilization of the flower is the development of 
a small, straight pod containing one seed. When fully ripe this 
is released by the falling off of the upper caplike part of the pod. 
Red Clover and all other species of the genus Trifolium behave 
in a rather peculiar way after flowering. Their flowers do not fall 
off but remain withered on the head during the whole season, giving 
the ripened heads their characteristic brown appearance. This pe- 
culiarity makes it easy to distinguish the genus Trifolium from the 
genus Medicago, the flowers of the latter not being persistent. The 
pods of Alfalfa and other species of Medicago are exposed while 
ripening, whereas the pods of Red Clover and other species of 
Trifolium are not visible. 
Geographical distribution: Red Clover is a native of Europe, 
southwestern Asia, parts of Siberia and northern Africa. 
History: It was introduced into culture comparatively late. In 
Italy and Spain its cultivation was established during the fifteenth 
and sixteenth centuries. It was introduced into Holland from 
Spain during the sixteenth century and from there it made its way 
to England during the first half of the seventeenth, the English name 
being derived from the Dutch ‘‘Klafver.”” It was introduced into 
North America during the last decennium of the eighteenth century. 
Cultural conditions: Being a resident of the temperate zone, 
Red Clover succeeds best where the summers are not too hot nor 
the winters too severe. Although the roots go rather deep, the plant 
is injured by long and continuous drought. It needs sufficient rain 
during the growing period to enable it to flourish during the whole 
season. As Red Clover is rather cosmopolitan, a great number of 
varieties, adapted to different climates, have been developed. The 
suitability of a variety for a northern climate like that of Canada 
depends to a great extent upon its hardiness. Chilean Red Clover 
or other varieties originating in countries with a mild climate are 
invariably killed by the Canadian winter, except in the southern 
parts of the country. It is therefore important to secure seed of 
northern origin. If possible, Canadian grown seed should be obtained 
because as a rule homegrown seed gives the best results. 
