WHITE CLOVER. 107 
those in which it may have escaped from cultivation; and the fact 
that all undoubtedly native species of Trifolium are found only in 
British Columbia and that these form a group widely different from 
the European ones indicates that White Clover is not indigenous to 
this country but was introduced by the early settlers. 
History: White Clover was first cultivated in Holland—hence 
the name Dutch Clover. It is at present grown in all European 
countries and practically all over North America. 
Cultural conditions: It occurs naturally in meadows and pas- 
tures, along roads and rivers, in valleys and on mountains. It will 
grow on a great variety of soils, from sand and gravel to rich loam and 
clay. It does best on moist, well-drained loams which contain lime 
and humus. It will not succeed if the soil is too stiff or wet. 
Climate: White Clover is especially adapted to a rather moist 
and medium warm climate. When other conditions are favourable, 
it will endure severe cold without injury. It is also able to stand a 
long spell of drought, provided the subsoil retains some moisture. 
It is true that most of the roots are rather superficial and that the 
growth is therefore affected by dry weather; but the main taproot 
penetrates to a considerable depth, and the plants will survive with 
sufficient moisture in the subsoil. In Canada White Clover succeeds 
best in the Maritime Provinces, in the Great Lakes region and on the 
Pacific slope. It is not well adapted to the Prairie Provinces. 
Habits of growth: When once established, it covers the ground 
rapidly. The creeping stems branch freely, develop numerous roots 
and readily form large patches. The heads produce many seeds which 
fall to the ground and keep their vitality a long time. A few seeds 
dropped on the ground are thus able within a few years to make 
surprisingly large patches. This easy propagation accounts for 
much White Clover in places where it has not been planted and 
explains why it has been considered indigenous to Canada. 
Development is slow in dry weather but growth starts quickly 
when rain falls. If germinating early in spring, the plants generally 
blossom in the fall of the same year. The second and following 
years they produce an abundance of heads, which, if the plants are 
kept back by grazing, continue to appear during practically the entire 
season. 
Agricultural value: On account of its low growth, White 
Clover cannot be used to any extent as a hay plant. Its chief value 
