VARIEGATED ALFALFA. 123 
Cultural conditions: It is of agricultural value only where 
the climate is too severe or the soil too poor for ordinary Alfalfa, 
as it inherits some of the hardiness of Yellow Lucerne. Its European 
name, Sand Lucerne, indicates that it is suitable for poor, dry soil. 
Climate: Its fame has been established by its ability to stand 
severe cold better than ordinary Alfalfa, which makes it of partic- 
ular interest to Canada. 
Agricultural value: The value of the primary hybrid for fodder 
is inferior to that of the ordinary Alfalfa; the yield is lower and the 
feeding quality isnot so good. The decumbent growth which it often 
inherits from Yellow Lucerne affects both yield and quality. The 
danger of lodging is greater than with ordinary Alfalfa, especially 
where the growth is rank. Its spreading habit makes it more difficult 
to cut, the mower being often unable to get below the stems. 
Varieties: On account of its hybrid origin, Variegated Alfalfa 
varies extremely. There are many commercial “‘varieties’ of a 
somewhat different agricultural value. The most famous and at 
present undoubtedly the most important of these is Grimm’s Alfalfa 
which is hardy for the Alfalfa-growing districts of Canada and the 
northern United States. Of special interest for Canada is Canadian 
Variegated Alfalfa, which, according to experiments conducted by 
Prof. C. A. Zavitz at the Ontario Agricultural College, is’ equal 
to Grimm’s Alfalfa and decidedly hardier than any ordinary variety. 
Grimm’s and Canadian Variegated Alfalfa, like all other varieties 
of Variegated Alfalfa, are by no means uniform but include plants 
of very different value. Some of them are like ordinary Alfalfa in 
growth and yield, others are like Yellow Lucerne. On account of 
this variation, there are great possibilities of obtaining by selection 
high-yielding varieties that will combine the desirable qualities of 
true Alfalfa with the hardiness of Yellow Lucerne. 
Behold the Flowers are divers in Stature, in Quality, and Colour, and Smell, and Virtue; and 
some are better than some; Also where the Gardener hath set them, there tney stand, and quarrel 
not one with another.—John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress, 1628-88. 
A noble plant suits not with a stubborn ground.—George Herbert, Jacula Prudentum, or Out- 
landish Proverbs, 1593-1632. 
Nor do I think that men will ever reach the end and far-extended limits of the vegetable kingdom; 
so incomprehensible is the variety it every day produces, of the most useful and admirable of all the 
aspectable works of God.—John Evelyn, A Discourse of Sallets, 1620-1706. 
