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‘REPORT OF THE BOTANIST. . 505 
_. It is adapted neither to very dry soils nor to those where there is stagnant water. 
Being of slender growth, rye-grass, rye, or cats are often sown with it, when it is 
to be mowed. Im fertile ground weeds are apt to diminish the yield after a few 
years, so that it requires to be broken up. It is generally sown in May, at the rate 
- _ of 6 to 7 pounds of the clean seed per acre. Sometimes it is sown in the pods 
- at the rate of 50 to 100 pounds per acre either in spring or in autumn after the 
cereals are harvested. 
Alsike sprouts but little after cutting, and therefore produces but one crop and 
one pasturage. The yield of seed is usually 130 to 170 pounds per acre. The seed 
separates more easily from the pods than that of ordinary clover, and as the heads 
easily break off when dry, care is required in harvesting. 
‘ It does not endure drought as well as the common red clover, but will grow on 
more damp and heavy soils, and it is said that it can be grown on land which, 
through long cultivation of the common clover, has become “ clover sick.” 
(Plate V.) 
FRENCH CLOVER (Trifolium incarnatum). 
% This annual clover is a native of Europe. It grows to the height 
of about 2 feet. The heads are about 2 inches long, very densely 
- flowered, with the petals varying from a pinkish to a crimson color. 
It has been introduced and tried to some extent for cultivation in 
this country, but has not met with much favor. It deserves trial, 
however, in the dry climate of the West. (Plate XIV.) 
MAMMOTH CLOVER (Trifolium medium). 
The true botanical position of the clovers cultivated in this coun- 
try under the names Mammoth, Sapling, or Pea-vine clover, etc., is 
still somewhat in doubt. They are usually regarded as being the 
above-mentioned species, but are, perhaps, a variety or varieties of 
the common red clover, Trifolium pratense. They agree in having a 
larger and later growth than the ordinary red clover, and on this ac- ° 
count are for some purposes more valuable. . 
The following records of experience may be relied upon for the 
‘localities mentioned: 
Prof. Samuel Johnson, Agricultural Coliege, Michigan: 
It grows too rank and coarse to make good hay. For pasture or for manurial 
purposes it might prove better than the smaller sort. When grown for seed it is 
usually pastured until the Ist of June, and then allowed to grow up and mature 
the crop. 
M. C. Alger, Augusta, Mich.: 
Pasturing until the 1st of June insures a larger yield of seed, as it is cooler while 
filling; but many do not pasture. I do not think it can be cut more years than the 
smaller kind. It is said to stand drought better, but I doupt that. It will give three 
times the amount of pasture during the season that is given of the smaller kind if 
kept down pretty close, but during the fall the amount of pasture produced is Jess. 
_‘ It is said to smother out in winter if a large amount is left on the ground. Another 
objection is that it requires cutting just at harvest time. 
‘ C. M. Alger, Newaygo, Mich.: 
I have raised the Mammoth Clover, but do not like it for my heavy land, as it 
grows too large. For every acre that I raise I have to buy or borrow two more of 
my neighbor’s to cure it on, It is, however, excellent for pasture, as it stays on the 
ground longer than the medium variety. It is good for raising seed, as 1t nearly 
' © always fills full. I have seen 8 bushels per acre. The seed is always grown on the 
flfst crop, as the second never blossoms. It grows here from 4 to 5 feet high and 
is good for plowing under for manure. 
AG 8? 20 
