TRIFOLIUM HYBRIDUM. ALSIKE CLOVER. 347 



raise seeds to sell. ai\(l niiiny times this seed will finally be pur- 

 chased by farmers and sown, supposing it to be the early or 

 round leaved red clover. 



In managing this plant, it should be understood that if left 

 without pasturing or mowing in spring there will only be a small 

 crop of seed. 



TRIFOLIUM HYBRIDUM, L. ALSIKE (U.OVEK. 



Plant glabrous, perennial. Sterna, branching, 1-3 ft. high, 

 ascending, weak. Petioles long; leaflets obovate or oblong, 

 toothed. Stipules rather long, nerves green. Heads about f in. 

 diam., globular, flowers pinkish, pedicellate, recurved after flow- 

 ering ; peduncles 2-4 in. Calyx white, teeth green ; pod same as 

 in white clover. Found in Europe, North Africa, West Asia; 

 introduced into N. America. Its common name is derived from 

 a parish in Sweden. 



In appearance it is so nearly intermediate between red and 

 white clover that Linnaeus supposed it was a hybrid, and hence 

 its specific name. It is not a hybrid. Alsike likes rather moist 

 land, containing some clay. It is smoother and more delicate 

 than red clover, and the stems are weaker, so much so that it is 

 quite likely to lodge. The stems remain green after seeding. 

 It stands dry weather well, is not apt to winter kill, the flowers 

 continue for a long time and abound in nectar, which can be 

 reached by honey bees. 



Alsike clover has a good reputation for pasture and is a favor- 

 ite with bee-keepers. It frequently yields 3-8 bushels of seed 

 to the acre, and these are only half the size of those of red clover, 

 nence only about half as much seed is sown to the acre. This is 

 produced from the first crop, though it is often pastured a while 

 early in the season. It is two or three years coming to full size, 

 and does best for pasture when sown with some stout grasses. 

 The aftermath is very light. 



