ALFALFA. 1 15 



flower will thus be hit and his body powdered with pollen. When 

 visiting another flower the same thing happens; the pistil comes in 

 contact with the pollen on the body of the insect. The pistil is thus 

 fertilized and more pollen is deposited on the insect. It is evident 

 that cross-fertilization must frequently occur. As an insect will 

 probably visit many flowers of a plant and travel from one plant to 

 another, an individual may be fertilized by its own pollen as well as 

 by pollen from another. Whether self- or cross-fertilization is most 

 beneficial has, however, not yet been proved. Should a flower not 

 be visited by any insect strong enough to open it, it will not be 

 fertilized, not being able to explode by itself. The production of 

 seed thus depends largely upon insects. The weather is also a factor, 

 the flowers being almost insensible in cold, rainy weather, whereas 

 in sunshine they will promptly respond to the slightest irritation. 

 In common Red Clover the stamens and pistil gradually resume their 

 original positions; as their elasticity is not affected by one or two 

 visits, there is always a chance for proper fertilization. In Alfalfa 

 there is no second chance; if an insect's first visit has no effect, the 

 flower will not produce seed. After the pollen has been discharged, 

 the pistil does not turn back to its original position ; its top remains 

 firmly appressed to the standard of the flower. It therefore develops 

 into a curved fruit, although it is perfectly straight so long as it is 

 enclosed within the flower. Its bending, which starts with the 

 explosion of the flower, increases with its growth, and when the fruit 

 is ripe it has the shape of a twisted shell. 



Geographical distribution and history : The home of Alfalfa 

 is Asia, probably the southwestern parts. It has been grown in 

 Persia from time immemorial and is perhaps the oldest forage plant 

 in the world. It was highly esteemed as fodder for horses, its Persian 

 name meaning horse fodder. From Persia it was brought to Greece 

 about 500 B.C., whence it spread to Italy. It was introduced to 

 western Europe by way of northern Africa. The Arabs carried the 

 plant to Spain in the seventh century. From Spain it was intro- 

 duced into France. It is now grown in all European countries 

 except the most northern. It was introduced by the Spaniards into 

 Mexico, whence it spread to the western United States and to South 

 America, and by the English and other colonists to the eastern parts 

 of North America. It is now cultivated all over the United States. 

 In Canada it is confined to small areas, southern Ontario and southern 

 Alberta being the two districts where it is grown extensively. 



Origin of name: Alfalfa is a Spanish version of the Arabian 

 "Alfacfacah" which means "The best sort of fodder." Some have 



