HAY AND PA8^TWR0^ C^pP'S ,' -/ * V' 



101 



may appear in the field the third year; but this is largely 

 due to seeds formed the first or second year of the clover's 

 growth, or to clover seeds starting that failed to grow the 

 first year. This variety of clover is especially adapted to 

 rotation pastures and meadows. Considerable trouble is 



experienced in curing this 

 variety of hay, as the 

 thick stems contain so 

 much juice that in trying 

 to dry them the leaves, 

 which are very thin, are 

 liable to become too dry 

 and shatter off when the 

 hay is handled. 



Alsike Clover is small- 

 er than medium red clo- 

 ver, has smaller, more 

 oblong leaves without 

 white markings, and 

 there are no hairs on its 

 stems. The blossoms are 

 smaller and lighter col- 

 ored, nearly white at 

 first and later pink. 

 The seed is much smaller and darker colored than the seed 

 of medium red. Alsike clover makes a better quality of 

 hay than the red clover, because it is free of hairs and finer; 

 but, as a rule, it does not yield so much on upland. It is 

 a perennial, that is, it lives for several years unless some 

 unfavorable conditions kill it. On this account it is more 

 valuable for permanent pasture or meadow than the medium 

 red. It is quite well adapted for low wet places, as it will 

 stand more water than the red clover. 



White Clover is a very small, low growing plant with 

 a tendency to trail along on the ground. It has small, 

 nearly round, smooth leaves and smooth stems. The seed 

 is a little smaller than alsike clover seed and is yellowish 

 in color. It is a perennial. The stems creep along on the 

 ground and take root at the joints, thus starting new plants. 

 It spreads in this way as well as by the seeds. The blossoms 



Figure 43. — Leaves and stems of clover. 

 1. Medium red. (Note markings on leaf- 

 lets, also hairs on stems.) 2. White. 

 (Note smooth stem and small leaflets.) 

 3 Alsike. (Note smooth stem and smooth 

 leaflets with prominent midrib.) 



