174 MEADOWS AND PASTURES 



was increased 11 bushels per acre, where a growth of this kind had 

 been turned down. We made a test with potatoes where a rank 

 growth of crimson clover and decaying peavines had been turned, 

 and found that we had not only gotten 18 bushels more potatoes 

 per acre, but they were much smoother, more uniform, and freer 

 from scab also." 



Bur Clovers. There are a good many species of bur 

 clover that have more or less value. Among those most 

 commonly seen are Medicago maculata and M. denticu- 

 lata. These annual wild clovers were found originally in 

 southern Europe, then naturalized in California, later 

 coming into more or less use in our southern states. In 

 California bur clover in the winter makes a lovely sight, 

 much resembling our white clover, only of more robust 

 growth. Animals eat it after they become accustomed 

 to it, though it is not at first relished. After the forage 

 is dry it seems better liked. In California it dries up 

 after the rains cease, and remains dry and yellow till 

 eaten during the long, dry summer. After it is eaten 

 the earth is found covered with the burry pods, which 

 are greedily licked up by cattle and sheep. The burs 

 of some species become entangled in the wool of sheep 

 and are more or less troublesome. Bur clovers are rela- 

 tives of alfalfa, and carry the same bacteria. They enrich 

 land on which they grow, as do all clovers, and, as they 

 grow in winter, have distinct value. Growing with Ber- 

 muda grass it is objected that animals do not eat the 

 clovers, and they tend to make too rank growth and to 

 smother out the grass in patches. In Louisiana I have 

 seen bur clover growing luxuriantly along the Missis- 

 sippi River, and have tried to establish it by sowing the 

 seed. It seems less easy to establish than crimson clover, 



