182 MEADOWS AND PASTURES 



it, one can grow either sweet clover or alfalfa; the sweet 

 clover may very easily be a forerunner of the better le- 

 gume. I am firmly convinced that there are millions 

 of acres in the United States that would be far more 

 profitable sown to sweet clover than they are today, for 

 they would then be made ready for corn or alfalfa, and 

 the sweet clover would yield honey, wool and meat, while 

 doing its work of soil restoration. Especially has it im- 

 mense value as a soil ameliorant. There are vast areas 

 now being reclaimed by irrigation that have most diffi- 

 cult soil, hard and clayey, difficult to irrigate and to till. 

 These soils are rich in mineral elements of fertilization. 

 They lack nitrogen and -humus, something to open them 

 and let in air and water. Sweet clover thrives on these 

 hard, lime-impregnated lands and should there be grown. 

 When it reaches full height it should be turned under, 

 Money could be made by saving a seed crop, too, as 

 sweet clover seed sells for nearly as high a price as alfalfa 

 seed. 



Yellow Trefoil (Medicago lupulina). I would not 

 mention this little clover only that it so often comes where 

 it is not expected, and causes owners no end of wonder- 

 ment. It is a small, creeping clover with a yellow bloom. 

 It is harmless and makes good grazing, though not very 

 much of it. In Europe, it is sometimes sown with intent. 

 In America, it is gotten only as an adulterant with al- 

 falfa or clover seed, chiefly with alfalfa. It may do much 

 harm in alfalfa by crowding the better plant while it is 

 young; otherwise it is not a weed, and the worst about 

 it is that one is deceived when one buys it and is de- 

 frauded. 



