82 FORAGE CROPS. 



is better, therefore, to run some hazard from over 

 vigor in the growth of the plants than from insuffi- 

 cient development, since the loss is likely to be less. 

 On some soils it may not be necessary to pasture 

 thus to any extent. 



Observations. i. Mammoth clover is not well 

 adapted for permanent pastures, since it is not usu- 

 ally perennial in its habit of growth. Nevertheless, 

 it may be sown as a part of the mixture with the 

 expectation that it will live for two years and pos- 

 sibly for a longer period. 



2. This clover makes an excellent fertilizer to 

 plow under, because of the great bulk of the green 

 product that it furnishes, and because of the great 

 mass of vegetable matter in the root growth. When 

 grown for this purpose, it may be advantageous 

 sometimes to let it grow up until near the blossom- 

 ing stage and then to pasture off the more palatable 

 portions previous to plowing under the residue. 



ALSIKE CLOVER. 



Alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum) is distin- 

 guished from the common red or medium clover, 

 first, by the finer and more recumbent character of 

 the growth ; second, by the later season at which it 

 matures ; third, by its inability to produce much pas- 

 ture after the season of maturity; fourth, by the 

 pinkish rather than the blood red tinge which char- 

 acterizes its blossoms; fifth, by the much less size of 

 the roots; and, sixth, by its perennial rather than 

 biennial habit of growth. The roots do not go 

 down so deeply into the soil, hence it has less power 

 to withstand prolonged drouth on the uplands. It 



