224 FORAGE CROPS. 



since it feeds deeply. It should be so prepared that 

 the weeds will not be superabundant while the plants 

 are yet young. The seed should be sown in rows 

 from two and one-half to three feet distant. The 

 ground must be kept free from weeds the first sea- 

 son by using the cultivator and also the hoe. And 

 it is recommended that cultivation should also be 

 given during subsequent seasons. But more expe- 

 rience is required before pronouncing definitely on 

 the necessity for such cultivation, and also on the 

 benefits accruing therefrom. There are good reasons 

 for continuing experimentation with this plant, espe- 

 cially in the southwest and south. 



SWEET CLOVER. 



Sweet clover (Melilotus alba) is so named, 

 doubtless, from the fragrance of the odor which 

 characterizes it. It is also frequently called Bokhara 

 clover. The two species, Melilotus alba, and yel- 

 low sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis) are closely 

 allied, but the blossom of the former is light colored, 

 while that of the latter is yellow. 



Sweet clover is a strong, vigorous growing 

 biennial. It is branched and upright in its habit of 

 growth. It is one of the most hardy plants of the 

 clover family. When once firmly rooted it has 

 great power to withstand drouth and heat, and it 

 can also endure low temperatures. Being a raven- 

 ous feeder it is able to maintain itself in soils too 

 poor to sustain other species of the clover family. 

 The writer has succeeded in growing sweet clover on 

 a vacant lot in St. Paul, from which several feet of 

 the surface soil had been removed, insomuch that 



