FOOD FOR LIVE STOCK 29 



in the same season, some of the clovers, notably 

 the more recently introduced alfalfa, are supe- 

 rior to the grasses proper. 



But in general clover and timothy are mixed 

 to form the hay crop, the clover growing densely 

 near the ground, and the timothy rising above it, 

 and the two making a blend that is found exceed- 

 ingly palatable by all herbivorous animals. 



The fragrance of new-mown hay suggests 

 palatability to the human senses as well, and 

 even though the hay crop furnishes food for man 

 only at second hand, no one would be likely to 

 question its wholesomeness. 



IMPROVING THE CLOVERS 



There are certain of the clovers, nevertheless, 

 that have a poisonous principle. Notable among 

 these is a form of sweet clover not distantly re- 

 lated to the alfalfa, which grows in some of the 

 States of the Middle West and produces an 

 enormous crop which would have great value 

 were it not that unfortunately the tissues of the 

 plant contain a considerable percentage of a 

 bitter alkaloid called brucine, which is highly, 

 poisonous, being closely related to the well- 

 known drug strychnine. 



A few years ago I received from Kansas seeds 

 of this plant, with the request that I develop 



