FOOD FOR LIVE STOCK 35 



which came from chance seedlings, but in no 

 respect equal to the well-bred type formerly 

 possessed. 



One of the clovers found on my Sebastopol 

 farm has the color intensified to a bright, rich 

 crimson, which has been reproduced exactly 

 from seed. This is probably a species introduced 

 from South America. A very marked tendency 

 to variation is shown by a large number of 

 clovers when brought to California from distant 



regions. 



THE COMING OF ALFALFA 



Doubtless the most important of the clover 

 importations is the plant that has become famil- 

 iar as alfalfa (Medicago sativa). 



This is a form of clover, of which there are 

 several species and almost innumerable varieties, 

 that is adaptable to relatively arid regions, inas- 

 much as it sends its roots to a depth of sometimes 

 ten or even fifteen feet in search of moisture and 

 nutriment. Such a plant, once it has attained a 

 fair growth, is almost independent of the rain- 

 fall for months together. Moreover, the vigor 

 of root of the alfalfa is duplicated by the comple- 

 mentary growth of its foliage, which develops so 

 rapidly and so persistently that it may be cut 

 three, four, and even five times in the season, 

 depending upon climate. 



