LEGUMINOUS FORAGE CROPS 159 



would seem to be that, for the purpose of balancing the ration, 

 clover hay has a high feeding value for growing or milking 

 ruminants; but where the ration already has sufficient protein 

 for the needs of the animals, clover hay is not superior, and is 

 perhaps inferior, to timothy hay in feeding value. 



170. History. Red clover was not known to the ancient 

 Egyptians, Grecians, or Romans as a cultivated plant. It was 

 first cultivated in Media, now Persia. It was introduced into 

 Spain and Italy during the I5th and i6th centuries. During 

 the latter century it was introduced from Spain into Brabant 

 and Flanders. In 1633 it was introduced from Holland into 

 England, and in about 1770 into Pennsylvania, probably 

 from Germany. 



III. MAMMOTH CLOVER 



171. Characteristics. Mammoth clover (Trifolium pratense 

 perenne Hort.), known also as mammoth red clover, peren- 

 nial red clover, sapling clover, and pea vine clover, frequently 

 appears in American writings as Trifolium medium L. Zigzag 

 or cow clover (T. medium L.) is an entirely distinct species 

 and has never been known in commerce, probably on account 

 of its poor seeding habit. 



Mammoth clover is distinguished from red clover by its 

 larger and coarser growth, and by its maturing from three to 

 five weeks later. There are no constant and reliable characters 

 by which the mammoth clover plant or seed can be distinguished 

 from red clover. The chief differences are to be found in its 

 more perennial character, its later maturity, and its larger and 

 coarser growth. It produces but one crop each year, \vhich 

 seeds abundantly. This crop matures three to five weeks later 

 than the first crop of red clover. 



172. Advantages. Mammoth clover matures about the same 

 time as timothy. When red clover is sown with timothy the crop 



