176 



THE FORAGE AND FIBER CROPS IN AMERICA 



new stems arise both from the crown and from the remaining 

 portions of the clipped stems. Rather short, leafy branches 

 arise from the stems having a distinctly smaller diameter than 

 the stems from which they arise. The Colorado Station re- 

 ported the average 

 diameter of 300 

 stems at one-sixth of 

 an inch. The pro- 

 portion of leaves to 

 'stems at early ma- 

 turity is about 40 

 leaves to 60 stems, 

 according to the 

 Colorado Station, 

 while according to 

 the Minnesota Sta- 

 tion the nitrogen in 

 leaves and stems was 

 about 60 to 40. 



The lateral leaflets 

 are on the side of the 

 leaf -stalk, pinnate, 

 instead of at the end, 



Alfalfa plant taken July 1 7, six days after second cut- p a lmate as in the 

 ting. Picture shows stubs remaining from first cutting; 



stubs from second cutting with new shoots arising clovers, and readily 

 therefrom and new shoots arising from the rhizome; r 11 /v f1 1iri ' n p- r1ir _ 

 also shows rhizome branched and split apart. 



ing and handling. 



The leaflets are more elongated and pointed than in red clover, 

 and are quite variable in size, but are generally much smaller, 

 usually three-fourths to one inch long and three-eighths to one- 

 half inch wide. The veins of the leaflets end in more or less 

 prominent teeth. Although on close examination the vegetative 

 parts may be slightly hairy, the general appearance is that of 

 a smooth or glabrous plant. 



