l82 THE FORAGE AND FIBER CROPS IN AMERICA 



Utah alfalfa, grown from Utah seed and said to be a hardy and vigorous 

 grower for arid and semi-arid regions; Samarkand alfalfa, a shorter, more 

 hardy and more drought-resisting variety. 



Turkestan alfalfa was introduced into the United States from 

 the arid regions of Turkestan in Asia in 1898 with the idea of 

 extending the northern limit of alfalfa growing in the United 

 States. It has been widely distributed and tried, but reports 

 are somewhat conflicting. In the eastern and humid states it 

 does not seem to be superior to common alfalfa. Reports from 

 the region west of the Mississippi River and north of the 

 fortieth parallel indicate that it is hardier and more productive 

 than that commonly grown there. It is said to endure drought 

 better, is less easily affected by freezing, and gives better re- 

 sults on strongly alkaline soils. It is claimed that the root 

 system is stronger, that stems are more slender and more leafy, 

 thus making hay of finer quality. These differences are not 

 sufficiently marked to be noticed by the casual observer. 



Grimm alfalfa is a strain that has descended from plants 

 which had survived about 20 years in the vicinity of St. Paul, 

 Minnesota. It is, therefore, recommended for sowing in north- 

 ern climates. It is claimed to be more thrifty and more 

 vigorous than common alfalfa. It is said also to produce seed 

 more abundantly. 



"Our common alfalfa presents two types, readily recognized 

 by the growers; one has a dark green color and narrow leaves 

 with red stems and usually deep violet purple flowers, while the 

 other has green stems and much lighter flowers. The former 

 is leafier and earlier than the latter, but is possibly a little less 

 vigorous grower. In the color of its leaves and habit of plant 

 the former resembles the Turkestan." 1 



205. Distribution. Alfalfa is cultivated more or less in all 

 countries of mild climate in the world. It is extensively culti- 

 vated in South America. 



1 Colorado Sta. Bui. (1906), p. 4. 



