IJ:GUMINOUS FORAGE CROPS 203 



ing tip of the radicle. The larger seeds of alfalfa are more 



kidney-shaped, and all alfalfa seeds are flattened and have a 



tendency to be angular, while the black medic 



seeds are distinctly circular and are uniform 



in shape, size and color (yellowish-green). 



(200) They are sufficiently distinct from red 



clover seeds in color and form to be detected Black medic (yellow 



readily. (150) f' foil) : f odo " the 



' V J - left; single seed on 



237. Seeding. The power of germination 

 is similar to that of alfalfa. It usually con- 



tains few impurities and is not adulterated. If sown alone, 15 

 to 20 pounds of seed per acre are required. Black medic seed 

 is sometimes sown in the pods, when about twice the amount 

 by weight is required. It should, however, be sown only in 

 mixtures in about the same proportion and under the same con- 

 ditions as white clover. 



II. BUR CLOVERS 



238. Bur Clovers. (Medicago maculata Willd. and M. dentic- 

 ulata Willd.), which more properly should be known as spotted 

 medic and toothed medic, respectively, derive their names from 

 the spirally twisted, conspicuous pods whose edges are armed 

 with one or two rows of prickles. In the toothed medic these 

 prickles end in a distinct hook. These pods or burs cause 

 trouble by getting into the wool of sheep. (201) In spotted 

 medic there are one or more dark spots near the center of each 

 leaflet. The plants have a general likeness to alfalfa, but are 

 more spreading. 



The bur clovers are annuals, native to the Mediterranean 

 region. Toothed medic has become widely distributed in Cali- 

 fornia and somewhat in the southern states, where it is con- 

 sidered valuable for pasture and for the improvement of the 

 soil. Spotted medic is probably less widely grown in California, 

 but has been grown somewhat more extensively in the southern 



