Legumes 183 



stem as in the vetches, in an umbel at the end of the branch 

 as in the red clover, or in a spike as in the crimson clover. When 

 arranged in an umbel or a spike, each of the single flowers has 

 the butterfly-like appearance. 



The leaves of legumes are made up of three or more leaflets 

 carried on a stalk, or petiole. Unlike the grasses, the legumes 

 have a tap-root, which varies in depth and in methods of branch- 

 ing. The fruit is a pod, or legume, and it is from the form of 

 the fruit that the family of plants derives its name. 



106. Uses of legumes. One of the chief uses of legumes 

 is for hay. Each section of the country has a variety that can 

 be grown profitably for this purpose. Legumes are valuable 

 hay plants because they are rich in protein. Hay from grasses, 

 on the contrary, is relatively poor in protein. In forming ra- 

 tions for live-stock, it is often advantageous to mix the hays 

 from the two kinds of plants in order to balance the protein- 

 content. Often the two are seeded together. 



In addition to use as hay, legumes occupy an important place 

 as pasture plants. White clover, where it will grow, is the most 

 valuable legume for pastures. It has the creeping habit and 

 when once established will soon spread, occupying much of 

 the land together with the grasses. It stands grazing well, 

 which is an important quality in a pasture plant. Japan clover 

 and bur clover hold much the same place in the South as a 

 pasture plant as white clover does in the North. Red and alsike 

 clovers are used for pasture purposes, but these plants are 

 grown principally for hay and the fields are used for pasture 

 after the hay has been cut. In some sections alfalfa fields 

 after the hay has been cut are used as pasture, especially for 

 swine. 



Legumes are also used in making lawns. White clover is 

 the chief sort for this purpose. Its seed is sown with the grass 

 seed and the plants come up quickly, occupying much of the 

 land the first season. In later seasons part of them disappear 

 and the grass becomes established. 



