CHAPTER VI. 

 Legumes. 



Leguminous plants may be classed in three groups : per- 

 ennials, biennials and annuals. 



A few legumes are given in the following groups : 

 Perennials; Alfalfa, Alsike, White Clover. 

 Biennials; Red Clover, Mammoth Clover. 

 Annuals; Crimson Clover, Soy beans, Cow peas. 



Alfalfa. 



Alfalfa is one of the oldest plants known to history. It has 

 been grown in the old world for more than two thousand years* 

 and has been growing in some parts of the new world for sev- 

 eral centuries. In some countries it is known as lucerne. 



It has a long tap-root that goes far down in the soil for its 

 nourishment. The roots will go to a depth of many feet below 

 that reached by any other farm crop. 



Its high yielding and feeding value has been thoroughly 

 demonstrated by many experiment stations. In recent years 

 many experiments have been made by the stations in the United 

 States so that there is an abundance of available information for 

 those who wish to make a study of this important plant. 



It has been demonstrated that it can be grown on almost 

 any type of soil from light sandy or gravelly loams and mucks to 

 heavy clays, if they are well drained, sweet and supplied with 

 sufficient plant food. 



In Indiana, experiments conducted by the State showed that 

 in 378 trials conducted in five years up to 1911, alfalfa was suc- 

 cessful in : 



68 out of 83 trials in clays, 

 167 out of 188 trials in loams, 



69 out of 77 trials in sandy soils. 

 6 (81) 



