212 SOILING CROPS AND THE SILO. 



four to five bushels of seed are used per acre. Much 

 care is necessary in saving the seed, as it shatters 

 out easily and it also heats readily when stored. 

 The loss in germinating power in the seed when 

 it is thus managed is responsible for many failures 

 in growing this crop. 



Trefoil. Trefoil (Medicago lupulina) some- 

 times called yellow clover is of several varieties. 

 There are but few places in America in which it 

 has come markedly into favor. Like white clover 

 (Trifolium repens)it is of wide distribution, but 

 the localities are still very numerous in this country 

 in which trefoil has not been tried. It has much 

 affinity for limestone soils when once introduced 

 into these. So persistent is it oftentimes in its 

 habit of growth that it is in a sense troublesome 

 where growing crops are to be cultivated. 



Trefoil is recumbent in its habit of growth, and 

 in many localities it is a diminutive plant, but in 

 congenial soils it attains a considerable size. It is 

 more commonly grown along with various other 

 plants in pastures that are intended to be permanent 

 in character. Its ability to maintain itself in these 

 helps to increase its value as a pasture plant. Be- 

 cause of want of bulk in the growth produced, tre- 

 foil is not likely to become popular as a hay plant or 

 as a soiling food. But doubtless there are areas 

 in the United States and in Canada where it would 

 pay to sow more or less of the seed of trefoil along 

 with other clover seed that is sown to furnish soil- 

 ing food. When thus grown it would add to the 

 bulk and to the fineness of the growth in the crop. 

 It may yet be sown on the western slopes of Oregon 



