QUESTIONS 185 



2. Comparing Clovers for Hay. Study the clovers with respect to their 

 leafiness and fineness of stems. Which ones will produce the best qualities 

 of hay? Which ones are objectionable in any respect? 



3. Collection of Legumes. Make collections of the different clovers, 

 drying, pressing and mounting as with botany specimens. Label each with 

 scientific and common names. 



4. Make minute study of the flowers of the different clovers and alfalfa. 

 By what means is each pollinated? 



5. Effect of Lime on Legumes. Make plot studies showing the value of 

 lime in growing red clover and alfalfa. An unlimed plot should be compared 

 with a limed plot in each case. 



6. Inoculation of Legumes. Make a similar study showing the need, or 

 lack of need, for inoculation. Use several different legumes, as alfalfa, red 

 clover and soy beans. These plot experiments may be either on the school 

 grounds, on a neighboring farm, or at the homes of pupils. 



7. Artificial bacteria culture for alfalfa or some other legume should be 

 obtained from the U. S. Department of Agriculture, and used according to 

 directions to inoculate the seed, or the soil, or both. 



8. Soy Beans Compared with Cow Peas. Compare samples of soy bean 

 plants with cow pea plants. Note the differences in smoothness of leaves, 

 sterns and pods. Which is more leafy? Which has the greater number of 

 seeds to the pod? Which develops its pods more uniformly? Which holds 

 its leaves longer? From which would it be easier to harvest a crop of seeds of 

 uniform ripeness? W'hich is probably the better crop for hay? 



9. Canada Peas and Garden Peas. Compare plants of Canada field peas 

 with the common garden peas. Note the differences. 



10. Japan Clover and Alfalfa. Compare plants of Japan clover with al- 

 falfa and with tall sweet clover. Note the similarity in leaves, and the differ- 

 ences in the size, height and woodiness of stems. Compare the flowers and 

 seed cases. 



11. Varieties of Vetch. Compare samples of different varieties of vetch. 

 Which ones are hairy? Which has the largest seeds? Which would probably 

 produce the largest yields of hay? 



12. Peanut Plants. Obtain samples of peanut plants in different stages 

 of growth. Note elongation of the flower stem just after pollination. At 

 what stage should the soil be left loose for the covering of the nuts? Examine 

 some of the underground parts a few days after the nuts are formed. 



13. Roots of Legumes. Make a large collection of the roots of legumes, 

 both wild and cultivated. If possible, see how many of these bear nodules for 

 bacteria on their roots. 



QUESTIONS 



1 . Give the characteristics of the members of the legume family. 



2. By what other names is this family known? 



3. Tell of the difficulties in growing red clover and how to overcome them. 



4. Compare alsike clover with red clover as a hay crop. 



5. Discuss creeping white clover as a pasture crop. 



6. Under what conditions would you use hay caps in curing alfalfa or clover? 



7. What are the special uses for which crimson clover is adapted? 



8. What is the best season for the sowing of alfalfa? How does this agree 



with the practice in your section? 



9. What is the importance of liming before sowing alfalfa? 



10. How may the soil for alfalfa be inoculated? 



11. Discuss the importance of cutting the alfalfa crop frequently. 



12. What are the signs indicating when alfalfa should be cut? 



