100 FODDER AND PASTURE PLANTS. 



Red Clover. Though it cannot reach the honey, it can reach the 

 pollen, and when securing this for bee bread it comes in contact with 

 the pistil and thus has an opportunity to assist fertilization. 



The result of the fertilization of the flower is the development of 

 a small, straight pod containing one seed. When fully ripe this is 

 released by the falling off of the upper caplike part of the pod. 



Red Clover and all other species of the genus Trifolium behave 

 in a rather peculiar way after flowering. Their flowers do not fall 

 off but remain withered on the head during the whole season, giving 

 the ripened heads their characteristic brown appearance. This pe- 

 culiarity makes it easy to distinguish the genus Trifolium from the 

 genus Medicago, the flowers of the latter not being persistent. The 

 pods of Alfalfa and other species of Medicago are exposed while 

 ripening, whereas the pods of Red Clover and other species of 

 Trifolium are not visible. 



Geographical distribution: Red Clover is a native of Europe, 

 southwestern Asia, parts of Siberia and northern Africa. 



History: It was introduced into culture comparatively late. In 

 Italy and Spain its cultivation was established during the fifteenth 

 and sixteenth centuries. It was introduced into Holland from 

 Spain during the sixteenth century and from there it made its way 

 to England during the first half of the seventeenth, the English name 

 being derived from the Dutch "Klafver." It was introduced into 

 North America during the last decennium of the eighteenth century. 



Cultural conditions: Being a resident of the temperate zone, 

 Red Clover succeeds best where the summers are not too hot nor 

 the winters too severe. Although the roots go rather deep, the plant 

 is injured by long and continuous drought. It needs sufficient rain 

 during the growing period to enable it to flourish during the whole 

 season. As Red Clover is rather cosmopolitan, a great number of 

 varieties, adapted to different climates, have been developed. The 

 suitability of a variety for a northern climate like that of Canada 

 depends to a great extent upon its hardiness. Chilean Red Clover 

 or other varieties originating in countries with a mild climate are 

 invariably killed by the Canadian winter, except in the southern 

 parts of the country. It is therefore important to secure seed of 

 northern origin. If possible, Canadian grown seed should be obtained 

 because as a rule homegrown seed gives the best results. 



