RED CLOVER. 105 



hairs. This hairiness makes the American type somewhat inferior 

 for hay, as it is apt to be dusty. Within either type numerous vari- 

 eties can be recognized, differing in such practical qualities as yielding 

 power, hardiness, maturity, stooling after cutting and duration. 

 Most varieties are merely geographical ones. Such names as Chilean, 

 English, Swedish, French, South or North Russian Clover do not 

 mean that the varieties are botanically distinct, but simply that the 

 seed is of a certain origin and that the plants are adapted to the 

 countries for which they are named. 



Mammoth Clover, called Cow Grass in England, is one of 

 the best known varieties. It has sometimes been called Trifolium 

 medium L., but this is not correct, Trifolium medium L. being a dis- 

 tinct species, clearly distinguished from Red Clover in many essen- 

 tials (see page 98). As indicated by its name, Mammoth Clover is 

 a large variety of Red. It is more decidedly perennial and has there- 

 fore been called Trifolium pratense var. perenne, or Peiennial Red 

 Clover. The stems are long, coarse and generally spreading. The 

 leaves usually lack the white blotch characteristic of common Red 

 Clover. This cannot, however, be used as a distinguishing mark, 

 as the common Red is often without the spot. Mammoth Clover 

 is decidedly later; it blooms from ten days to three weeks after 

 common Red Clover. It grows slowly after mowing and can generally 

 be cut only once in a season. It requires the same soil and climate 

 as Common Red, but on account of its stronger root system and 

 perennial tendency it is more apt to thrive under adverse conditions. 

 Its coarser growth makes the hay less relished by stock; on the other 

 hand, its greater luxuriance makes it a better soil improver. 



It is not possible to separate seed of Mammoth Red Clover from 

 that of Common Red. 



A modern improvement in this country is the laying their lands down with clover and trefoile 

 for two years, and keeping it fed well down with sheep, by which means many pernicious weeds whit h 

 used to trouble them greatly are got under, and their lands kept clean and in good order. Arthur 

 Voung, A Six Months Tour Through the North of England, 1769. 



Store of Bees in a dry and warm Bee-house, comely made of Firboards, to sing, and Bit, and 

 feede upon your flowers and sprouts, make a pleasant noyse and fight. For cleanly and innocent 1 

 of all other things, love and become, and thrive in an Orchard. If they thrive (as they must needs 

 if your Gardiner be skillfull, and love them: for they love their friends, and hate none but their 

 Enemies) they will besides the pleasure, yeeld great profit, to pay him his wages. Yea, the incri 

 of twenty Stocks, or Stooles with other fees, will keep youi Orchard. You ueed not doubt their 

 stings, for they hurt not, whom they know, and they know theii keepei and acquaintance. If you 

 like not to come amongst them, you neede not doubt them: for but neere theii st>>ir. and in tl.<ir 

 owne defence, they will not fight, and in that case onely (and who can blame themT tiny are manly 

 and fight desperately. William Lawson, .1 New Orchard and Garden, 1618. 

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