ALFALFA 315 



its relatively coarse, very erect stems ; its comparatively 

 large leaflets. Physiologically it behaves much like 

 Arabian alfalfa in that it begins to grow earlier in spring 

 and continues growing later in fall than ordinary alfalfa. 

 Partly on this account it is likely to be injured by severe 

 cold. Its large size and rapid growth make it a valuable 

 variety for California and Arizona. 



Variegated alfalfa. This term is applied to crosses 

 between ordinary purple-flowered alfalfa and the yellow- 

 flowered sickle alfalfa. In the .cross, a great variety of 

 flower colors appear white, cream, yellow, bluish-green, 

 smoky-green and purple. Variegated alfalfa is in some 

 other respects intermediate between its parents. It is 

 rather decumbent in habit, but has greater cold endurance 

 than ordinary alfalfa. This is partly due to its tendency 

 to produce rootstocks, a character inherited from its 

 yellow-flowered parent. 



Under the name sand lucern, variegated alfalfa has 

 long been grown in Europe, especially Germany, where it 

 enjoys the reputation of being superior for sandy soils. 

 In the United States, sand lucern has given excellent 

 results, being superior in both drought resistance and 

 winter hardiness. 



Grimm alfalfa is an acclimated strain of sand lucern 

 brought to Minnesota from Wertheim, Germany, in 1857. 

 In its half century of culture under severe climatic condi- 

 tions, it has apparently gained additional winter hardi- 

 ness through the elimination of the less hardy plants. 

 At the present time, Grimm alfalfa seed is the most ex- 

 pensive on the market, being greatly in demand for sowing 

 in states where the winter is very severe. 



Yellow, sickle or Siberian alfalfa occurs wild throughout 

 northern Europe and Siberia. The European form was 



