316 FORAGE PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE 



formerly cultivated to a slight extent in Sweden and else- 

 where in Europe. The yield, however, is* small on account 

 of its usually decumbent habit and the lack of aftermath, 

 and the stems early become woody. The seed is expensive 

 because it shatters readily. 



Several forms from Siberia have been introduced into 

 the United States in recent years, especially with the end 

 in view of securing hardier alfalfas for Dakota, Montana, 

 and other states with cold winters. Some of these Sibe- 

 rian strains are erect or nearly so, while others have a 

 remarkable development of rootstocks. It is not unlikely 

 that some of these may prove highly valuable, provided 

 seed can be grown satisfactorily. In any case, they offer 

 high promise for breeding work. 



378. Importance of the varieties. Thus far, regional 

 or other varieties have been of relatively small importance. 

 At least 95 per cent of the alfalfa of the United States 

 may be called ordinary alfalfa. Most of the seed is either 

 American grown, or imported from Turkestan. The 

 Turkestan alfalfa is slightly more resistant to both cold 

 and drought. Variegated alfalfa, especially the Grimm 

 strain, is . decidedly more cold resistant than ordinary 

 alfalfa, and with cheaper seed will come into much larger 

 use, especially in the northern tier of states. Peruvian 

 alfalfa is more valuable than common alfalfa in the south- 

 western states, owing to its large size and rapid growth, 

 but as yet it is not largely cultivated. Arabian alfalfa 

 lasts only about two years, and in spite of its very rapid 

 growth, this has militated against its use. 



It is altogether likely that in the further development of 

 alfalfa culture, improved varieties will occupy a more 

 prominent place, especially such as are cold enduring or 

 which produce large seed crops. 



