324 FORAGE PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE 



variegated alfalfa in England in 1791 by Le Blanc, who 

 states that he preferred this variety because of its greater 

 ability to withstand cold and also to resist choking by 

 grasses. 



Under Colorado conditions, Blinn found that Arabian 

 and North African strains of alfalfa, when planted in hills, 

 suffered a loss of over one-half from winter-killing. Under 

 the same conditions, strains from Mexico, Spain and 

 South America also showed considerable loss, while 

 Turkestan and Grimm alfalfa plants all survived. In 

 connection with the last two varieties, the production of 

 rootstocks is noted, and Blinn believes that winter hardi- 

 ness is largely associated with this habit. 



387. Shoots. A well-developed alfalfa plant has 

 from 20 to 50 erect or suberect leafy branched shoots, 

 which usually grow to a height varying from 18 to 36 

 inches. The form of the leaflets, as well as the degree of 

 leafiness, vary considerably. In different varieties the 

 stem varies from very hairy to nearly smooth. It may 

 be either green or purplish. 



Under its natural conditions of environment namely, 

 a dry summer -season alfalfa produces but a single 

 crop of stems, these drying as the seeds ripen. In a humid 

 climate, however, a new crop of shoots begins to develop 

 about the time the plant reaches full bloom, and this 

 militates strongly against seed-production. In arid cli- 

 mates where irrigation is practiced, the development of 

 the new shoots can be controlled by supplying or with- 

 holding water. 



There seems to be no limit to the number of crops of 

 shoots an alfalfa plant will produce under favorable con- 

 ditions. Only when an unfavorable condition of cold or 

 drought intervenes does growth cease. 



