406 FORAGE PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE 



is Trifolium elegans Savi, with rose-colored flowers and 

 other slight differences. 



In recent years the improvement of alsike by selection 

 has been undertaken at Svalof and other places in Europe. 



477. Agricultural history. Alsike has long been 

 cultivated in Sweden, probably as early as 1750. Its 

 spread into other countries was, however, quite recent. 

 In England and Scotland the first clear record is 1832. 



Alsike seed was distributed in the United States by the 

 Patent Office in 1854, but it was probably introduced 

 earlier. The plant was called alsike in Scotland as early 

 as 1832. 



478. Adaptations. Alsike clover is adapted to a wider 

 range of both climatic and soil conditions than red clover, 

 and nearly as great as that of white clover. It thrives 

 especially well in cool climates with abundant moisture. 

 It rarely winter-kills and often survives winter conditions 

 that destroy red clover. On the whole it is, perhaps, as 

 resistant to drought as red clover, but drought reduces 

 its yield greatly. It endures both cold and heat better 

 than red clover. 



It is not particular as to soil, provided abundant mois- 

 ture is available, thriving well on clay, clay loams, sandy 

 loams and muck soils. Unlike most clovers, it will thrive 

 even where the soil is waterlogged. On this account it 

 is also well adapted to growing under irrigation. 



Alsike is peculiar in that it will thrive where red clover 

 culture has dwindled on account of " clover sickness " ; 

 a trouble that seems never to affect alsike, and which 

 permits its frequent or almost continuous use on the 

 same land. 



479. Characteristics of alsike clover. It is a long- 

 lived perennial, fields enduring 4 to 6 years in good soil. 



