OTHER CLOVERS 407 



The stems are erect or ascending when crowded, but in 

 isolated plants are spreading. The herbage is smooth and 

 decidedly more leafy than red clover. The hay consists 

 of about 60 per cent leaves and 40 per cent stems. Werner 

 records 168 leaves on 8 branches, with a total flat surface 

 of 504 square centimeters. Under favorable conditions 

 it reaches a height of 2J feet in the mass, but is usually 

 less. On account of the dense growth the lower leaves are 

 apt to decay, especially where growing in wet land. The 

 root system is relatively shallow, and on this account the 

 plant does not well withstand drought. 



Hays at the Minnesota Experiment Station found that the 

 tap root after one month was 9J inches long and after two 

 months more than 2 feet. It does not remain prominent as 

 many of the secondary roots become as large. The mass of 

 roots is greater at the same age than that of red clover. 



The growth begins later in spring than red clover, 

 and the blooming time is also somewhat later. .Isolated 

 plants often measure one foot in diameter, and in closely 

 grazed pastures resemble white clover somewhat in habit. 



480. Regional strains. There is but very little dif- 

 ference in alsike, depending on the source from which seed 

 is obtained, according to the results secured by Stebler 

 and Volkart in Switzerland. Plots sown with American 

 seed gave slightly better results the first year, but in the 

 second year the results showed no definite superiority. 



In extensive trials at the Danish Experiment Station 

 the relative yields of regional strains were as follows : 

 Swedish, 100; Rhine, 98; English, 97; German, 91; 

 Canadian, 83 ; American, 80. 



481. Importance. Alsike clover has been growing 

 in importance in America in recent years, mainly because 

 it succeeds well on land that will no longer grow red clover 



