82 



mowed. In fertile ground weeds are apt to diminish the yield after a 

 few years, so that it requires to be broken up. It is generally sown in 

 May, at the rate of 6 or 7 pouuds of the clean seed per acre. Some- 

 times it is sown iu the pods at the rate of 50 to 100 pounds per acre, 

 either in spring or in autumn after the cereals are harvested. 



Alsike sprouts but little after cutting, and therefore produces but one 

 crop and one pasturage The yield of seed is usually 130 to 170 pounds 

 per acre. The seed separates more easily from the pods than that of 

 ordinary clover, and as the heads easily break off when dry, care is 

 required in harvesting. 



Jt does not endure drought as well as the common red clover, but 

 will grow on more damp and heavy soils, and it is said that it can grow 

 on land which, through long cultivation of the common clover, has be- 

 come " clover sick." (Plate 92.) 



Trifolium incarnatum (French Clover). 



This annual clover is a native of Europe. It grows to the height of 

 about 2 feet. The heads are about 2 inches long, very densely flowered, 

 with the petals ranging from a pinkish to a crimson color. 



It has been introduced and tried to some extent for cultivation in 

 this country, but has not met with much favor. It deserves trial, how- 

 ever, in the dry climates of the West. (Plate 93.) 



Trifolium repens (White Clover; Dutch Clover). 



This is a small perennial species, with prostrate stems which take root 

 strongly at the joints. It is said to be the shamrock of Ireland. It is 

 a native of Europe and Northern Asia, and has been introduced into, 

 and naturalized in, many other countries. It is said that, although in- 

 digenous in England, it only began to be. cultivated at the beginning 

 of the eighteenth century. On account of its creeping habit, when once 

 established, it soon covers the ground and spreads extensively. Mr. 

 Sutton, an English writer, says : 



It prospers on mellow land containing lime, and on all soils rich in humus, from 

 marl to gravelly clay. It does better in poor land than red clover. In early spring 

 it produces very litlle food, and the plant is bo dwarfed that it is practically useless 

 for cutting for a crop of hay. Still, perennial white clover forms an essential con- 

 stituent of every good pasture. All cattle eat it with relish, but it is-of less use for 

 the production of milk than of flesh, and is of special service in fattening sheep. It 

 is not suitable for culture by itself, and its herbage is better for cattle when rniugled 

 with other grasses, especially with perennial rye grass. 



A correspondent of Farm and Home says : 



Every pasture should contain some white clover. It will afford more feed at certain 

 times of the year than grass or auy other kind of clover. Ic will not flourish in damp 

 soils, or those that are very poor. It will do well iu a partial shade, as a grove or 

 orchard, but to make the highest excellence it should have the advantage of full sun- 

 light. It is easy to secure patches of white clover in a pasture by scattering seed in 

 early spring on bare places and brushing it in. One pound of seed is enough to start 

 white clover in a hundred places. The disposition of this clover is to spread 

 of the branches that run along the ground aud take root. 



