142 CHAPTER IX 



Chinese. — Introduced comparatively recently ; has not yet 

 come into general use. A sativa variety, havmg somewhat 

 hairy leaves. Vigorous, early and late growth, and appar- 

 ently long lived. Excellent results are reported from the 

 Grootfointein Agricultural School. 



Variegated, Sand or Grimms'. — Is undoubtedly a cross 

 between sativa and falcata. The flowers are white, cream, 

 yellow, bluish-green, smoky-green and purnle. It is slightly 

 decumbent in habit, especially when widely spaced, but is 

 more cold and drought resistant than Provence ; this is prob- 

 ably due to its tendency to produce root-stocks. The crowns 

 are fairly sunken in the ground. It has not been tried to any 

 extent in South Africa, but may be of decided value, as it is 

 well adapted for grazing as w^ell as for hay. 



Yellow, Sickle or Siberian {M. falcata). — Is very de- 

 cumbent, crowns sunken in the ground; occasionally produces 

 rhizomes. It is relatively low-yielding, and shatters its seed 

 almost as soon as mature. It is very hardy, for w^hich reason 

 it is extremely valuable as a parent in crosses. It is grown to 

 a considerable extent in Siberia, but except in an experimental 

 way has not been grown in the United States, Australia, or 

 South Africa. 



Climate. — Lucerne is capable of withstanding great ex- 

 tremes of temperature, and has been known to survive a tem- 

 perature of 83 deg. F., as well as temperatures much higher 

 than commonly occur in the Union. As far as cold is con- 

 cerned, there are great differences in the resistance of many 

 varieties, but the lowest temperatures in South Africa would 

 not affect the vitality of any varieties. 



It is especially adapted to semi-arid climates. High 

 humidity wath high temperatures are detrimental to its 

 growth. Although lucerne will survive periods of excessive 

 dryness, its water requirement is very hiffh ; hence if large 

 yields are to be expected, the soil must be such that a large 

 quantity of water is available for the growing plants. It there- 

 fore responds more readily to, and will yield heavier crops 

 under irrigation than under humid or dry-land farming 

 conditions. 



Soil Conditions. — The heaviest yields of lucerne are 

 obtained on deep, open, alluvial soils, well supplied with lime, 

 and having a water table twelve to thirty feet below the sur- 

 face. Hence along river banks, where irrigable soils of this 

 nature are found, it is one of the most profitable of crops in the 

 Union. 



