THE SELECTION OF GRASSES AND CLOVERS. 71 



Trifolium hybridum {Ahike Clover). — Altlioiigli this plant 

 was named by Linnaius, tliere is reason to doubt whetlier it is a 

 hybrid between Eed and White Clover, as is generally assumed. 

 The common name of Alsike is derived from the village of Syke, 

 near Upsala in Sweden, where it has been grown with great suc- 

 cess ; but the plant is indigenous in Southern Europe, although 

 it does not appear to have been cultivated until after the example 

 was set in Sweden, whence it reached this country. 



Alsike Clover is a true perennial, and on the greensand forma- 

 tion it comes up year after year where once it has been sown. On 

 some light soils it is not so permanent. Were it not for the 

 surface growth, and the consequent inability to withstand drought, 

 this plant would take a more important position in agricultural 

 operations than Broad Clover, especially as it will often grow 

 on clover-sick land. 



Alsike Clover is peculiarly adapted for damp soils. It is 

 decidedly more productive in wet than in dry seasons, endures 

 heat and cold well, will succeed in undrained clays better 

 than any other variety, and is the only clover that will stand 

 irrigation. On damp soils if the crop becomes laid there is a 

 danger of its rotting at the base, and then, if possible, it should 

 be promptly cut. 



For meadows, Alsike Clover is far superior to White Clover, 

 as it produces a crop tall enough for the scythe, and materially 

 adds to the total weight of hay. It also produces more keep 

 and is better relished than White Clover. On some soils it will 

 grow quite as much herbage as Red Clover, although it is not 

 so stalky, the vegetation being principally composed of leaves, 

 and therefore care is requisite in the process of making hay, 

 or the leaves get broken off and lost, especially as the plant 

 is more succulent than Eed Clover and takes longer to make 

 into hay. 



The time of flowering approximates to that of Cow Grass, 

 and the nutritive value is hio^hest at the flowerino- staf^e. The 

 plant is not hasty in getting old and pithy, as is the case with Red 



