30 



be fairly prominent. This is possible even without sowing the seed, 

 for when the rowen crop is usually harvested a portion of the heads 

 are commonly ripe. The seeds are scattered from these heads and 

 from these seeds each year come new plants. Accordingly, though 

 the older plants die, their place in the mowing is taken by the plants 

 which grow from these accidentally scattered seeds. 



Alsike Clover. 



Alsike clover was once supposed to be a hybrid between common red 

 clover and white clover. It is now known that this is not the case. It 

 is a distinct species. In characteristics, however, it is intermediate 

 between the common red and the white, showing a wonderful blending 

 of the qualities of the two. It has the upright habit of growth of the red 

 clover, though it is not so coarse. The head is shaped like the head of 

 the white clover, while the color of the flowers is pink. Alsike clover 

 is of much value in mowings, and seems to be especially adapted to 

 the stronger and moister soils, where it does better than the common 

 red. Being finer, it cures more easily than either the common red or 

 the mammoth clover, producing hay of very superior quality. It is, 

 moreover, of great value as a honey crop, for the honej^ bee can reach 

 the nectar in its flowers, which it can seldom do in the case of the red 

 and mammoth clovers. In a few respects, alsike clover appears to be 

 somewhat inferior to the red and mammoth varieties. In many cases 

 it does not persist so long, nor does it appear to yield so heavy a second 

 growth. The variety, however, is of such value that it should always 

 be included in mixtures of seeds for the stronger and moister soils, 

 where hay including clover is desired. 



White Clover. 



This plant is too well known to need description. Unlike the other 

 clovers it is perennial. Its ability to persist is due to the fact that its 

 stems creep upon the ground, rooting at the joints wherever they come 

 in contact with the soil. This clover is, therefore, constantly renewed as 

 a result of this habit of growth. This same habit renders this clover 

 less valuable in mowings than the others which have been spoken of. 

 In all permanent mowings, however, white clover will contribute greatly 

 to the yield and to the nutritive value of the product. In such mow- 

 ings, it appears invariably to come in naturally if the soils are adapted 

 to it and if the necessary mineral elements of plant food are abundantly 

 supplied. White clover is of great value in pastures. A turf in which 

 white clover is abundant is most highly relished by all classes of stock 

 and the feed is highly nutritious. The white clover, moreover, is much 

 the most valuable of all the clovers for bees. It secretes nectar abun- 

 dantly, and the honey made from it stands highest in our markets, being, 

 indeed, almost everywhere looked upon as the standard of excellence 

 among the different grades of honey. 



Varieties of the Different Species. 



Critical examination of either grasses or clovers in the field will reveal 

 the fact that the different plants exhibit considerable variation. In the 

 United States, wliile we have countless varieties of vegetables, grains 

 and fruits, we have thus far made little effors to produce select and 

 more perfect varieties of our different species of forage crops. We have 

 been satisfied to go on year after year sowing a mixed or average seed. 



