426 BOAED OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



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 com- 

 mon 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 honey 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 mowings 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 abundantly, 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, while we have countless varieties of vegetables, 



