MAMMOTH CLOVER 219 



ular and trailing habit of growth in the stems, and 

 so of the others. The designation Cow grass is an 

 English term. 



Mammoth clover is a large variety of red clover; 

 in fact, the largest variety of red clover in America. 

 The plants are strong, stronger than those of the 

 medium red variety, and the stems are much larger. 

 They are softer than those of the medium red, which 

 to some extent may account for the less erect habit 

 of growth which characterizes it. The leaves are 

 usually destitute of the white spot found on those 

 of the other variety. The heads are also probably 

 larger and somewhat more open, but there is no 

 appreciable difference in the size of the seed. The 

 plants, notwithstanding, bear so much resemblance to 

 those of the common red variety that it is not easy 

 to distinguish them unless by the large size of the 

 plants of the former. The roots are larger and 

 stronger than those of the medium red variety, and 

 as a result have more power to gather plant food 

 in the soil. 



Mammoth clover is biennial under some condi- 

 tions and under others it is perennial, although it is 

 not usually a long-lived perennial. It has a 

 stronger habit of growth than the medium red, and 

 is, therefore, rather better fitted to thrive under 

 adverse conditions, more especially when it has once 

 obtained a hold upon the soil. It grows chiefly in 

 the first half of the season, and makes but little 

 growth, relatively, in the autumn, or, indeed, any 

 time the same season after the crop has been har- 

 vested for hay. In the Northern States it comes 



