302 CLOVERS 



enr.ial, but more commonly they are biennial. They 

 do not usually blossom the year that they are sown, 

 but may blossom within a year from the date of 

 sowing. For instance, when sown in the early au- 

 tumn, they may bloom the following summer. They 

 are exceedingly hardy, having much power to en- 

 dure extremes of heat and cold, and to grow in 

 poor soils and under adverse conditions. In some 

 soils they take possession of road sides and vacant 

 lands, and continue to grow in these for successive 

 years. The impaction of such soils by stock tread- 

 ing on them seems rather to advance than to hinder 

 the growth. They start growing early in the spring 

 and grow quickly, especially the second year. They 

 come into bloom in June, early or later, according 

 to the latitude, and ordinarily only in the year fol- 

 lowing that in which they were sown. Because of 

 the fragrant odor which is emitted from the plants 

 as they grow, they are sometimes introduced into 

 gardens and ornamental grounds. 



The uses of the plants are at least three. It has 

 some value as a food for live stock. It has much 

 value as a fertilizer. It has probably even more 

 value as a food for bees. It has also been used in 

 binding soils. Its value as a food for stock has prob- 

 ably been overestimated. It is bitter, notwithstand- 

 ing the fragrant odor that emanates from it ; hence, 

 it is not relished by stock, insomuch that they will 

 not eat it when they can get other food that is more 

 palatable. As hay, it is hard to cure and of doubt- 

 ful palatability when cured. As a fertilizer, its 

 value does not seem to have been sufficiently recog- 



