344 CLOVERS 



with a much greater relish. The yields of hay are 

 said to usually exceed 2 tons per acre. 



The seed matures in September and October. The 

 methods of saving the seed have usually been of a 

 somewhat primitive character, as by hand when 

 saved in small quantities. But there would seem to 

 be no reason why the seed crop could not be har- 

 vested by the binder. 



Where alfalfa or cow peas can be successfully 

 grown, either crop would be preferable. But on 

 some soils these are not a success, especially when 

 the first attempts are made to grow crops. The 

 choice of hay may be one between a crop of beggar 

 weed and no crop at all. All are agreed as to the 

 renovation which it brings to soils; hence, when 

 grown or allowed to grow on unproductive soil for 

 a few years and then plowed under, the soil be- 

 comes productive. Since it grows late rather than 

 early in the season where the seed is in the land, it 

 will not interfere with the growth of the corn, but 

 will come on later, and thus exert a beneficial influ- 

 ence on the soil. But the fact should not be over- 

 looked that beggar weed once in the land has con- 

 siderable power to stay there. In other words, like 

 sweet clover, it has some of the characteristics of 

 a weed. 



BUFFALO CLOVER 



Buffalo clover (Trifolium stoloniferum) is a 

 native species procumbent in its habit of growth. 

 The leaves are most abundant at the base of the 

 plants. The flower heads, about an inch in 



