336 DRY LAND FARMING 



ly impregnated with alkali, and in its growth on these 

 soils much of the alkali is removed, thus preparing the 

 way for crops possessed of higher economic food value. 

 (3) It will grow well at high altitudes, which means that 

 the area in which it may be successfully grown is very 

 wide. (4) It is one of the most valuable of the nitrogen 

 gathering of the legumes. Its ability to draw nitrogen 

 from the atmosphere and to deposit the same in the soil 

 is in a sense unrivalled. (5) The nodules that live on 

 the roots are essentially the same as those which feed 

 alfalfa plants, hence sweet clover may be made the fore- 

 runner of alfalfa. (6) It will produce a large amount of 

 green manure for being buried in the soil. On soils 

 that are strongly impregnated with alkali this pro- 

 duction is simply beneficent. (7) Stock, which may not 

 eat it at first, will at length become fond of it, notwith- 

 standing the bitter principle which it contains, and will 

 thrive on it. (8) It is most persistent in its habit of 

 growth, more -so, probably, than any other plant grown 

 in dry areas. 



The prejudice that has led this plant to be regarded 

 as a weed is not well founded. It has arisen, doubt- 

 less, from the fact that, because of a bitter principle which 

 it contains, live stock do not relish it, but they may be 

 trained to feed upon it with satisfaction. The place that 

 may yet be assigned to it is a large one in dry areas, 

 not only in providing food for live stock under hard con- 

 ditions, but also in removing an excess of alkali from the 

 soil. This plant is also one of the best honey plants 

 that can be grown. 



Soils. Sweet clover will thrive on soils that are low 

 in the elements of plant food and that are firm in texture. 

 In fact it seems to thrive better on soils that are firm in 

 texture than on those that are loose and spongy. It is a 

 plant that would seem to thrive best under hard condi- 

 tions, notwithstanding the violence which such a state- 



