196 



JAPAN CLOVER. 



JAPAN CLOVER (Lespedeza striata). This plant, 

 supposed to have been introduced from Japan about 

 forty years ago, has assumed very 

 considerable importance over a 

 large portion of the Southern 

 States as a valuable forage plant. 

 It belongs to the leguminous 

 family. The leaves are trifoliate, 

 the flowers pea-shaped and pur- 

 plish, the seed-pods small, oval, 

 each holding a single seed. It has 

 spread rapidly and widely, till it 

 may now be said to extend from 

 the Atlantic to Western Texas, 

 adapting Itself to nearly all soils 

 and locations. On cultivated 

 lands of good quality it grows 

 erect and much branched, and 

 furnishes a very valuable hay. 

 On light sands and gravels it 

 maintains its dwarfish habit, with 

 a wiry growth like the knot-grass ; 

 rises to two or three feet and is 

 often called " bush-clover." It sends a long tap-root 

 down into the sub-soil, and that enables it to endure a 

 drought. Stock of all kinds are very fond of it, and 

 it is valuable for grazing as well as for hay. 



It is usually sown broadcast at the rate of half a 

 bushel of seed to the acre, and does well sown with 

 grain. 



Fig. 157a. Japan Clover. 



but on richer soils it 



