CHAPTER XIV 

 THE CLOVERS 



PROBABLY no other group of forage plants is so well and 

 so favorably known throughout a considerable part of 

 the country as are the clovers. They are to be found in 

 meadows and pastures, in lawns and along the roadsides, 

 where with their sweet smelling blossoms and oval leaves 

 they are set forth in deep contrast to the odorless flowers 

 and long narrow leaves of the grasses with which they 

 are growing. The favor accorded them, however, is not 

 due to their beauty alone, for they are among the most 

 useful and valuable plants. The farmer probably thinks 

 first of all of their value and perhaps not at all of their 

 beauty. The clovers belong to the genus Trifolium of 

 the Leguminosce family. Often in common usage the 

 term clovers includes other members of this family that 

 do not belong to the genus Trifolium, such as alfalfa and 

 the sweet clovers. The only true clovers, however, are 

 members of this genus, and while alfalfa and sweet clover 

 are closely related to them, they may not properly be 

 classed as clovers. There are over 200 species of this 

 genus found growing throughout the world, and more 

 than 60 species are found in America. Of this number, 

 however, only those of agricultural importance will be 

 discussed in this chapter. 



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