THE CLOVERS 271 



south as the latter. It is adapted to much the same types 

 of soil as red clover, although it is able to grow on soils 

 too wet for the latter to thrive. Another way in which it 

 differs from red clover is its ability to withstand a slightly 

 acid condition of the soil. It is therefore better adapted 

 than red clover to sections of the country having wet or 

 acid soils. In many parts of the clover-growing region, 

 the soils have become so deficient in lime that red clover 



FIG. 97. Curing clover hay in the cock. 



is no longer a sure crop, and it is being replaced in the 

 rotation to some extent by alsike. While alsike is grown 

 throughout the northern part of the United States, it is 

 of the most importance in the tier of states just south of 

 the Canadian line. 



272. Uses and cultural methods. Alsike is not usually 

 grown alone, except when grown for seed, but is most 

 commonly seeded in combination with other clovers or 

 grasses for hay or pasture. Because of its finer stems, 

 alsike hay is of finer quality and is more easily cured than 

 red clover hay, and because of the absence of the hairy 



