VARIATION OF RED CLOVER. 841 



**3tl. Seed from a known iind suitable climiito." 



The Professor tlien describes six of tlie loading varieties, none 

 of which are just like those I find in Michigan. 



Not long ago our seed^s of red clover came from Europe, and 

 already we have a great change in the plants. 



r have for some years past studied quite carefully in ditTerent 

 stages of growth, at different seasons and on different soils, many 

 hundreds of plants. I have preserved some of the plants and 

 seeds of a few of the most striking. 



There is nearly or quite a month's difference in the time of 

 first flowering, Some plants stool out and send up many stalks; 

 others few. On hot, dry days some plants wilt while others 

 show no signs of wilting. Some plants are tall and large or 

 slender ; others are short, even where the soil seems to be uni- 

 form. Some are erect, even where there is nothing to crowd 

 them ; others spread out at once, even where somewhat crowded. 

 The leaves and stems of some plants are densely pubescent; 

 others are nearly smooth, and between those are all gradations. 

 In this respect the same plant varies a little at different seasons. 

 The stems vary much in length and number of branches and in 

 the color. On some plants the leaves are dark green ; on others 

 light green. The leaflets often contain a light spot, which varies 

 in shape, size and intensity. Some are destitute of any trace of 

 spots. Some leaves are firm, and a quarter or more thicker than 

 others ; some are thin and fiabby. Some leallets are as broad as 

 long; others are elliptical — lanceolate. The stipules vary in 

 shape, color and position taken. 



The heads of fiowers vary in size and shape, and so far as seen 

 were sessile, with an involucre of two leaves. The calyx tube 

 and the lobes of the calyx vary in size and hairiness. 



The petals vary in length, direction taken, and differ in color 

 from dirty white to pink and bright scarlet. Varying with the 

 season, and probably with the plant, the pistils contain each 



