TRIFOLIUM HYBRIDUM. ALSIKK CLOVEU. MT 



raise seeds to sell, and many tirncs this sued will llnally bo pur- 

 chuHed by farmers and sown, 8U{)[>osing it to he the early or 

 round leaved r(*d clover. 



In managing this plant, it should be understood that if left 

 without pasturing or mowing in 8])ring there will only be a small 

 crop of seed. 



Tltn'OMlM HYUUIDrM, 1-. ALSIKK ("LOVKK. 



Plant glabrous, ])orennial. Sfomx, branching, \-i ft. high, 

 ascending, weak. Pcliolvs long; leallcts obovate or oblong, 

 toothed. S/ipnh's rather long, nerves green. Ilvads about '^ in. 

 diam., glo])ular, flowers pinkish, pedicellate, recurved after flow- 

 ering; peduncles 2-4 in. Ckihjj' \s\\\ic, teeth green; i)od same as 

 in white clover. Found in Europe, North Africa, West Asia; 

 introduced into N. America. Its commoji name is derived from 

 a parish in Sweden. 



In apiiearance it is so nearly intermediate between red and 

 white clover that Linnaeus supposed it was a hybrid, and hence 

 its specific name. It is not a hybrid. Alsike likes rather moist 

 land, containing some clay. It is smootlier and more delicate 

 than red clover, and the stems are Avoaker, so much so that it is 

 quite likely to lodge. The stems renuiin green after seeding. 

 It does not stand dry weather well, is apt to winter kill, the flowers 

 continue for a long time and abound in nectar, which can be 

 reached by honey bees. 



Alsike clover has a good reputation for pasture and is a favor- 

 ite with bee-keepers. It frequently yields 3-8 bushels of seed 

 to the acre, and these are only half the size of those of red clover, 

 nence only about half as much seed is sown to the acre. This is 

 produced from the first crop, though it is often pastured a while 

 early in the season. It is two or three years coming to full size, 

 and does best for pasture when sown with some stout grasses. 

 The aftermath is very light. 



