353 MEDICAGO. 



After repeated trials on a small scale the writer thinks it of 

 little or no value for Michigan. Prof. Gulley is of the same opinion 

 in reference to Mississippi. 



More recently, this clover has met with much favor in New 

 Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and regions with like climate. It 

 is £Owu in the fall and mowed or plowed under in May. 



MEDICAGO, L. MEDICK. 



Herbs with pinnately ;3-f oliolate leaves ; leaflets itsually toothed ; 

 stipules adhering to the peliote. FJowns small, in short spikes, 

 or loose heads, violet or yelloAV. rW///.^'-teeth 5, nearly equal, 

 keel obtuse, shorter than the wings. Stamens diadelphous, the 

 upper one free; anthers uniform. J^od small, with few seeds, 

 very much curved, or spirally twisted, indehiscent, often spiny. 



Found in Europe, W. Asia, N. Africa, introduced into N. 

 America. 



]tt. sativa, L. Lucerne, Alfalfa, Purple Medick, Chilian 

 Clover, French Clover, Spanish Trefoil.— An upright, deeply 

 rooting, smooth perennial, 1-2.^ ft. high. Leaflcfs obovate-ob- 

 long, toothed, tip notched. Flowers in a short dense raceme, 

 blue or purple ; peduncles longer than the leaves. Fod ^ in. 

 diam., spirally twisted. Origin not certainly known; now culti- 

 vated in Southern Europe and America. 



The common French name is Lucerne ; the Spanish name for 

 the same species is Alfalfa, a name which followed the plant 

 into South America and thence to Mexico and California and 

 the dry countries this side. 



It was known and prized by the Greeks and Romans 2,500 

 years ago, and was spoken of by Columella as the most valuable 

 plant for fodder. 



To begin with, there are a few things which the inquirer 

 should not fail to keep constantly in mind. Lucerne is *'a child 

 of the sun; " likes a rich loam or sand with a deep porous sub- 



