ALFALFA ROOT STUDIES. 



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Turkestan alfalfa is characterized by broader, deeper set crowns, 

 acre numerous branch roots, and shorter, more tapering taproots 

 han the common and nonhardy alfalfas. The root system of this 

 ilfalfa is very similar to Grimm. 



Grimm alfalfa is characterized by broad, deep-set crowns and 

 iumerous branch and fibrous roots. There is almost no difference 

 n the diameter of the taproots of Turkestan and Grimm alfalfa, but 

 oth somewhat exceed the common and nonhardy strains in this re- 

 pect. They are also similar in the angle which the branch roots 

 orm with the taproot. This angle is greater than in the less hardy 

 arieties studied, but does not constitute a conspicuous characteristic. 



iG. 19. — New plants that have developed from true lateral roots of yellow-flowered 



alfalfa. 



''ibrous roots are distributed over the root system, and rooting 

 hizomes are well developed. 



The forms of Medicago falcata are characterized by broad deep-set 

 rowns and an abundant development of fibrous roots and branch 

 cots. They exceed all the other alfalfas studied in these respects. 

 Jrown branches and rhizomes are small and numerous. The angle 

 i divergence is greater than in the variegated and common alfalfas, 

 lased upon manner of growth, these alfalfas may be divided into 

 hree general classes : The erect, the prostrate, and the decumbent. 

 The erect plants have relatively small but quite distinct taproots 

 nd numerous small, slowly tapering branch roots. The prostrate 



