266 FIELD CROP PRODUCTION 



done by rolling down the plants with a heavy roller a few 

 days before harvesting the seed. At this time the plants 

 are nearly mature, and the main stems will not straighten 

 up again, but in a few days the ends of the branches bear- 

 ing the heads will turn upward, and they may then be cut 

 off without removing much of the plants. The field may 

 then be plowed and the clover turned under to fertilize 

 the soil. Mammoth clover seeds abundantly, probably 

 because it is less likely to insect ravages than red clover, 

 and also because the bumblebees are more plentiful when 

 it is in bloom. 



WHITE CLOVER 



White clover, Trifolium repens, is sometimes called 

 Dutch clover or little Dutch clover, because of its promi- 

 nence in the pastures of Holland. 



267. Description. — White clover is a low growing 

 plant, perennial in habit and under favorable conditions 

 living for many years, differing in these respects from both 

 red clover and alsike. It has a shallow root system, usu- 

 ally almost all of the roots being found in the first 8 or 9 

 inches of soil. The stems do not grow erect, but lie along 

 the ground, forming runners which root freely at each 

 node. It therefore spreads rapidly and makes a firm 

 turf, which makes it well adapted to pastures and lawns. 

 The leaves and flowering heads grow on long, upright 

 stalks which arise from the prostrate stems. The length 

 of the leaf and flower stalk depends upon the conditions 

 of growth. If grown alone, they do not grow as tall as 

 if grown with grasses or clovers. This is due to the ten- 

 dency of the plant to place its flowers and leaves high 

 enough so that they will not be completely shaded by other 

 plants. The length of the leaf and flower stalks varies 

 from a few inches to a foot or more. The flowering head 



