i4.6 CLOVERS 



does not mean that it may not yet come to this 

 country. Should the symptoms given above appear 

 on soils on which clover has been grown frequently 

 and for a long period, it would be the part of wis- 

 dom to take such indications as a hint to grow clover 

 less frequently in the rotation. 



Possible Improvement in Clovers. — Some 

 close observers have noticed that there is much lack 

 -of uniformity in the plants found growing in an 

 : ordinary field of clover, especially of the medium 

 ted and mammoth varieties. Many of the plants 

 vary in characteristics of stem, leaf, flower and seed ; 

 ■ in the size and vigor of the plants ; in the rapidity 

 with which they grow; and in earliness or lateness in 

 maturing. So great are these differences that it 

 may be said they run all the way from almost value- 

 less to high excellence. Here, then, is a wide-open 

 door of opportunity for improving clover plants 

 through selection. This question has not been given 

 that attention in the past which its importance de- 

 mands. 



There may be a difference in view as to all the 

 essential features of improvement that are to be 

 'sought for, but there will probably be agreement 

 with reference to the following in desirable varie- 

 ties: I. They will have the power to grow quickly 

 and continuously under average conditions. This 

 power will render them valuable as pasture plants in 

 proportion as they possess it. 2. They will produce 

 many stems not too coarse in character. This will 

 affect favorably the character of the hay and will 

 also have a bearing on increase in the production of 



