WHITE CLOVER. IO7 



those in which it may have escaped from cultivation; and the fact 

 that all undoubtedly native species of Trifolium are found only in 

 British Columbia and that these form a group widely different from 

 the European ones indicates that White Clover is not indigenous to 

 this country but was introduced by the early settlers. 



History: White Clover was first cultivated in Holland — hence 

 the name Dutch Clover. It is at present grown in all European 

 countries and practically all over North America. 



Cultural conditions: It occurs naturally in meadows and pas- 

 tures, along roads and rivers, in valleys and on mountains. It will 

 grow on a great variety of soils, from sand and gravel to rich loam and 

 clay. It does best on moist, well-drained loams which contain lime 

 and humus. It will not succeed if the soil is too stiff or wet. 



Climate: White Clover is especially adapted to a rather moist 

 and medium warm climate. When other conditions are favourable, 

 it will endure severe cold without injury. It is also able to stand a 

 long spell of drought, provided the subsoil retains some moisture. 

 It is true that most of the roots are rather superficial and that the 

 growth is therefore affected by dry weather; but the main taproot 

 penetrates to a considerable depth, and the plants will survive with 

 sufficient moisture in the subsoil. In Canada White Clover succeeds 

 best in the Maritime Provinces, in the Great Lakes region and on the 

 Pacific slope. It is not well adapted to the Prairie Provinces. 



Habits of growth: When once established, it covers the ground 

 rapidly. The creeping stems branch freely, develop numerous roots 

 and readily form large patches. The heads produce many seeds which 

 fall to the ground and keep their vitality a long time. A few seeds 

 dropped on the ground are thus able within a few years to make 

 surprisingly large patches. This easy propagation accounts for 

 much White Clover in places where it has not been planted and 

 explains why it has been considered indigenous to Canada. 



Development is slow in dry weather but growth starts quickly 

 when rain falls. If germinating early in spring, the plants generally 

 blossom in the fall of the same year. The second and following 

 years they produce an abundance of heads, which, if the plants are 

 kept back by grazing, continue to appear during practically the entire 

 season. 



Agricultural value: On account of its low growth, White 

 Clover cannot be used to any extent as a hay plant. Its chief value 



