BEGGARWEBD 



BERSEEM 



215 



stage. After this, the crop should not be molested, 

 but should be allowed to grow at will, bloom, and 

 produce seed for the next season. The second 



Fig. 306. Beggarweea. 



cutting should not be made too late, else the third 

 growth may not have sufficient time to mature 

 seed before the November frosts destroy the 

 plants ; and if it is cut after full bloom, there will 

 be considerable loss, due to the falling of the 

 lower leaves. Pair yields are one ton per acre for 

 each cutting, though not uncommonly the two 

 cuttings will make four to six tons. The hay is 

 easily cured by the ordinary methods of handling. 



As a cover-crop. 

 — As a cover- 

 crop for orchards 

 in sections where 

 it will succeed, 

 beggarweed has 

 no superior. It 

 is a vigorous 

 grower, a good 

 nitrogen- gather- 

 er and is free 

 from the nema- 

 tode worms 

 which produce 

 root - knot. For 

 the last reason 

 it is particularly 

 desirable as a 

 cover- crop 



Fig. 307. Field of beggarweed. 



for peaches, figs and other fruits susceptible to in- 

 jury from nematodes, and its self-sowing habit 

 makes it cheap. 



As a forage. — Beggarweed is rich in protein and 

 makes a good quality of forage, relished by farm 

 stock. Its nutritive ratio is about the same as 

 that of red clover. It is most effectual when 

 fed with a coarse forage rather strong in car- 

 bohydrates. 



BERSEEM. Trifolium Alexandrinum, Linn. Legu- 

 minosce. Known also as Egyptian clover. Fig. 

 308. 



By V. A. Clark. 



An annual, clover-like forage plant recently in- 

 troduced from Egypt and now being grown experi- 

 mentally in the United 

 States, especially in the 

 irrigated Southwest. Its 

 particular recommendations 

 are rapid growth, adapta- 

 bility to alkali lands and 

 usefulness i n reclaiming 

 them, high rank as a nitro- 

 gen-gatherer, unusual food 

 value and conditioning prop- 

 erties, exceptional succu- 

 lence, palat ability and 

 heavy yield. Berseem is the 

 basis of Egyptian agricul- 

 ture, both by reason of its 

 instrumentality in the re- 

 clamation of alkali land and 

 of its almost universal use 

 as forage. The plant is two 

 to five feet tall, according 

 to variety, heads whitish, 

 intermediate in size and 

 shape between common red 

 and white clovers. Muscowi, Pachl and Saida are 

 the principal varieties, distinct in form and cultural 

 adaptations. Muscowi is the rankest grower. 

 There is not yet experience enough with berseem 



in the United 

 States to war- 

 rant definite cul- 

 tural directions. 

 Naturally wet 

 land, even that 

 on which water 

 stands a part of 

 the time, is best. 

 The seed is 

 broadcasted a t 

 fifteen to twenty 

 pounds per acre 

 and harrowed in 

 lightly, as for 

 alfalfa or clover. 

 November plant- 

 ings have been 

 most successful 

 in avoiding win- 

 ter-killing in 



Fig. 308. 



Berseem lieads {Trifolium 



Alexandrinum). 



