144 



THE GKASSES OF TENNESSEE. 



ets. Beside, the expense of "seeding down" every three or four years 

 is saved. It is a great renovator and disintegrator of hard, tenacious 

 soils. Its long tap roots and numerous fibers reach deep for its pabu- 

 lum, and thus loosen the soil and endure drought well. Some think there 

 are two kinds of this clover. I think not. The difference in growth, 

 -etc., in diverse localities, is owing to the character of the soil. I never 

 saw any but the large kind on land once covered with beech, maple, 

 oak, bass, lever wood, etc., and I never saw any but the small kind on 

 light, sandy, and gravelly soils. Also, on pebbly soils with calcareous 

 debris, and good tenacious subsoil it succeeds well It is no humbug 



As compared with red clover, the hay is richer by two 

 per cent, in flesh formers — both cut in bloom. The analyses 

 of both, as given by Professors Wolff and Knop, show: 



The great difference in the amount of crude fibre is no- 

 ticeable, and shows decidedly in favor of Alsike clover. 



SAPLING RED CLOVER— (Trifolium ereclwm). 



This is precisely the same plant as the common red 

 clover, and is used in the same manner, and for the same 

 purposes. The only difference in it is, that the stems being 

 stouter, it is not liable to lodge, but will stand erect, and 

 so be in a better condition to mow, and admits the sun to 

 its roots better. As to which may be preferable, is a mere 

 matter of taste or prejudice. Either is good, the sapling 

 clover being about two weeks later. 



CRIMSON CLOVER— {Tnfotivm mcamatum). 



This is an annual presenting a beautiful crimson flower 

 when in bloom. It is principally valuable as a green food, 

 though the hay is thought to be equal or superior to that 

 made of red clover, but being an annual it interferes more 



