80- PEEMANENT AND TEMPOEAEY PASTtJEES. 



manures alone did not maintain the permanence of tliis Clover. 

 It is a remarkable fact that the unmanured plots, where there 

 was little other herbage to interfere with it, were the only plots 

 on which Cow Grass retained its original position. The Eotham- 

 stead experiments, however, decisively proved this plant to be 

 more enduring than TrifoUum repens; hence there can be no 

 doubt whatever as to its great value in laying down land to 

 pasture. 



The botanical description and chemical analysis are given on 

 page 178, facing an illustration. 



TEIFOLIUM HYBEIDUM 



(Alsike Clover). 



Although this plant was named by Linnteus, there is reason 

 to doubt whether it is a hybrid between Eed and White Clover, 

 as is generally assumed. The common name of Alsike is derived 

 from the village of Syke, near Upsala in Sweden, where it has 

 been grown with great success. The plant is indigenous in 

 Southern Europe, yet it does not appear to have been cultivated 

 until after the example was set in Sweden, whence it reached this 

 country. 



Alsike Clover is a true perennial, and on the gi'eensand form- 

 ation comes up year after year where once it has been sown. On 

 some light soils it is not so permanent. Were it not for the 

 surface growth, and the consequent inabihty to withstand drought, 

 Alsike would take a more important position in agricultural 

 operations than Broad Clover, especially as the former will often 

 grow on clover-sick land. 



Alsike Clover is peculiarly adapted for damp soils, is decidedly 

 more productive in wet than in dry seasons, endures heat and 

 cold well, succeeds in undrained clays better than any other 

 variety, and is the only clover that will stand irrigation. On 

 damp soils if the crop becomes laid there is a danger of its rotting 

 at the base, and then, if possible, it should be promptly cut. 



