AGRICULTURAL CLOVERS 83 



mineral manures did not maintain the permanence of this 

 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 Rothamsted experiments, however, decisively 

 proved this plant to be more enduring than Trifolium repens ; 

 hence there can be no doubt whatever as to its great value in 

 laying down land to pasture. 



For illustration, description, and chemical analysis, see 

 5*. Edition. 



TRIFOLIUM HYBRIDUM 



(Abike Clover). 



Although this plant was named by Linnasus, there is 

 reason to doubt whether it is a hybrid between Red 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 Greensand 

 formation comes up year after year where once it has been 

 sown, but on some light soils it is not permanent. Were it 

 not for the surface growth, and the consequent inability 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, and is 

 decidedly more productive in wet than in dry seasons ; it 

 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 it should 

 be promptly cut ; if left it may begin to rot at the base. 



G 2 



