4 CIRCULAR 62 5, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



gravelly loam soils of recognized low-productive capacity for local 

 standard crops. In the Pacific Northwest it is growing in similar 

 situations but also is found growing luxuriantly on the more fertile 

 lowlands of the coastal area. It is not particularly drought resistant 

 but will stand average drought conditions and is equal to most other 

 crops in this respect. Some writers, however, have claimed for it 

 unusual drought resistance. 



In soil requirements the plants are very similar, but their moisture 

 demands differ. Big trefoil is suited to situations of greater moisture 

 than birdsfoot trefoil, in fact in places it will grow under quite swampy 

 conditions. Smith (9) refers to this species under the name Swamp 

 Horn clover, as follows: 



It is a native of northern Europe, where it is esteemed for swampy meadow 

 lands. It is now cultivated in Wisconsin and Minnesota on sour, peaty, or muck 

 soils. 



Recent reports 4 from these two States indicate that big trefoil no 

 longer occurs in Minnesota but that it persists in Wisconsin. 



VALUE FOR FORAGE 



No feeding experiments have been conducted to determine the 

 relative value of birdsfoot trefoil or big trefoil for forage, but the 

 general experience of growers shows that they are entirely satisfactory 

 for this purpose. Both species have been used in European countries, 

 and general reports from Australia and New Zealand indicate that 

 they are highly regarded for use in pasture mixtures. In eastern New 

 York and in wrstern Oregon farmers have pastured birdsfoot trefoil 

 and recognize its high feeding value.. It also makes hay of good 

 quality. It is the practice of a number of farmers to grow birdsfoot 

 trefoil as a mixture with grass, and it is in such a combination that 

 it is most commonly fed. It is well adapted for use in this way and 

 such a mixture is considered very valuable. 



In addition to making good hay and pasturage the season of growth 

 of birdsfoot trefoil and also big trefoil is such that good pasturage is 

 available in the latter half of summer when pasturage is usually short. 

 This feature is one of the strong assets of the crop and makes it 

 especially valuable for use in pastures. 



CHEMICAL ANALYSIS 



The several published analyses of birdsfoot trefoil agree closely 

 with reference to the constituents that can be compared. Following 

 is an analysis of birdsfoot trefoil hay that was produced in the Rogue 

 River Valley, Oregon, in 1940, and is considered average for plants 

 in bloom: 5 



Constituent: Percent 



Protein 14. 24 



Fat • 2. 90 



Fiber 29. 60 



Calcium 1. 10 



Phosphorus . . 28 



4 Correspondence on file in the Division of Forage Crops and Diseases. 



5 Analysis by J. R. Haag of the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station. 



