51 FORAGE CROPS IN NEBRASKA. 



the United States it has been cultivated for many years. On the 

 station plot there was a good stand produced, but the grass was soon 

 run out by other plants. 



The Italian rye-grass (Zolium italicum) was not tried at the station, 

 but its characters are similar to those of perennial rye-grass. Both 

 are short-lived perennials and are not well suited to permanent pas- 

 ture. Where the climate is adapted to their growth, they have the 

 advantage of giving an abundant early growth, for which reason they 

 are to be recommended for mixtures, as they give a luxuriant growth 

 the first season and then give way to the other grasses. The climate of 

 Nebraska is too dry for successful results with these grasses. 



Lupines (Lv/pinus spp.). — None of the lupines has given satisfactory 

 results in America. 



Bar clover {Medicago denticulata). — An annual clover, frequently 

 grown for winter forage in the Southern States, but not suited to 

 Nebraska conditions. The station plot produced a thin stand and 

 unsatisfactory growth. 



Meliea altissima. — A fair stand was obtained, but it soon dis- 

 appeared. 



White sweet clover ox Bokhara clover (Melilotus albas).- — An excel- 

 lent legume for renovating clay lands, and fairly drought resistant. 

 The great objection to its use as a forage plant in the West has been 

 the fact that stock will not eat the plant. However, it is not infre- 

 quently reported that it has been fed to stock with success. The 

 foliage contains a bitter substance which is disagreeble to animals, 

 and it seems necessary that the taste for the plant be acquired. It is 

 reported by some that if stock are turned into a field early in the 

 spring such a taste is easily acquired. The plant has not been suf- 

 ficiently tested in Nebraska. Besides its possible forage value it is an 

 excellent bee plant. 



Velvet bean (Mucuna utilis). — An annual legume which forms long 

 trailing vines, and is much used in Florida for a green fertilizer and 

 as a forage plant. It has been recommended for growing much 

 farther nonh; but though it produces a good growth of vine it is less 

 valuable than the cowpea for the same purpose. This has not been 

 tested at the Nebraska Station. 



Sainfoin (Onobrychis sativa). — A legume cultivated in Europe and 

 advertised b}^ most seedsmen in this country. The results of the 

 trials in Nebraska are too unsatisfactory to recommend it for use in 

 that State. In fact, there has been little success with, this plant any- 

 where in this country. 



Panicum bulbosum. — A native hay grass of Texas, and quite prom- 

 ising for cultivation in the Southwest, but Nebraska is evidently too 

 far north for its successful o-rowth. 



