IVOIRE SOF PROUEERATION IN-ALPALEA 
By R. A. OAKLEY, Agronomist, and SAMUEL GARVER, Scientific Assistant, Office 
of Forage-Crop Investigations. 
INTRODUCTION. 
The production of rhizomes and underground shoots in alfalfa 
was observed many years ago, and brief, more or less indefinite, men- 
tion made of them in literature. It may be that Jethro Tull had in 
mind something of this nature in making the following statement in 
his “ Horse-Hoing Husbandry ”: 
Though one lucern root be much taper than another toward the upper part 
of it, ‘tis sometimes seen that a single hoed plant of it has many of these per- 
pendicular roots; some of them springing out from the very branches of its 
crown.” 
M. Lullin de Chateau-vieux may also have observed underground 
stems, for in writing to M. Duhamel regarding his experience with 
transplanted alfalfa plants, he says: 
The stalks seem to rise out of the earth; and from the first time of cutting 
them, a kind of head forms just above ground, which extends itself every 
year. * * * 'These crowns have become of an oval form, having extended 
themselves on the sides where they met with no resistance.® 
It is very evident, however, that neither Tull nor Chateau-vieux 
appreciated the value of the underground stem character, even if 
they were aware of its existence, since they make no references to it 
other than those above quoted. It was Thomas Le Blane who appar- 
ently first called definite attention to the branching of alfalfa below 
the surface of the ground, and not only should credit be given him 
for calling attention to this character, but also for pointing out its 
value to the plant. His statement, which follows, quoted in Young’s 
1 Issued Mar. 1, 1913. 
Proliferation : This word is derived from proles (shoots or offspring) and fero (1 bear), 
so that the word literally means bearing offspring. Definitions.—Bearing progeny as off- 
shoots.—Jackson, B. D., Glossary of Botanic Terms, ed. 2, London, 1905. The develop- 
ment of an organ or a shoot from an organ which is itself normally ultimate.—Century 
Dictionary and Cyclopedia. Botanically it has usually been used in reference to shoots 
produced abnormally, but there seems to be no reason why the meaning should not be 
extended to cover shoot production in general. 
27Tull, Jethro. Horse-Hoing Husbandry, London, 1733, p. 92-102. 
3 Duhamel du Moneceau, H, L. A Practical Treatise of Husbandry, London, 1759, p. 358. 
[Cir. 115] : 3 
CT) 
