2 BULLETIN 428, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
ward the species in various ways and an interest manifested in it that 
is quite as widespread as that in any other plant immigrant of recent — 
times. The fact that it is classed as a variety of alfalfa would alone 
have been sufficient advertisement, but to be described as a hardy and 
- drought-resistant strain obtained for it at once almost universal 
recognition. Eight years would appear to be a sufficient period of 
time in which to determine to a reasonable degree the agricultural 
merits of any new crop, but in the case of J/edicago falcata more time — 
will be required before the true status of this species can be ascer- 
tained and its value accurately estimated. 
It is true that many of the investigators who have worked with it, 
or rather with a few forms of it, have long since condemned it as 
being of little value. On the other hand, a few have seen in it the 
solution of the whole problem of a hardy and drought-resistant 
alfalfa. Both of these views are undoubtedly extreme, the first being 
based on scanty information or a study of insufficient material; the 
second, somewhat at least on sentiment. Those who have worked 
carefully and open-mindedly with all the available forms of the 
species are convinced that certain forms have much potential value 
if properly utilized. 
One of the purposes of this bulletin is to correct many of the 
extreme and erroneous opinions that have obtained regarding Medi- 
cago falcata by setting forth in as fair and unbiased a manner as 
possible what are believed to be reliable data for the aid of plant 
breeders and others who are interested in the species. 
INTRODUCTION OF MEDICAGO FALCATA INTO THE UNITED 
STATES. 
The first importation of Medicago falcata to the United States of 
which there is a record was made by the Department of Agriculture 
in 1897, through the instrumentality of Prof. N. E. Hansen, who was 
commissioned by the Secretary of Agriculture to visit Europe and 
Asia for the purpose of procuring promising plants new to the agri- _ 
culture of this country. Accidental importations of seed were made 
at an earlier date, as indicated by specimens of fully developed plants 
found in the United States National Herbarium, collected in Dela- 
ware by A. Commons in 1896. The collector’s notes merely state 
that the plants were found growing in waste places. Such acci- 
dental introductions as may have occurred failed to, produce any con- 
siderable number of plants in this country, since the species even now 
is not common in any locality. 
Since 1897 the Department of Nemcuent: has conducted a Sys- 
tematic search for the numerous forms of Medicago falcata. This 
has been inspired partially by the belief that the species of itself 
