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Alefeld and other botanists unite purple lucerne (Medicago sativa. L.), intermediate lucerne (Me- 
dicago media, Persoon) and yellow lucerne (Medicago falcata, L.) into a single species, and regard these 
as three varilies. Some authors, however, look upon Medicago sativa and Medicago falcata as distinct 
species and consider Medicago media as a hybrid between them. Still others regard them as three 
distinct species. The three forms differ so widely in agricultural value and other characters that they 
cannot possibly be treated together; here ordinary lucerne (Medicago sativa, L.) is alone taken into 
consideration. 
In temperate Asia, especially in the Himalayan mountains, numerous varieties very similar to 
ordinary lucerne occur. | 
Hugo Werner has experimented with a Chinese variety (Medicago sativa var. rotundifolia, Ale- 
feld) which had been sent to Russia, in 1847, under the name of »Mii-Stie«. He found it inferior to 
our lucerne as the yield diminished considerably after the first cutting. 
The origin of the name »lucerne« is involved in obscurity; it has certainly nothing in common 
with the Swiss town of the same name, as the plant is only rarely cultivated al Lucerne. Some have 
attempted to connect it with »Clausert« or »Clauserne« the district in Italy whence it was introduced 
by the Provencals into France. Historical evidence proves that such is not the case and that the plant 
was introduced into France from Spain. Others say that the name is derived from the Celtic »Luzuc, 
»luzuen« an herb. It is sometimes called »purple medick« to distinguish it from yellow medick and 
other species of the same genus, 
Lucerne is a very ancient agricultural plant and was known to the Greeks and Romans. The Greek 
name was Medicai, the Latin, Medica or Herba medica — a name still in use in Italy (Erba medica). 
The plant received this name because it was imported from Media, during the war with the Persians 
about 470 B. C. At that time, it was cultivated in Persia, and used as fodder in the royal stables. 
In Italy its cultivation commenced about 200 B. C. and soon extended, IL is mentioned by Virgil, 
Varro and Columella. 
From Italy lucerne was introduced into Spain. The ravages of the barbarians retarded, and accor- 
ding to some authors, entirely stopped its cultivation in Italy for a time. It is true that the celebrated 
Petrus de Crescentiis of Bologne, who lived between 1235 and 1320, does not mention it in his work 
on agriculture, but Targioni. who cannot be wrong on this matter, states definitely that lucerne had 
always continued in constant cultivation in Italy and especially in Tuscany, even from the earliest times, 
According to Gallo, it was introduced into southern France in 1550,  Clusiws introduced it into Bel- 
gium in 4565. It was probably brought into Switzerland from southern France. 
Lucerne is to be regarded as the most important fodder plant in southern Kurope, 
because it thrives and is very productive in warm climates and on dry soils where red 
clover would be quite dried up. It can be cut earlier in spring than red clover and from 
three to five good cuttings may be taken in a year. The weather aflects it little. Its 
fodder is very suitable for stall-feeding during summer, The well-being and prosperity of 
many districts depend entirely on this plant. As Sprengel remarks »what would be the 
condition of the greater portion of the Palatinate, if it had not Iucerne?« Its duration 
varies from 3 to 20 years and depends upon the nature of the soil and climate. In climates 
where the soil is warm and deep, fields of lucerne from twelve to fifteen years old are 
quite common; some fields are in their twentieth or even their twenty-fifth year and still 
the plants are good. if the conditions are unfavourable, the plants usually die out within 
a period of three years. Cultivation is only profitable when a ley of 5 or 6 years’ duration 
can be relied upon. At the end of the ley, the land is broken up, and a cereal crop follows. 
As a general rule, it can recur on the same land only after a period of rest equal in 
a ee we yk Oe a cS = wi _ iL ~ 
Varieties. 
Namie. 
History. 
Agricultural 
value. 
