85 
It occurs at high altitudes on the Alps. It is found at Gurnigel, as an escape from cultivation, 
at a height of 3900 ft. In Grisons, Dr. Briigger met with it at 3800 ft. On the Bavarian Alps, it 
ascends to 2500 ft., and on the Caucasus, to 3300 ft. 
Alsike is little affected by climatic influences, as it has, for a long time, been accli- 
matised and widely cultivated in Northern Europe. To cold, it is almost insensitive. In 
winter, it is not liable to be uprooted, and late frosts seldom lead to its destruction. 
Limits of 
altitude. 
Climate. 
A moist season is rather favourable than otherwise. On bleak mountains, Alsike has. 
therefore great value, and the results are everywhere very favourable. It does not resist 
persistent drought very well, because its root-system is relatively superficial. Though not 
destroyed by drought, the produce is much reduced. 
Alsike thrives best on damp or moist loams and clays. It can be cultivated on_ stiff 
clays with an impermeable subsoil, even on those which are too wet for other clovers. 
On moorlands, if they are not excessively wet, and on ochreous soils rich in iron, it may also 
be cultivated. According to the account of Lippe-Weissenfeld, it succeeds very well on light 
fertile soils containing marl. Soils of a light and dry type are least suited for it, although, 
in Northern Germany, it is often sown, and used as a pasture plant in such cases, Then, 
of course, the produce is somewhat meagre. In Saxony, according to Pinkert, it has been 
cultivated on the poorest granitic soils. 
1000 lbs. of Alsike clover remove from the soil: 
Nitrogen . . . 24°6 lbs. Magnesia Ss. Ses, 
Phosphoric Acid . ‘41 ,, Or sc ie EL ee, Sa. 
Potasn- s- st. So pS 4, SiG eats ee ACS OID, 
SONA. ae ae ER OS Suiphuric Acid okie! 
As Alsike has a superficial root-system, the corresponding layer of soil must be rich 
in fertilising matter. That is the reason why manure should be applied after harvesting 
the preparatory crop. Weil-manured and weil-tilled clover-sick land is suitable for it. It can 
be more frequently repeated than red clover, since, as yet, there is no such thing as clover 
sickness for Alsike. 
This is the only species of clover which is suited for irrigation. 
Growth, yield, nutritive value. At the base, the stem is bent and lies along the ground, 
without rooting; the rest of the stem is ascending. From this mode of growth, it is 
clear that Alsike, grown by itself, may readily be laid, and then it is able to rot away at 
the base. To this it is especially subject on damp soils where the plants are very close 
together. Usually it is a more leafy plant than red clover. 
When sown in a cereal crop, some of the plants usually flower in autumn. In spring, 
it is later than red clover, and only comes into flower between the first and second cuttings 
of the latter, and for long after this it remains green. If Alsike is in flower when its first 
crop is taken, the second cross does not reach full maturity. 
The nutritive value is at its highest when the plant is in flower, and that, accordingly, 
is the best time for cutting. It can either be used green or made into hay. As it contains a 
larger proportion of water than red clover, drying is more difficult. The leaves contain much 
more available nutritive matter than the stems, and, therefore, special care must be taken 
to prevent, as much as possible, loss of leaf during hay-making. When in flower, about 
25% of the whole plant is leaf, and, at that time, according to Ritthausen, the leaves 
Soil. 
Substances 
removed from 
the soil. 
Manure. 
Irrigation. 
Growth. 
Development. 
Harvesting. 
