CLOVER, species of the genus Trifolium, belonging to the pea family (Fabacece). Of Trifolium about 400 species have been de scribed; they are most abundant in the north temperate zone, a few in South America and South Africa. Some are very itnportant in agriculture, either for pasturage, fodder or for soil-improvement The word ((clover') is also applied to species of related genera, as bur-clover (Medicago), sweet clover (Melilotuz), bush and _Japanese clovers (Lespedeza), prairie clover (Petaloste mon), etc.
The true clovers (Trifolium) are herbs with mostly three-foliolate leaves; purple, pink, white or yellow small flowers in dense heads or s,pikes; and straight membranous pods con taining one to four seeds.
The most itnportant species to the farmer is the common red clover (Trifolium pratense), now naturalized in North America, but a native of Europe and northern Asia. It has been grown in England for over 300 years. It is a more or less hairy perennial, growing from six inches to two feet high. The flower-heads are dense, oval or ovoid, about one inch long; flowers sessile or nearly so, red, rarely white, remaining erect in fruit; calyx sparingly hairy. It is one of our best forage plants for nutritive value, high yield and good range of adaptabil ity; it is commonly found in meadows and pas tures and is used as a green manure. It flowers from April to November. The seed weighs about 60 pound.s to the bushel, and, if sown alone, 10 to 12 pounds will sow an acre.
Zigzag clover, cow-grass and marl-grass or mammoth clover (Trifolium medium) may be an offshoot of T. pratense, from which it dif fers in being a larger plant, having zigzag stems, the flower-heads larger, longer stalked and often of a deeper purple color, with a practically smooth calyx tube. It is a native of Europe and Siberia and blooms during the summer.
Alsike or Swedish clover (Trifolium hy bridum) is an erect perennial, growing one to two feet high. Its flowers are pink to white and are open about the same time as those of timothy. It is suited to heavy day and
is the only clover that will stand irrigation. It has smaller and shallower roots than com mon clover. It is sometimes sown alone, when, owing to its small seed, four pounds per acre is sufficient. It is better suited to mixtures. It was introduced into Great Britain from Sweden in 1834.
White, Dutch or honeysuckle clover (T. repens) is a common perennial, low-growing plant with white to pinkish flowers, native of Europe, Siberia and perhaps of the northeastern United States. Its method of seeding makes it permanent. As its yield is small it is seldom grown alone, but is often incorporated in mix tures. It is a bee-plant and is common on nearly all soils. See Dural CtovEa.
Crimson, carnation,'Italian or scarlet clover (T. incarnatum) is an erect, hairy annual, growing six inches to three feet high. The leaflets are nearly sessile, the flower-heads are terminal, oblong or ovoid, one to two and a half inches long; flowers red, purple, pink or white, sessile; calyx hairy. It is often grown as a catch or cover crop in orchards, etc., and sometimes for grazing and hay. It is quite ornamental and is now grown by the florist.
Yellow clover or hop clover (T. agrar ium) is a hairless or slightly hairy annual clover, growing 6 to 18 inches high, with small yellow flowers which are open between May and September. It is common along roadsides and waste places. T. procumbens is also called yellow clover or hop clover; it is more spread ing and hairy than the above. It is common on dry soils. Alexandrian or Egyptian clover (T. alexandrinum) is an annual, bearing oval, pale yellow or whitish flowers. As it is an important fodder in Egypt it is presumed that it will be of value for the Southern States. Rabbit-foot, stone or old field clover (T. arvense) is a common annual of no value. T. dubium is the least hop clover or hop-trefoil, also called yel low suckling clover, and is regarded by some as the true shamrock.