Varieties

At least twenty varieties, native or naturalized, are

found in Great Britain; more than twelve varieties belong to the United

States. The more valuable varieties found in this country have been

introduced from Europe, unless it be the small white clover (Trifolium

repens). Viewed from the standpoint of the agriculturist the varieties

that are most generally useful include medium red clover (Trifolium

pratense), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), alsike (Trifolium hybridum),

mammoth (Trifolium magnum), crimson (Trifolium incarnatum) and small

white (Trifolium repens). The varieties which flourish only in the

South include the Japan (Lespedeza striata) and the burr clover

(Medicago denticulata). Sweet clover (Melilotus alba), sometimes

called Bokhara, which will grow equally well North and South, is worthy

of attention because of its power to grow under hard conditions, in

order to provide honey for bees and to renovate soils. Other varieties

may render some service to agriculture, but their value will not compare

with that of the varieties named.



The most valuable of the varieties named in providing pasture, include

the medium red, the mammoth, the alsike and the small white. The most

valuable in providing hay are the medium red, alfalfa and alsike. The

most valuable, viewed from the standpoint only of soil renovation, are

the medium red, mammoth, alsike, crimson, Japan and sweet. The most

valuable in producing honey accessible to tame bees, are the small

white, alsike and sweet.