Alfalfa varieties in the United States. Page: 2
ii, 14 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this book.
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2 FARMERS' BULLETIN 1731
The Turkistan group includes alfalfas that originated in Turkistan.
They are similar in flower color to the common alfalfas, but
the growth is generally somewhat shorter and more spreading. No
commercial distinction is made between the various strains as imported
from Turkistan, but in the United States the names Hardistan
and Kaw are given to strains of Turkistan alfalfa, seed of
which is being increased in this country.
The variegated group includes alfalfas that have originated from
crosses between common alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and the yellowflowered
species (M. falcata). Grimm, Canadian Variegated, Cossack,
Baltic, Ladak, and Hardigan are the best known examples of
this group.
FIGURE 1.-A good crop of common alfalfa in the Yakima Valley, Wash.
The nonhardy group includes rather distinct varieties that are in
general very erect in habit of growth, recover quickly after cutting,
have a long growing period, and are very susceptible to low temperatures.
The Peruvian and Arabian varieties are members of this
group.
THE COMMON-ALFALFA GROUP
Comparatively little is known regarding the origin of common
alfalfa, though there is reason to believe that it developed in western
Asia and was one of the first plants to be cultivated solely for
forage. The stock from which most of the common alfalfa of our
Western States has been produced was brought from Spain to Chile
and after having been grown there for many years, was introduced
in California about 1850. In most lots of common alfalfa there are
plants that grow more quickly than others after being cut and that
have a tendency to produce larger yields. These plants are favored
by a mild climate and for convenience are referred to as the " southern
or nonhardy type." The plants that recover more slowly after
being cut and that become dormant earlier in the fall are more cold-
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Westover, H. L. (Harvey Leroy). Alfalfa varieties in the United States., book, 1940; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1732/m1/4/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.