The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-10-09
1As SWEET CLOVER.


Remarkable ttroWfH thht - a"N '''f's-
sf caunrii Isinls~
No one kiioNs Jll<s Isow oT where II
came fr,,m or why il canie. but a snowy
and sweet brearisei intruder has tome
into the city to dispute with the iordly
sunsiower his hong and undisputed title
Of squatter Sovereignty 10 all the vacant
lots and blocks in Council iiiatfs. Iowa
And the meek little blossoms on the sum
n,itS Of the sweet ciover plants arr look
inc u,rn The swift ami certain ds'siruc-
tim ~ the pioneer sunfiower. Over one
third OF the bottoms. where year ago
nothing but the gigantic resliious weeo
turned its black and yellow face 10 the
sun. and where il grew in such luxury
that even the noxious cookie burr was
cl,oked out Of existence. the fragrant
sweet clover has appeared and holds un-
DISPUTED dominion over every other green
tl,inr. Oyer hundreds OF vacant lots in
the new additions the tiresome yellow
has given place 70 the dark. rich foliage
and fragrant perpesually Incoming sweet
clover.
Local botanists who have examined
the new plant with . good deal OF m
terest and care say that il Is positively
new species. produced by some unknown
and accidental cross. and that its vlgor
and spreading proclivities are the most
wonderful features OF its nature. The
old fashioned sweet clover was frail
and ghostly plant. that loved the friend
Is shade Of the groves and the longest
moonlight summer nights. clararter-
istic which made 1t proper love EN-
blem. but this new and thrifty product
of Council BlulTs spurns the protection
OF the trees and goes out boldly IN the
fields and meets and conquers the sun
loving sunflower in his chosen grounds
As a foliage plant il is perhaps one OF the
most remarkable in existence for its lux
uriance. In many respects it resembles
the alalfa clover hut il is stronger,
thriftur. and Of much more rapid
growth than that remarkable plant that
furnishes three crops of hay year IN
western territories
IL grows to the height of four or five
feet, with dense leafy foliage and a
nerfect brush OF sweet scented blossoms.
The leaf is small ana juicy. Of rich
dark green. very much resembling the
red clover II is so new and its habits
so little understood that il is not known
what its value NAV lie as forage plant
for stock In its present rank character
stock will not eat il. but, tanned by re-
peated clipping and cultivation. it may
! become one Of the most valuable plants
to the stockmen and farmers.
! nnt whether 1t has any value OF not in
the development OF beef and horseilesh.
it is Of inestimable worth TO the people OF
/ Council Bluffs as swift destroyer and
fragrant substitute for the ubiquitous
sunfower. thai iias furnished provoca-
ton for SO many sad reflections upor the
city. notwithstanding enthusiastic as
thetes have sought to popularize the
meek yellow crowned weed by painting
it on panels and wearing it on their bo-
SONS. Il is a lovely and lovable plant.
so sociable that il viii come right up TO
your doors and crowd its white head into
your windows. and 50 determined upon
having the company of its fellows that it
makes a covenant with the soil that where
one plant grows this year thousands
must grow next A year ago there was
perhaps not enough of the plan; IN the
entire city to cover half an acre; now
there are hundreds of acres denseIy GOV
cred with it. The odor rom the acres
Of white fioHers ellis the air. and after a
midsummer shower the peculiar and
delicate fragrance is indescribable. and
as sweet as the breath OF peris.-Omaha
Bee.