The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-01-25
EXPLORER or GOLD
NORTH PLANT LIFE:
Prot. N. t. Hansen Tells South
Dakota Horticultural Society
of His Work.

Groton, $ D., Jan. 24.-'Fhe most iil-
terestimg person present at the annual
meeting OF the South Dakota Horticul-
tural society here is the societys secre-
tary, Professor n. +. Hansen, of the
South Dakota Agricultural college.
While his views ON trees and sfrubpely
are valuable he is being importuned by
the farmers present to tell of his re
markable exploration expeditions IN
Asia in search of hardy species of alf-
llfa and other plant life.
Professor Hansen returned this
month from a half-year Journey which
finally took him around the world, but
which had it's ost valuable results in
bleak Siberia, for there he discovered
the type of alfalfa which it is thought
/ will revolutionize agriculture in the
4 semi-arid west. The theory of rota-
ton of crops is an established one and
the value of alfalfa in building up soil
is imestimable. Heretofore this plant
las been too delicate for the northern
sections of this country. The yellow
lowered species which Professor Han
SEN gathered himself by much personal
tabor ON the steppes of Siberia, it is
believed may be introduced With sue
eess here Professor Hansen said TO a
9!oup VI IlllcitSttll itiiiiltlS lleIt
What He Went For.
The principal object of my third trip
% Russia, from which | returned Janu-
AIRY ,, was TO trace the northern limits
Of alfalfa i'm Asia, The journey began
June 2S. and the six months journey
urned out to be . trip around the
world. ranging in latitude from 10 down
20 20 degrees.
One of the objects of Secretary Will
i'm, TO-,
$ to conquer the great American desert
oy the Introduction OF economic plants
rom similar climates of the old world
N lS91-9S, as part of this work, L
made AN overland journey of 1000
niles through Turkestan western
hina and southern Siberia; as one
'esult of this adventuresome effort
!urkestan alfalfa was imported to
America for the first time, and its
lorthern limits traced i'm the overland
Journey. On this second trip to ST.
oeria | took up the broken trail where
left it and followed where it led clear
across the continent of Asia. The
interesting fact was brought cut
hat where the blue Powered
alfalfa stops, the yellow flower
species are found extending from
1000 to 1000 miles further north
.ellent forage plants in dry sections. it
teens to indicate that the alfalfa belt
Mill be ultimately extended. on this con-
.inent as far north as we will care to
arm. Not an ounce of the seed is for
sale anywhere: l had to gather the seed
rom Wild plants on the siberian
iteppes Some tap-rooted Siberian
.lovers We're found i'm this same region,
,lso other promising forage plants.
What He Got.
Professor Hansen brought back
mough seed for good test but at the
present time there is not a pound of it
} .or sale as it was all picked from
Mild plants in the Siberian steppes 1t
sill be thoroughly tested by the experi-
nent station here under the direction
IF Professor Hansen, after which it will
,e distributed among the farmers of
he northern part of the country. 1t
expected that alfalfa will be used as
rotating crop, and it can be grown
Us far north on this continent as white
men care to live.
In addition to the three varieties of
alfalfa Professor Hansen brought back
several new species of tap-rooted ST.
oerian clover and a Siberian timothy
Which the natives OF Siberia use to fat
zen their stock and to make hay These
ipecies grow in the coldest regions i'm
short summer. and With Very little
'ainfall. and it is hoped that they will
prove equally valuable in this country
In Russia Professor Hansen picked
4p seNcfdl Na:1elleS OF potatoes. Which
he Russians use to make alcohol and
le brought back seventeen barrels of
hem to be used in experimentation
These potatoes grow in dry ground and
are Very heavy yielders, turning out
between 500 and 600 bushels to the acre
They are Very high in starch conten,
and are Very valuable for fattenine
stock. but are too coarse for table use
N addition to these Professor Hansen
brought back innumerab.e specimens o
-ruits. berries and cereals, which il i.
loped will prove of much value to oul
. horticultural and agricultural re
sources.