The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1913-11-13
& N
Attorneys for Plaintiff.
HANSEN FINDS
NEW VARIETIES
RETURNS FROM SIBERIA WITH
QUANTITY OF ALFALFA SEED
AND OTHER FORAGE
PLANTS AND GRAINS g4A1.
BELIEVED VALUABLE, Sty.

Brookings, S. D.--Special.-N. f.
Hanson, who was sent last spring by
the State of South Dakota to explore
Siberia for alfalfas, has returned,
with n and fve-eiglins tons of
seed, an amount which far exceeds
even his fondest hopes, or the hopes
of his friends. This is seed of the
hardy upright yellow-flowered Siber-
ian alfalfa, eMedicago Falcata,'
which is already proving successful
in the western part of South Dakota.
Professor Hansen also brought
back ZAP pounds of handpicked ST.
berian red clover, a find which he
values highly. This plant is now in
troduced to America for the first
time and comes from an eight-inch
rainfall climate. 1t should be proof
against winter killing since 1t grows
wild where the mercury often freezes
without snow. ~
Among other new plants which will
be of great vlaue to the western
states, and which Professor Hansen
brought back to America with him
are:
A new species of sweet clover,
large seeded and red stemmed. 1t
grows tall and erect, and is more
palatable than other sweet .clovers.
Its scientific name is '%lelilotus len
ltatus."
Siberian Esparsette, a tall, erect
growing legume. This Siberian form
would help in the forage problem
and comes to America for the first
time.
A number of new vetches.
A large white-seeded millet, which
produces large crops with an eight
inch rain fall. 1t is the cornerstone
of dry land agriculture i'll Siberis
where il is used for human as well
as stock food.
Monaghan wheat. A plant which
is new and unknown to European
wheat specialists. Has a very large
kernel.
Chez grass. Lasiogrostis Splend-
ems. A giant grass which grows ma
tive in pure white alkali soils and
desert sands. Young plant relished
by stock. May develop into a great
forage plant for dry western states.
especially in alkali spots since it is
found growing in dry shifting sands.
1t is reiished by native stock. Pro-
fessor Hansen brought only a small
amount of seed for experimental pur-
poses.
Several hardy fruits, including a
now Siberian cherry, which may be a
foundation for producing a hardy
cherry for cold western states. ST.
berian black currants and goose
berries are also included in the ship
ment.
Professor Hansen started on his
Siberian trip May 20 and returned to
Brookings on November 8, 1913.
First he went to St. Petersburg, by
way of Finland, where he secured his
official papers. He next went to Mos
! COW, where he organized his expedi-
ton. From Omsk, Siberia, his next
:, stop, he went southwark to Semipal-
i atinsk in ~southermost Siberia. This
is a country of great climatic ex-
C tremes, with a rainfall of only s or
8 inches. From here he took the
S wagon route among the Nomads, the
Kirghiz Tartars, being protected by
an armed Cossack guard. Professor
Hansen visited the Nomad settlement
in the dry steppes where he organized
Ma collecting force for gathering al
Mia seed.
We difficulties of the journey were
l. many. The horses which pulled the
VI wagons we're wild and inclined to run
away. The wagon was his home nigh,
q and day, with frequent visits b,
scorpions, tarantulas, snakes, etc
d He lived largely on Kumyss, O
, mares milk, fat-taiied mutton
is broom corn, Siberian millet, coars,
n wheat bread. Wild animals at time
Is gave considerable trouble. Only hi
lie previous experience and the know
a how" gained on former trips mad,
S. the work of this expedition possible
especially in SO short a time.a ia