The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1913-11-12
ALFALFA SEED
Prof. Hanson Secures Seed From
Rare and Hardy
Legumes

Brookings, Nov. 12.-PIof. N. E.
Hansen, who was sent last spring by
the state Of South Dakota to explore
Siberia for alfalfas, has returned with
one and f~ve-eighths 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 lowered Siberian
alfalfa-medicago falcata-which is
already proving successful in the west
ern part of South Dakota.
Professor Hansen also brought back
lac pounds of hand picked Siberian red
clover, a find which he vaslues high
ly. This plant Is now introduced to
America for the first time and comes
from an eight inch rainfall climate.
1t should be proof against winter
killing. since it grows wild where the
mercury often freezes without snow.
Among other new plants which will
be of great value to 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 scien-
tifc name is ''Melilotus deniatus
Siberian Esparsette, a tall erect
growing legume. This Siberian form
should help i'm 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 eight inches
| of rainfall. 1t is the cornerstone of
dry land agriculture in Siberia where it
is used for human as we'll as stock
food.
Mongolian wheat. A plant which
is new and unknown to European
wheat specialists. Has a very large
kernel.
Chez grass. Lasiogrostis Splendens.
A giant grass which grows native in
pure white alksli soils and desert
sands. Young plant relished by stock.
May develop into q great forage plant
for dry western states, especially in
alkali spots. since it is found grow
ing in dry shifting sands. 1t is rel
ished by native stock. Professor
Hansen brought only a small amount
Of seed for experimental purposes.
Several hardy fruits, including q
new Siberian cherry, which may be
a foundation for producing "a hardy
cherry for cold western states. Siberi.
al black currents and g~ooseberries are
also included in the shipment.
Professor Hansen started ON his 81
berian trip May 2 and returned to
Brookings November s. First he went
to st. Petersburg, by way of Finland,
where he secured his official papers.
He next went to Mosco ", where he
organized his expedition. From Omsk,
siberia. his next stop. he went south
ward to Semlipa latinsk, in souther
most Siberia. This is a country Of
great climatic extremes, with a rain
fall of only eight Oh nine inches
From here he took the wagon route
among the Nornsds. the Kirghiz Tar
tars, being protected by an armed Cos
sack guard. Professor Hansen visited
the Nomad settlement in the dry step
pes, where he organized a collection
force for gathering alfalfa seed.
The difficulties of the journey wer'
many. The horses which pulled thu
wagons were wild and inclined tt
run away. The wagon was his hom'
night and day. with frequent visits
by scorpions. tarantulas. snakes, etc
DE lived largely ON kumyss. or mare
milk, fattailed mutton. broom corn
Siberian millet, coarse wheat bread
Wild animals at times gave consider
able trouble Only his previous ex
~perience, and the know how gained
on former trips made the work O
this expedition possible. especially il
80 short q time.