Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1913-11-13
BACK FROM SIBERIA

WELL LADEN
Brookings, S. D.. New. lin. E.
Hanson. who was sent in May last by
the State of South Dakota to explore
Siberia for Alfalfa, has returned with
one and five-eighth tons of seed, an
amount which far exceeds even his
fondest hopes, or the hopes of his
friends. This is seed of the hardy up
ripht yellow-fowered Siberian alfalfa,
"Medicago Falcata," which is already
proving successful in central South Da.
kota.
Professor Hansen also brought back
142 pounds of handpicked Siberian red
clover, find which he values highly
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 i,
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 scientific
name is 'Melilotus denatus".
Siberian Esparsette, tall, erect
growing legume. The Siberian form
should help in the forage problem and
comes to America for the first time. A
number of new vetches.
A large white seeded mille., which
produces large crops with an eight-inch
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 very large kernel.
Chez grass. Lasiogrostis Splendens.
A giant grass which grows native in
pure white alkali soils and desert sands.
Young plant relished by stock. May
develop into great forage crop plant
for cry western states. especially in
alkali spots since it is found growing in
dry shifting sands. 1t is relished by
native stock. Professor Hansen brought
only a small amount of seed for experi-
mental purposes.
Several early fruits. including a new
Siberian cherry, which may be found
alton for producing hardy cherry for
cold western states. Siberian black
currants and gooseberries are also in
cluded in this shipment.
Professor Hansen started on his ST.
berlan trip May 20 and returned to
Brookings on November 8. First he
went to ST. Petersburg, by way of Elm
land. where he secured his official pa
pers. He next went to Moscow, where
he organized his expedition. From
Omsk, Siberia, his next stop, he went
southwark to Semipalatinsk in souther-
most Siberia. This is country of great
Climatic extremes; with rainfall OF
only 8 or 8 inches. From here he took
the wagon route among the Nomads,
the Klrkhiz Tartars, being protected
by an armed Cosssck guard. Profes-
sor Hansen visited the Nomad settle
ment in the dry steppes where he or
ganized collecting force for gathering
alfalfa seed.
The difficulties Of the journey were
many. The horses which pulled the
wagons were wild. The wagon was his
home night and day. with frequent visits
by scorpions, tarantulas, snakes, etc.
He lived largely on Kumyss, or mare :
milk, fst-tailed mutton. broom corn,
Siberian millet, coarse wheat bread
Only his previous experience and the
"know-how'' gained on former trips
made the work of this expedition possi-
BILE, especially in SO short time.