The breeding of hardy fruits has been the leading work of the Department of Horticulture of South Dakota State College ever since the fall of 1895. Many requests have been received for bulletins containing the record of this work. Many of these are out of print and are no longer available. This bulletin contains a complete record of plant introductions from the beginning of the work up to 1927.

The three main species of alfalfa are Medicago sativa, the common blue flower variety; Medicago falcata, with yellow flowers; Medicago media, with variegated flowers, hybrid of the yellow-flower Medicago falcata and the blue-flower Medicago sativa alfalfa, also called Sand Lucern.
   In the course of three trips to Siberia as Agricultural Explorer for the United States Department of Agriculture (1897-98, 1906, 1908-09), I endeavored to find the northern limit of alfalfa in Asia, the native home of the standard blue-flowered alfalfa. Both the yellow and blue- flowered alfalfa are cultivated in India. The northern limits of the blue-flowered alfalfa are between Taskhent, northern Turkestan, and Semipalatinsk, Siberia. The yellow-flowered alfalfa extends some 5,000 miles northeast of Taskhent to the Aldan River, north of Yakutsk, with a winter temperature approximately -85 degrees Fahrenheit.
   I found that the northern limits of the blue-flowered alfalfa are between Taskhent, northern Turkestan, and Semipalatinsk, Siberia. The last place noted for the blue-flowered alfalfa was Kopal, south of Sergiopol. The trail of the blue-flowered alfalfa faded out under the snow at Kopal, south of Sergiopol. This I learned in 1897 in the course of an overland tour of 1300 miles by wagon (tarantass) and 700 miles by sleigh from Taskhent, Turkestan, via Kuldja, Ti province, western China, to Omsk on the Siberian railway.
   I worked at this problem again in 1913 for the State of South Dakota. On my 1924 tour, I learned that it extended to Vekoyansk, the north pole of cold, with a record of -91 degrees Fahrenheit, Verkoyansk at a rough estimate is 1,900 miles north and 3,700 miles east of Taskhent. My report, “The Wild Alfalfas and Clovers of Siberia, with a Perspective View of the Alfalfas of the World”, was published May 28, 1909, as Bulletin 150, Bureau of Plant Industry, United States Department of Agriculture. In 1906 I brought the Siberian form of Medicago falcata from Siberia to America for the first time. My estimate still holds that this Siberian alfalfa will extend the alfalfa belt on this continent to the Arctic Circle whenever that becomes necessary. Several varieties of the pure yellow-flowered alfalfa, Medicago falcata, have been distributed. The strongest in growth is the one from Semipalatinsk (1908 and 1918). All these yellow-flowered varieties shell their seed through a long season, which is Nature’s way of securing a stand in its native country with only eight inches total annual rainfall. To improve the seeding habit from the standpoint of raising seed, let the plants stand uncut and select seed from the plants that hold their seed the longest. Some will hold the seed until frost and later. This work is not yet completed.

   Transplanting Alfalfa—My machine method of transplanting alfalfa was first noted in South Dakota Bulletin 141, January, 19138, and later in South Dakota Bulletin 159, April 1915, and Bulletin 167, June, 1916. It is a special method for the quick production of seed of new varieties but has never been recommended for field culture. It is interesting to note that, aside from small lots, the first large lot, one thousand pounds of Cossack alfalfa seed, was raised in 1913 by machine transplanting. By transplanting, one pound of seed is sufficient for twenty acres, instead of the old method of twenty pounds for one acre. When fully standardized and perfected, I believe it will be the means of reclaiming millions of acres of dry western uplands where present varieties and methods have been found unequal to the task because the plants dry up before the roots get down to permanent moisture.

Hybrid Alfalfas—From South Dakota Bulletin 141, January, 1913: In Asia and southern Europe wherever the common blue-flowered alfalfa and the yellow-flowered alfalfa grow near together, the pollen is carried from one to the other by bees and other insects so that hybridization takes place freely. These hybrid alfalfas are sometimes called Sand Lucerns. Their number is legion and they consist of all sorts of mixtures in varying proportions of the yellow and blue alfalfas.
   From the 1911 list: “Medicago falcata ranges much further north in Asia while Medicago media is a natural hybrid which occurs where the ranges of the yellow and blue-flowered alfalfas overlap. The crossing occurs freely where the two are grown together. These hybrid or mule alfalfas are distinguished by wonderful vigor of growth, and their quick recovery after cutting; also the seed does not shatter prematurely. Medicago falcata ranges much further north in Asia and is no doubt hardier, but the seed is inclined to shatter too early; this, however, will no doubt soon be bred out by selection. The plants vary greatly in habit, some being as tall and erect in habit as any plants of the common blue- flowered alfalfa Medicago sativa; while others are of low semi-trailing habit. The latter may prove valuable for steep slopes and mountain pastures, while those of erect habit will, of course, be best for mowing. Russian experience shows that Medicago falcata as found native in eastern Russia and Siberia stands grazing much better than the common alfalfa; in my opinion, this Siberian type of Medicago falcata will be a valuable addition to our native ranges.”
58 BOLLETIN 224    Since Medicago falcata is very widely distributed in Europe and Asia, ranging in Asia from India north to above the Arctic Circle in Northeast Siberia, the plant varies greatly in its ability to resist cold, hence it follows that hardiness of this hybrid alfalfa must depend large-- ly on the region from which it comes. Coming from the mild region of Southern Europe it could not be expected to be as hardy as if it came from drier and more severe climates. Hence while nature has indicated in the Sand Lucerns a method of increasing the vigor of alfalfa by hybridization, we do not know that this combination is the best one that it is possible to make.
   These hybrid alfalfas as a class are superior to either parent in vigor and productiveness. I have originated many varieties by alternate machine transplanting of one-year-old plants of two varieties as first noted in South Dakota Bulletin 159, April, 1915. But the pressure of other work has prevented their further development and propagation. South Dakota No. 1 and South Dakota No. 2 are the only two distributed of this series of hybrids. ‘The chief trouble is that the variable variegation in the color of the flowers makes it impossible to identify them, so their sale is entirely a matter of good faith. This need of a definite trademark led me to work for a white-flowered alfalfa.

Cossack Alfalfa—Introduced 1910. This is my No. 194 of my 1906 trip (S. P. I. No. 20714). A Sand Lucern (Medicago media), a hybrid alfalfa from Voronezh province of the Don river region of southeastern Russia. This spontaneous or natural hybrid of M. falcata and M. sativa will sometimes have blue flowers on one branch, yellow on another, sometimes both colors on the same branch; a heavy seeder here the past three years. This stock descended originally from a single plant growing wild and in my opinion this hybrid condition should be continued and the colors not isolated by selection as it appears to add extra vigor.
   The strongest and best of these hybrid alfalfas is the one I brought from Russia in 1906 and named the Cossack, noted in South Dakota Bulletins 159 and 167. The Cherno Alfalfa, sister plant of the Cossack, has been consolidated with the Cossack as it is not possible to distinguish them. The small spoonful of seed which I brought home from Russia in 1906 and named Cossack has been developed in the hands of many farmers so that the 1916 crop in the western part of South Dakota was fully one thousand bushels, now much more. The Cossack acreage has steadily increased to many thousands of acres.
   From the 1911 list: At this Station, “One plant of the Cossack bore 41,430 seeds in 1911. Herc it is decidedly stronger in growth than the Turkestan, and appears hardier, although it will probably not go far north as the pure yellow-flowered Siberian aifalfas.
   “TI believe that the Cossack and Cherno will be two of the best hay alfalfas for South Dakota. In color of flower they vary greatly, scarce- ly any two plants alike, ranging from the deepest violet purple through red purple, old rose, lilac, green, tan, deep yellow, light yellow, even into clear white. The prevailing colors are as already described.”
   Since some South Dakota farmers have received as high as $5,000 for one year’s crop of Cossack alfalfa seed, it is evident that this variety has won a place in the list of desirable commercial varieties.

Cherno Alfalfa—From the 1910 list. This is my No. 196 of the 1906 trip (S. P. I. 20716). A Sand Lucern or hybrid alfalfa (Medicago media) descended originally from a single plant found wild on the steppes of the Voronesh province, southeastern Russia, land of the Don Cossacks. The flowers are called black-green, but are really a very dark purple, changing to a rich green with dark purple veins; plant of strong, very upright growth, a heavy seeder here the past two years. In my opinion this hybrid condition of the plant should be continued and the colors not isolated by selection as it appears to add extra vigor. Cherno refers to the dark-colored flowers, being the Russian word for “black”.
   Later the Cherno was consolidated with the sister plant, Cossack, as it was not possible to distinguish between them.

Hansen’s Hybrid Alfalfa No. 1.—Introduced 1917. This variety was produced by transplanting the Semipalatinsk alternately with my Select Turkestan S. P. I. 20711. The latter is characterized by wonderfully tall erect habit of growth. The seed was saved of the Semipalatinsk plants and instead of producing yellow flowers, I find that the work of hy- bridizing is practically finished, as fully 86 per cent of the plants come strongly variegated in many colors. Only 14 per cent come with yellow flowers which is the normal color of the Semipalatinsk. The original seed was sown in 1915 at the rate of four pounds per acre in 18-inch drills which we found was much too thick. The crop of 1916 was 7,200 pounds of hay on 1.4 acres, or at the rate of 2.57 tons per acre in one cutting. The yield was really heavier but the frequent rains prevented getting all the crop.

Hansen’s Hybrid Alfalfa No. 2.—Introduced 1917. This originated from a single plant of the yellow-flowered alfalfa, Medicago falcata, from Samara, Russia, S. P. I. 20721, with the typical sickie-shaped pod of the Medicago falcata but with blue flowers instead of the typical yellow flowers. Seed of this one plant was saved and the plants showed most wonderful variegation in colors of blossom. These plants proved proof against killing frost June 9, 1915, when common alfalfa was badly hurt.

Hansen’s White-Flowered Alfalfa.—Introduced 1917. While the hybrid alfalfas with the variegated flowers have shown wonderful hardiness and productiveness, it would be an advantage if they could be bred with a definite outstanding characteristic by which they could be readily recognized. For example, an alfalfa with white flowers would have in this color a distinctive trade mark that would protect against misbranding and substitution in the sale of seed. This would be much the same as the Hereford cattle breeders putting a white face on their breed to serve as a trade mark. Holstein cattle are known by the black and white color; Hampshire hogs are known by the white belt. Many other cases might be mentioned. In the case of alfalfa it would be difficult to keep this seed pure, even after the type is fixed, since the flowers cross- fertilize so readily. But it could be done by suitable care as to the location of seed plantations. The Cossack alfalfa exhibits strong tendency to light-colored variegation and even to pure white flowers. For several years I have been endeavoring to select a white flowered alfalfa that would also be as hardy and productive as any of the others. Some of my correspondents report white flowers in the new alfalfas but that the colors do not come true. It is evident that careful selection must be practiced.
   The variety here offered distinguishes itself by strong upright growth and productiveness both as to forage and seed. It is a beginning only. From last spring’s experience we find that the seed comes fully 70 per cent true to the white color, but the work may easily he completed. Owing to lack of room the seed is now offered to experimenters elsewhere. The seed may be sown in rows and the plants transplanted after one year’s growth as described in my Bulletin 167. The plants that do not come true as to white color of flowers should be removed as soon as they show the off color. This variety originated as a seedling of the yellow-flowered alfalfa, Medicago falcata, from Omsk, Siberia, grown closely adjacent to the Cossack.

Hansen Whiteseed Alfalfa.—Introduced 1926. In my spring list for 1917 Hansen’s Whiteflowered Alfalfa was first introduced. It soon became evident that some of these had white seeds also. In 1921 my white-seeded and white-flowered alfalfa was announced, but was not ready for distribution. Since then many inquiries have been received for seed. In the beginning I had over 40,000 white-flowered alfalfa plants, but how to breed this color true, both as to flower and seed, has been a problem. This would be desirable as the farmers would know before sowing what they are getting. So far as I know this is the first alfalfa with a definite trademark, an easily distinguished characteristic for the protection of the purchaser. Both seed and flower are white. The pedigree indicates hardiness sufficient for all practical purposes, even far to the North and for dry uplands. But this must be determined by actual comparative field trials with other varieties. The work of selection is not yet completed. I now have 896 plants in the field, all with white flowers and white seed and all grown from seed of plants bearing white flowers and white seeds. These individual plants are all of strong and vigorous growth and productive of seed and forage. They are all descended from the yellow-flowered Siberian alfalfa, which I brought from Omsk, Siberia, in 1906, grown closely adjacent to the Cossack. The Cossack alfalfa started with a half teaspoonful of seed which I brought from Russia in 1906. It is now grown by the thousands of acres in western South Dakota and other states. It is well known that a field of Cossack is well marked by its light colored variegation, from blue clear through to yellow and even to clear white; in fact, a field of Cossack shows many white-flowered plants.

Gobi Desert Alfalfa. — Introduced 1910. This Medicago ruthenica gathered in my 1908 trip (S. P. I. 24451) from the Gobi desert of Northern Mongolia. It should be tried by experiment stations only until better known. Worthy of trial where the most extreme cold (when mercury freezes) comes during long periods in winter without any snow on the ground, and with very hot, dry summers.
   This species, native of dry sand dunes, proved to be too slender in growth. It was one of the main wild plants for horses, camels, cattle and fat-rumped sheep in parts of Mongolia where the winter temperature ranges to 50 degrees below zero, often with no snow on the ground, and with hot dry summers.

North Sweden Alfalfa—Introduced 1910. This is my No. 51 of the 1906 trip. (Seed and plant introduction No. 20571). From twenty-year old fields near Ultuna, about sixty degrees north latitude Sweden. A Sand Lucern or hybrid alfalfa (Medicago media), a natural hybrid of the blue-flowered M. sativa and the yellow-flowered M. falcata, bearing yellow and blue flowers; plant of a vigorous upright habit, a heavy seeder here the past two years. Judging from its origin it will probably do best in moist cold regions and be resistant to cold rather than to drouth. The rainfall here has been above normal the past two seasons (1908-9).

Obb Siberia Alfalfa.—Introduced 1910. This is a Medicago falcata gathered in my 1908 trip (S. P. I. 24452) on the open steppes near Obb on the Obi river of the Tomsk province, central Siberia. In hardiness and general characters it is much like the Omsk Siberia strain.

Omsk Siberia Alfalfa——Introduced 1910. This is my No. 199 of the 1906 trip (S. P. I. 20719) and is (Medicago falcata) descended from seed picked from wild plants near Omsk, Akmolinsk province of Western Siberia, late in the fall of 1906. The plants hold their own perfectly with other native plants in the compact prairie or steppe sod. Omsk is in the latitude of fifty-five degrees. A plant of vigorous habit with bright yellow flowers. The plant varies somewhat in erectness of habit so that there is room for improvement by selection.

Orenburg Alfalfa.—tIntroduced 1912. This is my No. 261 of my third tour to Siberia, 1908. This is Medicago falcata, grown from seed gathered for me from plants growing wild in the dry steppe region at Orenburg, Orenburg province, on the extreme eastern border of European Russia. Summer heat 98 degrees above, and winter cold of 33 degrees below zero Fahrenheit, are not uncommon. The annual rainfall at Orenburg is a little less than 16 inches; in this region the yield of hay from this wild yellow-flowered alfalfa is reported at 300 Russian “pood” per dessiatine, which equals two tons per acre, and the yield of seed 26 pood per dessiatine, or 348 pounds per acre.
   Some people are interested in this variety because of its habit of sprouting from the roots at some distance from the original crown.

Samara Alfalfa.—Introduced 1910. This is my No. 201 of the 1906 trip (S. P. I. 20721); of tall erect growth with beautiful yellow flowers (M. falcata). From the dry steppes of Samara province in the Volga river region of eastern Russia. This may range further south than the Omsk and Obb Siberia strains, but should be found drouth-resistant and sufficiently hardy for South Dakota.

Hansen’s Select Turkestan Alfalfa.—Introduced 1912. This is Med- teago sativa Turkestanica, No. 191 of my 1906 trip (S. P. I. 20711), originally developed from seed of a single plant found at Taskhent, the capital of Russian Turkestan. This plant is remarkable for its erect and vigorous growth. At Moscow it was found very hardy and productive, a beautiful plant, where the French lucern, by which is meant the ordinary cultivated alfalfa of southern Europe, winter-killed. This variety will be appreciated wherever the Turkestan alfalfa is found fully hardy.

Hansen Siberian White Sweet Clover.—Introduced 1914. This is Melilotus alba raised from seed found growing wild on the dry steppes of Semipalatinsk, Siberia, in 1913, by Prof. N. E. Hansen while traveling as Agricultural Explorer for the State of South Dakota. Melilotus alba is the common white sweet clover which is native in Europe, North Africa and Middle Asia. In Europe it is found as far north as latitude 15 degrees, 16 seconds in Norway. As found under cultivation, the ex- act origin of common Sweet Clover is not known. It will be of interest to ascertain the comparative value of this strain of the plant from this 8-inch rainfall climate at Semipalatinsk, Siberia, with temperature ranging from 50 below zero Fahrenheit in winter to 106 degrees above in summer. At the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, this Siberian Sweet Clover has been found to be of great promise as the hardiest, earliest and best of all strains of White Sweet Clover. It may have a great bearing on the problem of adding humus to summer fallowed land.

Arctic Sweet Clover is the name that has been given to this variety in Saskatchewan, Canada. But the name Hansen Clover or Hansen Siberian White Sweet Clover should be retained as it has priority and the plant is not really arctic in its range. In the early beginnings of this work it was found that the transplanted plants in cultivated rows seed very freely the first season, much better than when crowded in ordinary field culture.

Melilotus officinalis, Siberian form—Introduced 1924. This is the Siberian form of the ordinary yellow sweet clover found by N. E. Hansen on the dry plains of Semipalatinsk, Siberia, in 1913.

Melilotus dentatus, Siberian form.—From the 1914 list: A tall yellow-flowered sweet clover from the Semipalatinsk region, Siberia, by N. E. Hansen in 1913. Seeds very large, stems red tinted. Preliminary feeding tests at the Imperial Agricultural College at Moscow, Russia, indicate that cattle prefer it to the common sweet clover.

Daghestan Yellow Sweet Clover.—From the 1917 list: Melilotus officinalis from Daghestan Province, Transcaucasia, bordering on the Caspian Sea. “Considered as a very good fodder plant.” This is S. P. I. 20682 from my 1906 tour to Russia. Good abundant foliage and a free seeder.

Hulling Proso.—In August, 1917, the first Proso huller in America was received by the South Dakota State College from ‘Russia. I ordered it from Russia, but owing to the submarine campaign it had to be sent via Siberia and Japan, so it was one year and seven months on the way. This machine was exhibited at the South Dakota State Fair at Huron September, 1917. If necessary this machine may easily be duplicated, as it is not elaborately constructed as seen by the cuts shown in our spring list for 1918. Meanwhile, for home use one can get along without the huller by using an old coffee mill or small hand grist mill. In such cases the grain may be cleaned by sifting and pouring on a sheet in a current of air.

Many hundreds of lots of wheat and other cereals, grasses, soy beans, kaoliang, millets and other farm seeds were obtained in my six tours to northern Eurasia. Most of these are noted in the Plant Inyentories, especially Nos. 1 and 2, of the United States Department of Agriculture. Many seeds included in the 1924 tour remain to be tested. In 1924, in northern Manchuria, one point noted was the great commercial importance of soy beans and kaoliang. Kaoliang is not planted far apart in hills, as we do corn, but much closer together. The Japanese experiment stations are rapidly developing the more southern type of soy beans to a high degree of perfection, but the more northern types await fuller development.

Chee Grass.—Introduced 1914. Lasiogrostis splendens. “Chee” is the native Kirghiz Tartar name. Chee Grass is a giant grass growing up to 16 feet or more on pure alkali soils on the dry steppes at Semipalatinsk. I brought this from my fourth expedition to Siberia on the dry, open steppes near Semipalatinsk, Southern Siberia. This is a region with a total annual precipitation of eight inches, including both rain and snow, and with a temperature range of from 106 degrees in summer to 50 degrees below, Fahrenheit, in winter, often without snow. We have not had good luck with the seeds as they are too small, but the plant propagates freely by division of the old plants. On heavy black soil here at Brookings the plants have not attained as large size as on the white alkali soils of Semipalatinsk. In its native home the Kirghiz use the old stems for matting in the tents, but early in the spring the grass is eaten freely by all live stock. Some plants sent to the Experiment Station at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, made a vigorous growth. This plant should be preserved until the pressure of population makes it advisable to reclaim white alkali lands.

Samara Perennial Clover.—From the 1912 list. A perennial red clover native of the dry steppes of the Volga region and east European Russia. It is Trifolium alpestre Crantz; (S. P. I. 20654) from my 1906 tour. Fine plant but we find difficulty in getting even germination of seed. Freezing or sulphuric acid treatment of seed will probably solve the problem.

Siberian Esparsette——Introduced 1914. A good forage plant brought by Prof. N. E. Hansen in 1913 from the dry steppes near Semipalatinsk, Siberia. This Siberian form of esparsette or sanfoin, an erect-growing legume, should be tested where the French esparsette is not hardy.

Siberian Red Clover.—Introduced 1914. Found growing wild by N. E. Hansen along the Irtish River in the Semipalatinsk Province of Siberia in 1918. The growth indicates that it is only for the far North where the winter-killing is more of a factor than further south where the common red clover, which comes to us from the milder climate of western Europe, is successful.

Phleum Boehmeri. Siberian form.—Introduced 1924. The Siberian representative of timothy. Found on the highest and driest hill sides near Semipalatinsk, Siberia. The spikes, when bent, divide into smaller spikes, instead of bending uniformly as in common timothy. This seed did not germinate, so this is not really an introduction but is listed for future reference.

Hansen’s Mongolian Wheat.— Introduced 1914. Very large kernels, cultivated by the Kirghiz nomads southwest of Semipalatinsk. I have had some good reports from this variety. Here at Brookings, it rusted badly from being planted near barberry bushes which were on the grounds at the time.

Siberian Vetch. Vicia sp.—Introduced 1914. A tall growing perennial Vetch found growing by N. E. Hansen on the dry steppes at Semipalatinsk, Siberia, in 1918. This makes a dense mat of leaves with abundant blue flowers. The value of this plant is not yet determined. Seeds of a yellow-flowered Vetch were collected at the same time and place, and sent out in the 1914 list.