Two general kinds of types of studies are to be made of the clovers: identification studies, whereby you will come to know the kinds of clover; life history studies, whereby you will come to know under what conditions the plants live and thrive. The latter is the more important, but the former usually precedes it, for one is better able to discover and discuss the biological questions when he is acquainted with the species. The following questions will bring out some of the important biological aspects:
1. How many of the true clovers, the medics, and the sweet clovers do you know?
2. Send me properly labelled pressed specimens of the leaves and blossoms of the clovers that you have been able to find.
3. Dig a root of red clover and find the nodules on it. Please describe them.
4. What methods does the U. S. Department of Agriculture employ to inoculate the soil with bacteria so that alfalfa may grow?
5. How do clover roots protect the land from the effects of heavy rains?
6. How do the clover plants conserve the moisture in the soil?
7. How does this conservation of moisture aid the farmer and orchardist?
8. What is a cover-crop, and what are its uses?
9. Why do farmers sow red clover with grass seed?