Aprils, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 245 



A Remarkable Fodder Plant. 



Shearman's Clover [Trifolium fragijerum var.). 



E. BKEAKWELL, B.A., B.Sc, Agrostologist. 



A CLOVER that will hold its own with paspalum, that will carry four to five 

 head of stock per acre during its growing season, that is eaten so greedily as 

 to cause bloating in half an hour, that will outstrip any clover yet known in 

 vigour of growth on wet soils, that appears to be equally palatable at any 

 stage of its growth — such is a description which may fairly be applied to a 

 new fodder plant recently brought to light. 



This clover is now well established on the low-lying situations at Fullerton 

 Cove, near Newcastle. It was originally observed and was first fostered 

 by Mr. J. H. Shearman, a dairyman in that locality. The story of that 

 development may well be told in Mr. Shearman's own words : — 



The first time I noticed it, as far as I can recollect, was about twenty-two years ago 

 (1897). It was then a small plant, running for a distance of about 6 inches on the edge 

 of a small drain or gutter that required cleansing at intervals. This drain ran through 

 the lucerne that was growing there at the time, and, the land not being worked, the 

 young plant, which would otherwise have been destroyed, was allowed to spread. 

 When I noticed how the plant grew so vigorously, my curiosity became aroused, and I 

 often inspected the plant. It soon grew along the drain for a distance of 20 feet, and 

 blocked the water from running. The clover had then to be shovelled out, and I put it 

 in a grazing paddock, where I fully expected that the cattle, by continuously eating it 

 down, would kill it. To my surprise, however, it grew and spread, killing out most of 

 the other grasses as it ran over the ground. This process took about ten years before I 

 discovered that I had a clover really worth caring for. I then began to plant it as fast 

 as possible, and at present have about 12 acres fully covered and growing beautifully. 



I am now able to make a fine lot of hay each year of exceptionally good quality. The 

 clover grows so vigorously when the land is dry that, without any exaggeration whatever, 

 it is capable of grazing four to five head of cattle per acre during the summer months. 

 Of course, I am only referring to land similar to mj' own, which was originally a salt 

 marsh and has been considerably enhanced in value by the clover, which appears to 

 grow almost as well in water as out. So far I have found no seed, 



A Comparison with Strawberry Clover. 



At first sight, and before it has fiowered, this clover would pass for 

 Strawberry clover. The two plants have, however, been side by side for 

 some time on the property of Mr. Alan Smith, Fullerton Cove, and also 

 during the past twelve months at the Botanic Gardens. An examination of 

 the two plants during their growing period reveals some striking comparisons 

 and certain points of difference. Under similar conditions Shearman's 

 clover spreads three times as quickly as Strawberry clover and produces fully 

 six times the quantity of feed. The leaves of Shearman's clover are long, 

 distinctly elliptical, and in the young stages are marked by brown dots 

 irregularly distributed over the surface ; the leaves of Strawberry clover are 

 smaller, rounder, and in their young stages are marked by dots regularly 

 distributed, generally forming a shape something like a horseshoe. Although 

 the flowers in these plants are very similar, those of Shearman's clover have 



