212 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



3-4 EDWARD VII., A. 1904 



DIVISION OF BOTANY 



FODDER CEOPS. 



The season of 1903 was not a good one for the production of hea\T^ crops of fodder 

 of any kind. In the East an exceptionally prolonged drought prevented grass and 

 clover from starting well, and although, when rains came, these crops picked up in a 

 surprising manner, still the yields were below the average in most places. A cool, 

 damp autumn prevented corn from maturing and made it difficult to cure all hay 

 crops. 



Among various fodder plants which have been grown on the experimental plots 

 at the Central Experimental Farm, one Avhich has lately received much attention is 

 Sainfoin (Onohri/chis sativa, DC). This beautiful plant, which may be known at once 

 by its pinnate leaves and large cones of rose pink flowers on slender stems, is allied 

 to the clovers, and, as a rule, is spoken of as a clover in the same way as Alfalfa or 

 Lucerne is. It was noticed on the experimental plots that the flowers of this plaut 

 were extremely attractive to bees, and it is also a producer of gool fodder, suitable 

 for all stock. It is not as heavy a cropper as Alfalfa, but like that is a persistent per- 

 ennial which roots deeply and in localities which suit it, produces heavy crops of hay. 



The following notes on the cultivation of this plant have been prepared mainly by 

 Mr. John Fixter, the farm foreman at the Central Experimental Farm. 



SAIXFOIN. 



This clover has attracted much attention on the Central Experimental Farm, both 

 as a fodder plant and also as a honey producer. In its cultivation and manner of 

 growth it resembles alfalfa, but it is slightly finer and grows thicker in the bottom, 

 having a more decided stooling habit, which makes it better for pasture. It is specially 

 liked by sheep. The soil best suited to the growth of this plant seems to be a deep 

 rather dry loam, containing a fair proportion of lime with good natural drainage. It 

 will do well upon almost any soil that is well drained, provided it gets a good start. 

 Heavy clay and light sandy soils both produce excellent crops of sainfoin, but on the 

 latter it naturally requires generous manuring. It should never be sown on land likely 

 to be covered with water at any seasoji of the year. The amount of seed sown under 

 ordinary conditions is about 20 lbs. per acre. Great care should be taken to secure 

 new and plump seed; the hulled seed is preferable when it can be obtained, as it is 

 easier to sow and germinates more quickly. A good seed bed is of great importance, 

 and one of the best methods for preparing this, and also at the same time clearing the 

 land of weeds such as quack grass and thistles, is to cultivate it with a firm-footed cul- 

 tivator. If the field has been in meadow or grain, do not plough, but simply cultivate 

 and harrow ; first cultivate as shallow as possible, then pass the heavy iron harrows at 

 a good sharp walk across the first cultivating. This operation will break up the sod 

 or stubble very fine and leave it on the surface to dry out. The second cultivating 

 should be in the opposite direction to the first, and likewise the harrowing. By this 

 operation two-thirds of the sod will be loosened from its roots. It usually requires 

 about four cultivations and four harrowings to make a perfect job. All this work 

 must be done on fine sunny days, and the sooner after harvest the better. The cul- 



