506 THE HOMK. FARM AND lU'SINKSS CYCLOPEDIA. 



reached Philadelphia, and was sown in gardens, and on pasture lots in the 

 neighbourhood of the city. 



Of the many substitutes for clover, which are grown in England, such 

 as lucern, sainfoin, &c., few of them are as yet extensively cultivated 

 with any degree of success in this country although lucern seems to be 

 far better adapted to the climate of this country than that of Britain. 

 Sainfoin has been cultivated in England since 1651, and is still in high 

 repute. Alsyke clover is not receiving the attention to which its superior 

 merits entitle it. The yellow clover or trefoils grow naturally on 

 a variety of soils throughout the country, on 'all of which they seem to 

 Flourish, but are not cultivated to any extent deserving of notice. 



To those who follow a system of soiling their cattle during the spring 

 and summer months 'a variety of artificial grasses will be found of great 

 benefit, as to which see special chapter on " soiling/' 



COMMON BED CLOVER (Trifolium pratense). 



Red clover abounds in every part of Europe, and even in Siberia. Al- 

 though it flourishes in dry, barren and shady places, yet it delights most 

 in such as are rich, moist and sunny. This plant affords a large produce 

 of leaf and blossom, by which the land is preserved in a more perfect state 

 of closeness and shade, while the crop continues upon it, than by 'any 

 other artificial grasses. It has consequently a greater influence in amel- 

 iorating the soils and preparing them for wheat crops to greater ad- 

 vantage. 



The soils best adapted to the growth of clover, as regards its nutritive 

 properties are decidedly cal carious ones, and the same may be said of 

 other grasses as well. No part of Europe, for instance, produces natural 

 grass of a finer quality than Ireland, and much of it has been immemori- 

 ally in pasture, but the surface soil lies almost throughout the island upon 

 a limestone bottom. 



WHITE CLOVER DUTCH CLOVER (Trifolium repens). 



Trifolium Repens or White Clover is also known under the name of 

 Dutch Clover, from the English having first learned its use from the 

 Flemings, and from large quantities of the seed being imported from Hol- 

 land. Its favourite soil is limestone, but it is one of the most general 

 grasses, being found in almost every situation, from the lowest to the 

 highest meadow ; though on very poor land it is often so small, and grows 

 in such a creeping manner among the lower leaves of other herbage, that 



