508 THE HOME, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPAEDIA. 



Isles. It still continues a favourite plant for soiling purposes. Although 

 the virtues of Lucerne have been most largely descanted on by British 

 writers, it is a .plant which is far better adapted to our own climate than 

 that of Britain, as abundantly evidenced at the Ontario Experimental 

 Farm. The latter country it would appear, does not possess the requisite 

 degree of heat and dryness to insure the full advantage of its real value as 

 with us. It pushes forth with vigour in the spring, and increases in lux- 

 uriance from year to year. It is generally tit for cutting a fortnight 

 earlier than red clover. It starts with remarkable vigour immediately 

 after being cut, and in the course of a week the field is again covered witli 

 verdure. Lucerne requires a deep soil, although if sown on a dry, light 

 soil, it will extend its roots downwards to a great depth, and will show 

 increased luxuriance of growth year after year. 



This clover is so important that we give its analysis : 



ICO parts as taken green from the field. 



Water 69.65 



Albuminous or flesh forming principles 3.83 



Fatty matters 82 



Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc. 13.62 



Woody fibre 8.74 



Mineral matters or A sh 3. 04 



100.00 

 100 parts of the grass dried at 212 Fahr. 



Albuminous or flesh forming principles 12.96 



Fatty matters 2.75 



Heat producing principles, starch, sugar, gum, etc 40.16 



Woody fibre 34.21 



Mineral matter or Ash 10. 11 



100.00 



SAINFOIN or COCKHEAD (Onobryclds sativa). 



France is considered the country most favourable to the growth of Sain- 

 foin. In Europe it is commonly called French grass (Sainfoin, Holy Hay) . 

 In Switzerland and other mountainous countries, Sainfoin is a main de- 

 pendence, because in many parts of those countries the finer grasses will 

 not grow profitably. 



Sainfoin has long been cultivated in England, and is found growing 

 wild in nearly all the chalky districts of the kingdom. Its cultivation is 

 still an important feature in British husbandry. Chalky soils, and sand 

 upon chalk, are its favourite soils; also loams and clays, if not too stiff or 



