NORTH-CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 181 



CHAPTER XIII. 



Red clover belongs to the Lcguminosae Organic constitution Composition 

 of its ash Differs in composition from the grasses Failures in its culti 

 vation For a green crop Lucerne Sanfoin. 



113. In the northern and western sections of the United 

 States the red clover, though not a grass, is now regarded as 

 one of the important resources of husbandly. It forms of it 

 self an excellent food for cattle. It is one of the most speedy 

 and effectual means by which soils may be brought to pro 

 duce remunerating crops. It is therefore both a nutriment 

 direct for cattle, and a fertilizer for the cereals. It is in vir 

 tue of its rapid growth, large herbage and roots that it occu 

 pies a place in husbandry so important; besides, it derives no 

 inconsiderable part of its substance from the air. In the nat 

 ural classification, it belongs to the family leguminosce^ or the 

 same family as the bean and pea. Its common name, clover, 

 is most in use. It is sometimes designated by the term trefoil, 

 three leaved. 



It scarcely requires a description, as it is known by every 

 farmer and planter. Its stem is inclined to be prostrate or 

 ascending, and the leaves are oval, and stand in threes at the 

 termination of the stem. 



The red clover, after many years cultivation, has developed 

 a number of varieties. One of these varieties is biennial and 

 another is perennial, and like many other biennials which has 

 become so in other families of plants, it frequently lasts 

 three or four years, provided it is not suffered to go to seed. 



Clover is a very easy plant to cultivate in a cool, moist cli 

 mate. In one similar to North Carolina, which, perhaps, is 

 more subject to droughts than New England or New York, it- 

 is more difficult. This arises from the tenderness of the young 

 plant. In its early stage, if exposed to a burning sun, it dies. 

 But it is not difficult to protect beneath the shade of another 

 plant, and thereby save it from perishing. 



Clover is a nutritious fodder, and cattle and horses are very 



