SAINFOIN. 



Otiobrychis sat'wa. Nat. Ord., 

 Leguminosfe. 



AINFOIN, though it is better 

 known probably to most per- 

 sons as one of the field-crops of 

 the agriculturist^ has a full claim 

 to appear in our pages as a 

 familiar wild flower. It is in- 

 digenous to Britain, and should 

 be looked for in its wild state 

 on dry chalky hills, in limestone 

 districts, and on the great open 

 expanses of down so characteristic 

 of some parts of Southern Eng- 

 land ; while its value to the 

 farmer as a forage-plant has led 

 to its wide distribution almost 

 everywhere, though it thrives 

 to best advantage on dry and 

 high-lying lauds, and on soils of similar geological 

 character to those it naturally affects. The plant is 

 a perennial of light and graceful aspect, and those who 

 would seek its pink clusters of pea-like blossoms must 

 search the spots we have indicated during the months of 

 June and July. 



The stems of the sainfoin are numerous, at first somewhat 

 75 



