CLOVERS AND ALLIED FORAGE PLANTS 101 



Clover (Lespedeza striata) is an annual plant 

 thriving on almost any class of soil, and in any situation. It 

 withstands dry weather and forms a dense growth, which 

 analysis has shown to be as rich in albuminous substances 

 as the best clovers. It is much relished by all kinds of stock. 



Sainfoin or Esparcette (Onobrychis sativa) is a deep-rooting 

 plant growing from two to three feet high with stems well 

 clothed with divided leaves. It grows best on limestone 

 formations, and in an ordinary season produces a quantity of 

 succulent herbage much relished by stock. If the plant is 

 cut when in flower it can be made into good hay. With 

 ordinary care and attention, Sainfoin will maintain its vigour 

 for eight or ten years, and yield two good cuttings annually. 



Scarlet or Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum) is an 

 annual, though in favourable situations it may be a biennial. 

 This rapid growing, very productive plant is a good auxiliary 

 forage crop for stock, and makes capital hay. When growing 

 this clover for green feed or for hay, care must be taken to 

 cut it at the early flowering stage, for if the seeds are allowed 

 to ripen the bristly hairs surrounding them may cause trouble 

 to the animals which eat the herbage. The scarlet clover 

 is one of the best plants to plough into the ground for green 

 manure. 



Shearman's Clover is spreading on rich, moist land in 

 the coast districts. Under favourable conditions it produces 

 a large bulk of succulent herbage much relished by dairy 

 cattle, which are said to thrive on it. 



Strawberry Clover (Trifolium fragiferunt) has quite dis- 

 tinct characteristics, and during recent years has spread very 

 much in pastures from the coast to a considerable distance 

 inland. It has a creeping habit, trifoliate leaves, and rose 

 coloured flowers, and when the seeds are maturing the heads 

 become swollen and resemble strawberries hence its popular 



