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THE FARMERS HANDBOOK. 



Golden vetch or tare is the most popular variety grown, and the one most 

 commonly quoted by the seedsmen. The Hairy vetch is a more vigorous 

 grower, and a much later variety. It is remarkably hardy and drought- 

 resistant, and care has to be taken that the seed does not spread, as self- 

 grown plants may give trouble later. 



Hairy Vetches (Vicia vil'osa). 



CLOVERS.* 



Clovers are leguminous plants belonging to the genus Trifolium (three 

 leaves). They are distinguished from other legumes by the flowers being 

 clustered in a head and by the seed pods being scarcely longer than the 

 calyx of the flower. Again, the seed pods do not open, and often fall off the 

 plant when the enclosed seed is quite ripe. 



Clovers are very common throughout the world, and although there are 

 over 200 species, comparatively few are found growing in any abundance. 

 For example, as far as this State is concerned, the following are the only 

 species found growing spontaneously in pastures in any quantity: — White 

 clover (Trifolium repens), Hop clover (T. minus and T. procumbens), 

 Hare's Foot clover (T. arvense), Ball clover (T. glomeratum), and Woolly 

 clover (T. tomentosum). 



These legumes have long been recognised as some of the most useful 

 plants to grow as (1) an adjunct to pastures, (2) a rotation or green 

 manure crop, and (3) a hay crop. 



* J. N. Whittet, Agrostologist. 



