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Onobrychis saliva (Sainfoin; esparcette ; asparset ; .Bourgoyne 

 Fig. 22). A deep-rooting perennial legume, extensively cultivated 

 in the temperate portions of Europe on dry, calcareous soils which 

 are too barren for clover or alfalfa. The stems are erect or ascend- 

 ing, one to two feet high, ribbed and downy, the leaves unequally 

 pinnate, composed of six to twelve pairs of opposite leaflets, with 

 an odd terminal one. The bright pink flowers are numerous in 

 spike-like racemes, borne on a long stalk. A permeable, well- 

 drained sub-soil is essential for its growth. Like alfalfa, it is 

 quickly killed whenever the ground becomes saturated with water, 

 and is therefore not suited for growth in wet meadows or in marshy 



FK;. 22. Sainfoin (Onobrychis saliva). 



lands. There is no better plant for growing on barren hills, but it 

 does better on the sunny slopes than on those facing north. It is 

 rather difficult to establish, as the plants are easily killed when young, 

 but when once well rooted, sainfoin will live from twenty to twenty- 

 five or sometimes a hundred years, provided the soil is rich enough. 

 One crop of hay can be cut each year. It should be cut at the 



