AND OTHER FOKAGE PLANTS. 15 



Murtrie, shows it to be oqual to clover as green food, or hay. It 

 is as follows, being thoroughly air dried : 



Oil, 1.50 



Gum. 1 f 13.80 



Sugar, dextrin etc. ^carbohydrates, < 12.80 



Starch, J L 11.00 



Chlorophyl, ") f 5.20 



Gluten, S nitrogenous compounds, < 0.90 



Albuminoids, [ 9 - 60 



Cellulose, 33.30 



Inorganic matter, 11.90 



100.00 



The reader may compare with the analysis of red clover. The 

 analysis of the ash gave 



Insoluble silica, 22.740 

 Soluble silica, 2.740 

 Lime, 29.456 

 Magnesia, 1.605 

 Phosphoric acid, 7.457 

 Peroxide of iron, trace- 

 Sulphuric acid, 2.617 

 Chlorine, 2.840 

 Potassa, 23.824 

 Soda, 6.860 



99.639 



This plant grows luxuriantly on our southern, sandy pine lands 

 as well as red clover does on rich land and yields as much green 

 or dry food. It attains a length of three to six feet and may be 

 mowed and fed green, or dried in the same manner as clover in 

 order to save the leaves. When the land is once set with it, it 

 springs up from seed early in spring. Crops may be cultivated 

 on the land ; and if laid by before July, this plant springs up and 

 soon covers the ground. It is relished by horses and mules, 

 cows and sheep. 



Penetrating the earth deeply with its roots, it bears drought 

 well and brings up from the subsoil and prepares in roots and 

 stems most valuable fertilizers; being rich in lime, phosphoric 

 acid, and remarkably so in potassa. By its dense shade in the 

 heat of summer the soil is protected, evaporation of volatile fertil- 

 izers prevented and plant food absorbed from the atmosphere. 

 The physical condition of the soil and subsoil also is improved by 

 its roots. In all these particulars its action is very similar to 

 that of red clover. 



It is not known how far north it will flourish; but it is prob- 

 able that on all the sandy pine lands of the States bordering the 

 gulf, it will prove a very profitable crop for feed, fertilizing and 

 soil-ameliorating our noses. 



