MINOR CROPS. 331 



value of the crop with which they are grown. When grown 

 with oats the yield varies from 1^ to 3 tons of hay per acre. 



The vetches are extremely free from insect or fungus 

 pests. 



SAINFOIN iOnohrychis vici(sfolia.) 



This is a perennial with a strong tap root and numerous 

 erect stems, which reach a height of 1 to 2 feet. It has com- 

 pound leaves and an inflorescence that is spikelike, long and 

 thin, with showy pink flowers. Sainfoin has been cultivated 

 in France for 400 years. It prefers calcareous soils of open 

 texture and is very drought-resistant. Piper cites Lawson, 

 who claims that the plant may live for 100 years. It does 

 poorly in competition with weeds and is generally sown at the 

 rate of 60 to 100 lbs. per acre. As a pasturage it is excellent 

 and has not been known to cause bloating. It w^ould appear to 

 have possibilities in South Africa, where calcareous soils are 

 found, to furnish grazing in July, August and September and 

 hay during summer. 



SULLA OE SPANISH SAINFOIN (Hedysarum coronarium). 



This is a perennial legume which has been tried at the 

 various experimental stations in the Union. It prefers much 

 the same soils as sainfoin, but is not so drough resistant and 

 vigorous in growth. The flowers are red and the compound 

 leaflets are less in number than those of sainfoin. The plant is 

 greyish in appearance and the seed is diflicult to germinate. 



BUKNET (SANGUISOEBA MINOR). 



This is a deep-rooted perennial herb making an excellent 

 winter growth in South Africa. The leaves are ovate and the 

 leaflets deeply toothed. The stem is about 1 foot long and 

 bears a few heads of light green or purplish monoecious flowers. 

 It is sown at the rate of 30 lbs. per acre. Burnet, or Sheen's 

 Burnet as it is commonly called, is fairly hardy and drought- 

 resistant, and, like sainfoin, prefers calcareous soils. It is not 

 very palatable, but is looked upon as an excellent tonic, espe- 

 cially for sheep during the winter months, and will furnish 

 good grazing under very adverse winter conditions. While the 

 sainfoins and Burnet make excellent growth, the stands readily 

 become sparse in competition with weeds or if hard soil surfaces 

 are formed. 



