186 NORTH-CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



According to Prof. Way, the proximate elements of lucerne 

 are as follows : 



Water, 69.95 



Albuminous matter, 3.83 



Fatty do 0.82 



Heat-producing matter, 10.32 



Woody fibre, 8.74 



Ash, 3.04 



When the plant is dried in a water bath at 212 Fah., the 

 albuminous matter amounts to 12.76, and the heat-producing 

 to 18.62 per cent. The albuminous matter or flesh-forming 

 elements of the Kentucky blue-grass are 10.35, and its heat- 

 producing matter to 43.06. It is therefore superior in flesh- 

 forming elements to this favorite grass. 



SANFOIN (HEDYSARUM ONOBRYCIIIS.) 



115. Like the clovers and lucerne, sanfoin is a legumi- 

 nous plant, but differs from the latter in many important par- 

 ticulars. It has many long leafy stems. The leaflets are 

 smooth and pinnate, or in pairs, rather oblong and pointed, 

 and slightly hairy on the under side. Flower stalks are ter- 

 minal and extend above the leaf stalks, and arranged in the 

 form of a spike, with crimson and variegated blossoms. The 

 stems grow from two to three feet high. The pods are flat, 

 hard and toothed on the edge ; root perennial and woody ; 

 flowers in July. 



According to the opinion of an experienced English agri- 

 culturist, who has resided many years in this country, the 

 sanfoin will prove a valuable addition to the artificial grasses 

 of this country. The following remarks containing a sum- 

 mary of his opinions I propose to embody for the considera- 

 tion of the planters and farmers of this State. 



In the first place, it will grow well on light soils, sandy and 

 gravelly loams. It may be sown after rye or barley, and 

 should not be fed the first year, or immediately after the crop 

 is removed. It may also be sown with grass seed. The fol- 

 lowing year it may be mowed, and then it is in a condition 

 to be fed by sheep. 



