51 



VI : If the plant is liberally manured with I', y. manure and re- 

 gularly watered, up to 4 cuttings may be taken, once every about 

 '^5 days. Generally only 3 crops are obtained the plant being then 

 left for seed. 



Y1I : Cooked as a pot-herb by poor natives, particularly during 

 time of scarcity. It bears a great resemblance to Purslane and Spi- 

 nach in taste. It is highly mucilaginous and has demulcent and emol- 

 lient properties, particularly employed in cases of irritation of the 

 pulmonary and of the urinary organs. Externally it is used as an 

 emollient cataplasm to allay inflammation. 



VIII : The plant often grows as weed on cultivated land. A 

 loamy soil suits it best Plenty of moisture is indispensable and much 

 manure to obtain a large stock of succulent leaves. Of the easiest 

 propagation and culture. 



Medicago sativa ; Bersim Higazi ; Lucerne or Alfalfa ; 

 Leguminosae ; Papilionaceae 



II : By seed ; in drills 30 35 cm. apart. One and half kela 

 per fed dan. 



III : From March 15^ to the 15 th of May ; the most favourable 

 time, however, is about the middle of April. 



V : It is generally grown for a period of 3 years. The crop will 

 yield from April to December a cutting every 30 40 clays and from 

 December to the end of March little more than one cutting is obtained. 



VI : The total number of cuttings obtained during the year is 

 about 8. but if seed is to be taken, this is reduced to an average of 

 7 cuttings weighing about 45 tons altogether. 



VII : Excellent for horses and milking cattle. Compared to ordi- 

 nary Bersim (Trifolium Alcxandrinum) it possesses greater feeding 

 value being poorer in water and richer in albuminoids. However it 

 is richer in fibre than Bersim on account of which Lucerne ought 

 to be cut before it gets too old. Is not made into hay. 



VIII : Not much grown. A perennial possessing a very long tap 

 root. Very exhaustive. Being a deep rooted plant, the great essen- 

 tial for its successful growth is a "good, deep and porous subsoil. 

 The surface soil is of slight importance. A rich sandy loam suits it 

 best. The soil should be prepared in the most thorough manner- 



