252 NATURAL HISTORY. 



and weeded In two months from the time of planting, 

 and before the flowers appear, the leaves are cut off and 

 dried in the sun ; after this, they are laid for a few days 

 in a kind of stone vat, from five to six feet deep, which 

 is then filled up with clean water in order to extract the 

 coloring matter, a process during which fermentation is 

 produced. The preparation of Indigo is considered a 

 most unhealthy occupation, therefore many of the pro- 

 vinces, for instance Surinam, where it used to be carried 

 on to some extent, have given it up, and the planters 

 have turned their attention to other, more agreeable and 

 healthful, if not more profitable employments. The 

 coloring matter which is about as thick as mud. settles 

 on the bottom of the vat, whence it is removed, put into 

 linen sacks, dried, and exported as an article of com- 

 merce, b. L. 



Clover (Trifolium), Tourn. The clover family consists 

 of small, juicy plants, which grow everywhere, in mea- 

 dows, fields, or woods ; flowers situated on small pedicels, 

 are head-shaped ; considered as excellent food for cattle. 

 The best known of the clover genera are, first, 



The Meadow or Red Clover (Trifolium pra tense), is 

 well known, being largely cultivated everywhere ; its red 

 flowers not only adorn the meadows, and with the leaves 

 furnish excellent fresh pasture for cattle, but, filled with 

 honey, attract the bees, which may be seen hovering over 

 them all day long. The odor of ripe clover is delight- 

 "ful, nor is its usefulness ended with the summer, for cut 

 down by the scythe of the mower, dried in the sun, and 

 made into hay, it is most valuable in the winter for feed- 

 ing cattle. $ . 



Creeping White Clover (Trifolium repens). Stems 

 rather creeping and diffuse ; lying on the ground, and 



