{ 134 } 
ject—the choice of grasses for artificial meadows. 
Those most recommended, by the experience of all 
countries, are lucern, sanforn, and clover, of the legu- 
minous family; and timothy, oat-grass, ray-grass, 
and meadow foxtail, of the gramineal. We shall 
say a few words ofeach. And Ist. of Lucern, This 
plant is a native of Media, whence its Latin name 
‘Medica. It was well known and highly esteemed by 
the ancients, uniting in itself many valuable quali- 
ties—early fitness for use, great productiveness, and 
duration,(I) and juices, the most nutritious and ac- 
ceptable to cattle. In the south of Europe, it still 
maintains this high reputation, and in our southern 
climates would entirely deserve it; but of its success 
here, we have doubts, founded on the fact, that all at- 
tempts made to introduce it, and coming within our 
own observation, have failed. ‘Two conditions are, 
however, indispensable to its prosperity in any cli- 
mate ; and these are, a rich soil and careful cultiva- 
tion. In wet, or stony, or stiff ground, it does not 
thrive. Its long tap-root must plunge into the earth, 
without obstruction, otherwise the plant suffers and 
dies prematurely. 2d. Sanfoin. This grows well in 
Europe, as high as the 5ist degree of north latitude. 
A species of it is found growing spontaneously in the 
Pays de Calais, which shows itself earlier than the 
more common or Spanish species. Its produce is 
less than that of lucern; but the quality of its bher- 
bage, whether green or dry, is better. Sheep are 
particularly fond of it. It affects high, dry, naked, 
(1) “ Tante dos est ejus ut eum uno setu fricenis annis duret medica.” Plin Nat, 
Hist. 
