90 THE CLOVER CROP. 



fibrous. It differs also in the shape of the calyx, and in 

 other botanical points of minor importance. This is the 

 variety found growing naturally in old pastures, moors, 

 and waste places ; and although existing under very dif- 

 ferent conditions, it preserves its general characters with 

 great persistency. 



The Common Perennial variety, or " Cow Grass," appears 

 to occupy an intermediate position between the Native 

 Perennial and the cultivated Red clovers. Its leaves and 

 stems, though woolly in appearance, are more like those 

 of the latter variety ; it is more permanent in its duration, 

 and comes to maturity generally a week or ten days later. 

 Its feeding properties certainly are not superior to those 

 of the Common Red clover; and as the seed is always 

 higher priced, it offers but little inducement for cultiva- 

 tion. There are other varieties of the perennial sorts in 

 the market, known by the name of the different countries 

 which supply the seed, of which the French and the 

 German are the most esteemed. 



Trifolium medium Zigzag Clover, or Marl Grass. 

 This species is generally confounded with the Cow Grass, 

 from which, however, it is entirely different. In appear- 

 ance, however, it greatly resembles the Common Red 

 clover, but is readily distinguished from it by its more 

 rigid zigzag stems, narrower arid darker green spotless 

 leaflets, and, above all, by its creeping roots, and being 

 always found growing in considerable patches, instead of 

 solitary plants, like the other varieties. It is also met 

 with on very dry banks, the tops of old walls, &c. Owing 

 probably to this variety having been confounded with the 

 true Cow Grass, it has been recommended for sowing in 

 permanent pastures, for which the Cow Grass is well 

 adapted. It is most desirable, however, to avoid mixing 

 this with any grass seeds, either in the rotation or for 

 permanent pasture, as its herbage is less productive and 



