SPECIES AND VARIETIES CULTIVATED. 9o 



time to time introduced here, and which occupy the same 

 plade in the farming of other countries as the foregoing 

 do with us. Amongst these are the T. alexandrinum 

 Egyptian clover an annual, growing to the height of 

 20 to 24 inches, and carrying pale yellow or whitish 

 flowers, which is largely grown in the East, and consti- 

 tutes the principal forage crop for cattle in those countries. 

 In a good soil and favourable climate, like that of the 

 valley of the Nile, it grows rapidly, and furnishes three or 

 four cuttings, of from 18 to 24 inches long, in the course 

 of the summer. It was introduced into this country by 

 Mr. Lawson in 1 83233, but was not found to sustain in 

 this climate the same vigorous growth that rendered it 

 so productive in its native country, and therefore was 

 less valuable to us than the T. incarnatum, for which 

 it was expected to be a substitute. This probably would 

 be a desirable species for some of our colonies, where the 

 climatal conditions are more suitable. The T. alpestre, 

 or Alpine Ked clover a native of the Alps, and various 

 parts of Europe is strictly a perennial species, carrying 

 an oblong or oval head of bright purplish red flowers, and 

 growing to the height of 18 or 24 inches on good soils. 

 It is a hardy plant, and is strongly recommended by many 

 of the continental authorities. The T. elegans, introduced 

 by Messrs. Lawson in 1824, resembles very much the Alsike 

 clover, of which it is probably only a variety. It is, how- 

 ever, of a smaller and more slender growth ; flowers not 

 above half the size, of a more uniform rose colour ; leaflets 

 usually bearing a horse-shoe mark. Though less succu- 

 lent than the Alsike, it is usually considered more durable; 

 and, losing less in drying, it makes a larger bulk of hay, 

 while, at the same time, it will grow on an inferior class 

 of soils. On those of a silicious or ferruginous character 

 it will give a good return ; whereas the T. hybridum de- 

 lights in those of a rich, marly, or loamy nature. 



