104 THE CLOVER CROP. 



the description of clovers and of grasses used. When the 

 clovers are sown by themselves, about 12 to 15 Ibs. per 

 acre are generally sufficient say about 8 to 10 Ibs. 01 

 the common red clover (T. pratense), 2 to 3 Ibs. of the 

 white clover (T. repens), and 1 to 2 Ibs. of the yellow 

 clover, or hop-trefoil (T. procumbens). To this mixture 

 a small proportion of the rib-grass, or narrow-leaved plan- 

 tain Plantago lanceolata say about 2 Ibs. per acre is 

 frequently added with advantage. This grows very well 

 with the clovers, and adds considerably to the bulk of the 

 forage produce. Where the mixture contains grass seeds, 

 the proportions of the clovers are reduced to about one- 

 half the foregoing quantities ; ryegrass is usually added 

 to the extent of from 1 to 2 bushels to the acre, and from 

 6 to 10 Ibs. of some of the other pasture grass, selected 

 for their suitability to the particular soil, of which perhaps 

 the cockVfoot Dactylis glomerata is the most pro- 

 ductive and most generally esteemed. If the seeds be 

 only intended for one year's rotation, the Italian ryegrass 

 should always be used ; if for two or three years, it is 

 advisable to use one-half of the Italian and one-half of the 

 ordinary perennial variety Lolium perenne. 



The selection of the seeds the clover seed and ryegrass 

 seed especially demands great care and attention. They 

 are all liable to adulteration to an extent that frequently 

 materially diminishes their productive returns. 1 The Red 

 clover seed should be plump, and of a deep purple colour 

 This denotes that it has been fully matured and well 

 harvested. To detect any impurities or adulterations, it 



1 The practice of "doctoring" clover seeds was carried to such an extent 

 some few years ago, as to be made a subject of inquiry before a committee of 

 the House of Commons. "White clover seed was first wetted, and then 

 exposed to the fumes of burning sulphur; while the purple colour of the Red 

 variety was improved by being shaken in a bag with indigo, or with a prepa- 

 ration of logwood tinctured with a little copperas, or sometimes with verdigris. 

 Not only was old seed improved in appearance by these means, but often the 

 germinating power of the best seed was entirely destroyed." 



