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THE LUCERNE CROP. 



Medicago lupulina Yellow Clover or Nonsuch is 

 frequently mixed in small quantities with clover and other 

 seeds, and sown down for artificial grasses. Its seeds, 

 which are produced in much greater 

 abundance, are consequently cheap- 

 er than those of any of the clovers; 

 and it is questionable whether this 

 circumstance may not contribute 

 to the extensive cultivation which 

 it receives, more than any real 

 merit which it possesses. Although 

 the produce is bulky, cattle are not 

 generally fond of it, either in a 

 green or a dry state, and only eat 

 it when mixed with any other more 

 palatable varieties of forage plants; 

 therefore it is advisable that it 

 should enter only very sparingly 

 into mixtures. 



Medicago maculata Spotted Medick or Hedge-hog 

 Plant is an annual, a native of this country and of 

 Europe generally, and also of North and South America. 

 The sandy districts bordering the sea line in the latter 

 countries, which in the dry season present the appearance 

 of sterile wastes, are, on the return of rain, almost imme- 

 diately covered with the luxuriant verdure of this and of 

 other allied species, so as to form rich sheep pastures ; but 

 their prickly pods often prove a considerable annoyance to 

 the animals, and injury to the wool, by becoming so firmly 

 entangled in it as to be separated only by hand-picking, 

 which entails a considerable loss upon the producer for 

 labour. With us the plant grows freely, even from seed 

 imported from South America, without being influenced 

 by the great change of climate. The stems are trailing, 

 and much branched ; the flowers are generally in pairs, 



MEDICAGO LIJPULINA 

 Yellow Clover or Nonsuch. 



