CHEMISTRY OF THE CROP. 



149 



pears to average between 2-5, and 3 per cent, of the fresh 

 plant, is thus given by Dr. Anderson and Dr. Voelcker : 



These analyses would show that lucerne possesses feed- 

 ing properties fully equal to the clovers in every respect, 

 while at the same time its mineral requirements from the 

 soil are not such as to affect its fertility so much as those 

 of many of our other farm crops. Again, if we look at it 

 in its simple agricultural relations, and compare it with 

 our other forage crops, we see that it possesses the great 

 advantage of giving for a long period of years a very large 

 amount of produce for a very small comparative outlay of 

 labour or manure ; for, although the cost of preparation 

 for the crop, if properly executed, is considerable, it is of 

 but trifling amount when spread over the duration of the 

 crop, and compared with the annual outlay required by 

 an ordinary rotation. If the land be kept clean, and the 

 produce of the lucerne crop be returned to the field, there 

 can be no doubt that, at the end of the crop, the soil 

 would be materially richer than it was at the commence- 

 ment, as the habit of the plant is to strike its roots deep 

 down into the subsoil, and bring up from it the mineral 

 matters necessary for its growth, which are then left to 

 add to the fertility of the surface or agricultural soil. 



