INSECT INJURIES, AND CHEMISTRY OF CHOP. 163 



leguminous forage plants, no doubt, are equally capable, 

 under certain conditions, of exerting an influence over this. 

 The injuries the crop sustains arise chiefly from the natural 

 grasses and other weeds getting possession of the soil, and 

 consuming the available mineral food, which would other- 

 wise go towards the development of the cultivated plants. 

 This may in a great measure be remedied by the careful 

 preparation of the land before sowing, and keeping up its 

 condition during the growth of the crop. 



The insect injuries have not been so well studied as those 

 affecting the clover crop. There is but little doubt, how- 

 ever, that the same class of insects which infest the one, 

 are also capable of inflicting injuries upon the other. The 

 slugs and small weevils already described are its principal 

 enemies in its early growth, after which it rarely suffers 

 to any noticeable extent, though no doubt each spring 

 the early shoots are more or less devoured by the same 

 class of insects. One weevil is peculiar to the sainfoin, 

 and has been consequently named the " sainfoin weevil"- 

 Apion hedysari. It differs somewhat in colour and general 

 appearance from those already alluded to, but its habits 

 and mode of attack are exactly the same. 



For what we know of the chemistry of sainfoin, we are 

 indebted to Mr. Way and Dr. Yoelcker. In the green or 

 natural state, it contains on the average about 75 to 78 

 per cent, of water, and 1'5 to 2 per cent, of ash. Its organic 

 composition is given as follows : 



1 Mr. Way. 



2 Dr. Voelcker.. 



