164 



THE SAINFOIN CROP. 



The composition of the ash or mineral matter has been 

 thus determined by Mr. Way: 1 - 



The mineral constituents of sainfoin greatly resemble 

 those of the foregoing plants clover and lucerne the 

 most marked features of which are the large proportions 

 of lime and of sulphuric acid, and the comparatively small 

 proportion of phosphoric, they require to carry on their 

 growth. In all cases a calcareous soil, rather than a soil 

 rich in phosphates, appears necessary to their healthy de- 

 velopment ; and as both lime and sulphuric acid are cheap 

 fertilizers, they may always be added in liberal propor- 

 tion to tlie soil in which these crops are intended to be 

 cultivated. 



1 Roy. Agri. Soc. Jour., vol. ix. p. 142. 



