DIFFICULTY OF GROWING PERENNIAL SPECIES. 173 



the sea-coast, and offers, in an agricultural point of view, 

 some advantages for cultivation in such situations, where 

 it is generally capable of giving a better return than the 

 ordinary clovers do under similar conditions. It is not 

 strictly a perennial plant, though it lasts for several years 

 in full vigour. The root is fibrous ; the stem branching 

 and prostrate, about 2 to 3 feet in height, with flowers 

 of a dull yellow colour. 



6. V. sylvatica Wood Vetch is a perennial species, 

 with a slightly creeping root, smooth stem, elliptical 

 leaflets, tendrils large and branching, and flowers in loose 

 bunches, on long stalks, of a variegated pinkish colour. It 

 grows naturally on stony and inferior soils ; it is also met 

 with flourishing within the influence of the sea breeze, 

 and even when subjected to the salt spray arising from 

 the waves. It is very hardy, being found growing wild 

 even within the arctic regions, and is met with in culti- 

 vation in the most northern countries. It furnishes excel- 

 lent fodder either in a fresh or a dry state, and is readily 

 eaten by cattle ; but although it yields a large bulk of 

 herbage on soils and in situations where few other plants 

 would thrive, its cultivation has been hitherto entirely 

 neglected in this country. The irregular manner in which 

 it ripens its seeds, is no doubt an obstacle to its general 

 cultivation as a crop, as there would be a difficulty in 

 obtaining the seed in any sufficient quantity, unless they 

 were collected by hand-picking as they arrived at ma- 

 turity. As the pods ripen they become detached from the 

 stems, drop down, and are thus lost. 



Another obstacle to regular cultivation exists with this 

 as with the preceding perennial species the difficulty of 

 securing any strong erect-growing plants of similar dura- 

 tion to grow amongst them for their support, and which 

 would also serve for cutting at the same time for forage 

 purposes. The habit of the vetch is to attach itself, by 



