34 ON THE CULTIVATED GRASSES 



2 CLOVERS AND OTHER PLANTS 



GENERALLY TERMED ARTIFICIAL GRASSES 



1. Achillea Millefolium (Yarrow, or Common Milfoil}. Fr. Achillee Millefeuille ; 

 Ger. Schafgarbe. A fibrous-rooted perennial ; flowers in June, July, and, occasionally, in the 

 succeeding months. Leaves slightly hairy, and cut into a number of partitions ; flower- 

 stalks furrowed ; root stems, which creep on the ground, striking root in the soil during 

 damp weather ; flowers generally white, but occasionally pink, and sometimes even deep 

 red ; grows naturally in dry pastures on light soils. The Yarrow is highly astringent, and 

 reckoned a grateful food for sheep, when mixed with the common pasture grasses ; but it 

 is more as a condiment that it is to be considered than as affording direct nutritive matter. 

 It is, therefore, generally sown in mixtures with such seeds as are reckoned best adapted 

 for permanent sheep pasture, and in soils where it is found naturally to thrive. This 

 plant may with advantage be sown on the poorest and driest pasture, and is capable of 

 withstanding the most excessive drought. In rabbit warrens, dry sandy slopes, and on 

 railway cuttings or embankments it may advantageously be introduced. 



2. Cytisus scoparius (Common Broom}. Fr. Genet; Ger. Pfriemenkraut. This 

 well-known plant has been recommended for sowing in pastures for sheep, to afford 

 them a supply of winter food ; but although they are found to eat it when grown naturally 

 within their reach ; yet from its excessive bitterness, and the diuretic qualities ascribed to 

 it, it may be questioned whether they do not do so rather by way of medicine than for 

 actual nourishment. The propriety of introducing Broom to a great extent is doubtful, 

 particularly as it invariably produces bad effects when eaten in large quantities. 



3. Lotus corniculatus (Common Birdsfoot Trefoil}. Fr. Lotier cornicule ; Ger. Grob- 

 kb'rnigcr Schotenklee. A prostrate deep-rooting perennial ; flowers eight or ten, generally 

 of a bright yellow, but sometimes orange-coloured, especially before being fully expanded ; 

 stem decumbent, smooth ; root thick and fusiform ; flowers about the end of June, and 

 continues till the end of August. Height from six inches to one foot. Grows abundantly 

 on dry elevated pastures, sandy links, and heathy places. This plant is well deserving 

 of cultivation on light dry and very elevated inferior soils, where it will yield a greater 

 bulk of herbage than any of the cultivated clovers. It is highly nutritious, quite equal 

 to any of the clovers, and eaten with avidity by cattle. From the great depth to which 

 its roots penetrate, it is not liable to be injured by drought, and is thereby enabled to 

 retain its verdure after the grasses and other plants are burnt up. 



4. Lotus major (Greater Birdsfoot Trefoil). Fr. Lotier majeure; Ger. Holier Schoten- 

 klee. A spreading or creeping-rooted perennial ; flowers in July and August; grows naturally 

 in moist situations, by the sides of ditches, damp hedges, osier beds, and bushy places, and 

 attains its greatest luxuriance in soils which have a portion of peat in their composition. 

 Possesses several good properties with the last, but yields a much greater bulk of herbage. 

 It is distinguished from L. corniculatus by its more luxuriant habit, also in the form of its 

 roots, which are fibrous and creeping, while those of the latter are thick and fusiform, 

 characteristics which both retain when cultivated under any circumstances. 



5. Medicago lupulina (Common Yellow Clover, or Trefoil, Nonsuch, Black Medick 

 Lupuline}. Fr. Minette jaune ; Ger. Gelbklee. A fibrous-rooted biennial or sub-perennial; 

 flowers from May to August; grows in dry pastures and cultivated grounds. This 



