89 



proportions are 16,000 of red clover and 45,000 of alsike clover seed in 

 an ounce. The seed varies from a dark green to a violet color; weight 

 94 to 100 pounds per bushel. 



The farmers of the South would do well to try this species of clover 

 by sowing it with red clover or herd's grass in the spring of the year upon 

 bottom land, and upon mellow and moist, well-drained clayey soils. The 

 many moist bottoms along the streams would suit it. The valley of East 

 Tennessee offers some excellent soils for its growth as well as the High- 

 land Rim of Middle Tennessee, and the uplands of Northern Alabama 

 and Georgia. 



WHITE CLOVER ( Trifolium repens.}(For Pasture.) 



This hardy species of clover grows in almost every part of the 

 United vStates and Europe. It is said to be the shamrock of Ireland. 

 Various estimates have been made as to its value, many persons claiming 

 that it is totally worthless, while others place it among the most valuable 

 of the grazing plants. In Tennessee it unquestionably stands next to 

 blue grass for pastures. It is to the pasture what red clover is to the 

 meadow. All stock, even hogs, will fatten on it, but after its first inflo- 

 rescence it salivates horses. To the beekeeper it is very valuable, being 

 one of the best honey-making plants in the South. 



It is rarely sown in any of the states, but it comes up spon- 

 taneously, sometimes almost disappearing one year and in another year 

 completely covering the pastures and yards. Farmers often speak of 

 white clover years and this is due to the prevalence of early rains in the 

 spring. Whenever blue grass is pastured too heavily white clover comes 

 to its relief and supplies good grazing during the dryer months of sum- 

 mer. It will grow on almost any character of soil, sterile or fertile, cold or 

 warm, moist or dry. It is virtually a perennial plant, which gives it a great 

 advantage as a pasture grass over red clover. Analyses have determined 

 its highly nutritive qualities. It is said to be richer in these than blue 

 grass. It is not fit for a meadow as its dwarfy growth makes it difficult 

 to cut, though hay made from it is said to be excellent. A good pasture 

 of white clover is by no means to be despised by thrifty farmers. The 

 seed may be bought from seed stores and sown at the rate of about one 

 bushel for twelve acres. 



The time of sowing is the same as that for red clover. 



SAINFOIN OR ESPARCBT (Century Diet) (Onobrychis saliva.} (Hay.) 



This is a perennial leguminous plant resembling the pea more than it 

 does clover. It has straggling, smooth, tapering stems from two to 

 three feet long. Its flowery stalks are higher than the leaves, ending in a 

 spike of crimson or variegated flowers. This is what the French call a 

 sacred grass and is considered more valuable in that country than almost 

 any other. 



It will grow upon dry calcareous soils, which are too sterile for 

 growing either clover or alfalfa. The soil must be well drained for it 

 dies whenever the ground becomes saturated with water. Sainfoin re- 

 quires two or three years to arrive at maturity and is rather difficult to 



