28 
grows from 2 to 3 feet high, and is recommended as a crop to plant for the pur- 
pose of enriching the ground, and at the same time freeing it from weeds. It 
has a deep taproot well supplied with tubercles, which gather large amounts of 
nitrogen from the air. It yields good forage while young, but should not be fed 
after the flowers appear. The seeds contain a bitter alkaloid. After this has 
been removed by soaking or boiling the seeds are sometimes used as food. 
Lupinus hirsutus. Blue lupine. 
The blue lupine is an annual, much resembling L. albus in value and habit of growth. 
Its only use is for turning under as green manure. 
Lupinus luteus. Yellow lupine; Scented yellow lupine. 
This annual species is the one most generally used in middle Europe to improve 
sandy soil, as the best of all yet tested. It is satisfactory even on sand dunes 
along the coast. Like the other lupines, it can be fed green or as hay. 
quor. 3 
tI sen uec Are terim ce dU Iu E 
"i Ap 
poli LL A EID ee aah METRI E pM E ic 
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Fig. 24.—Lupine (Lupinus albus). FIG. 25.—Tarweed (Madia sativa). 
a seeds of this species are very fattening when used as an addition to hay, and are 
in this respect quite equal to oil cake, while the foliage is said to be not inferior 
to that of clover, and more bulky. Ninety pounds of seed are required per acre. 
It should be sown in spring as soon as the ground is warm. It attains maturity 
