GRASSES. 1161 



through the U. S. Patent Qffice. It is an annual forage plant, intro- 

 duced into France in 1815, where its cultivation has become con- 

 siderably extended. It germinates readily, withstands the drought 

 remarkably, remaining green even when other vegetation is parched 

 up ; and if its development is arrested by dry weather, the least rain 

 will restore it to vigor. It has numerous succulent leaves, which 

 furnish an abundance of green fodder, very much relished by all 

 kinds of stock. It is shown in Fig. 4. * 



It flourishes in somewhat light and dry soils, though it attains 

 its greatest luxuriance in soils of medium consistency and well ma- 

 nured. It may be sown broadcast, and cultivated precisely like the 

 varieties, of millet. This grass is thought to contain a somewhat 

 higher percentage of nutriment than the common millet. It is a 

 leafy plant, and remains green until its seeds mature, and is no doubt 

 valuable for fodder, both green and dry, growing and maturing hv 

 about the same time as common millet. From twenty-five to thirty 

 bushels of seed to the acre have been obtained. 



Clover. ■ — This is one of our most valuable agricultural plants. 

 There are a large number of yarieties> of which the red and white 

 are of the greatest value to the farmers of this country. Red clover 

 is the most extensively grown,, and is regarded as the standard. The 

 seed can be sown upon the snow in spring, and be allowed to 

 work its way into, the soil — with grain, in spring or in fall, or 

 atone or with other grass in August. It is important that there 

 should be considerable moisture in the surface soil at the time of 

 sowing, and that some protection should be afforded from the heat 

 of the summer sun when the plants are small. It often happens 

 that, clover sown in spring with grain succeeds better than that 

 which is sown alone. 



The quantity of seed to be used depends upon the soil and the 

 purpose for which the crop is to be grown. From' eight to sixteen 

 pounds may be considered as the extremes. The more, seed the 

 finer the stalks, and the better the quality of the hay which can be 

 made from them. When sown with the grasses, from four to six 

 pounds on well prepared loams,, and eight to twelve pounds on clay 

 land, is about the average. 



Clover is better suited to dry land than to that which is wet. 

 Its long roots enable it to -resist the influence of drought to a high 



degree. 



Clover should not be pastured when very young. The cutting 

 of a crop for hay should be done when the heads begin to turn 



