52 PASTURE PLANTS AND PASTURES OF N Z. 



Leguminosae have acquired the pecuharity of containing 

 in their stems and leaves a much higher proportion of 

 nitrogen compounds than the grasses or the other 

 pasture plants contain. Thus when a clover plant is 

 ploughed into the soil, it actually enriches the soil in 

 nitrogen compounds, seeing that it puts into the soil 

 nitrogen which was originally drawn from the air, and of 

 course the same is true if only the stubble of the clover 

 is ploughed in, or if the clover is returned to the soil as 

 the excrement of animals. Since nitrogen in compounds 

 suitable for food for all other kinds of plants is one of the 

 substances in which soil is very frequently lacking, and since 

 it is most easily suppUed by growing clovers and other 

 leguminosae, this order of plants is of the highest importance. 

 A mixture, or an alternation, of clovers and grasses will 

 allow more grasses to be grown than if the clovers were 

 omitted, and we have at the same time the added feed from 

 the clovers as well. Further the clovers with their higher 

 nitrogen content form a particularly nutritious food for 

 stock, and for aU these reasons the plants of this order deserve 

 detailed study in order, if possible, to extend their culture. 



The following are those most commonly used : — 

 Red Clover {Trifolium pratense). — A strong growing 

 clover ; leaves with three leaflets ; stems ascending, not 

 creeping ; leaves and stems hairy ; stipules terminating in 

 two long points that are usually hairy. 



This is one of the most useful clovers. The amount of 

 feed it produces is very large, even its first season, and it is 

 in the highest degree palatable and nutritious. It is largely 

 used for hay, and makes an article of the highest quahty. 

 It has deep penetrating tap-roots which work their way 

 down into the stiffest sub-soils, and so have a largely in- 

 creased space from which to draw food stuffs, especially 



