60 



PASTURE PLANTS AND PASTURES OF N.Z. 



This plant has been largely used in England and the 

 Continent of Europe both as a pasture and a forage plant. It 



succeeds only on limestone 

 country. Many trials of it 

 in New Zealand have con- 

 vinced growers that it is not 

 worth bothering about. 



Birds-foot Trefoil {Lotus 

 corniculatus, L. major, L. an- 

 gustissimus, SiTid L. hispidus). 

 — These four species may 

 be dealt with together as 

 they have but one common 

 name. They are slender 

 branching plants with bright 

 green leaves of three leaflets. 

 The stipules, however, are 

 broad and hke the leaflets, 

 so that at first glance the 

 leaves appear to have fine leaflets and no stipules. The 

 flowers are large and bright yellow, and the slender pods 

 spread out like the toes of a bird's foot. 



Lotus corniculatus is a perennial, and establishes very 

 deep and firm roots, which penetrate deep into the sub- 

 soil. The feed produced is plentiful, practically equal to 

 that provided by Red Clover. It is fairly palatable and 

 nutritious. The plant will stand dry conditions excellently, 

 and there is little doubt that it should be given a thorough 

 trial in ])ermanent pastures in medium to very dry soils. 



Lotus major is also a perennial, but it grows well only 

 in damp, shady situations. It again is fairly palatable, and 

 produces a large amount of feed. Its importance, however, 

 is not so great as that of L. corniculatus, because there are 

 many plants that will do well in the only positions suitable 



Fig. 31. — Sainfoin, (after Fream) . 



