108 Lucerne. Draw Moss. 



Lucerne (Medicago sativa). — On light, dry, or chalky 

 soils, in the south of England, the Lucerne is of great 

 value, but it seems to be unsuitable to our soil and 

 climate, and I now do not use it. It has been recom- 

 mended by Sir John Lawes to be used when laying down 

 land to grass, and 2 lb. an acre may be added to the 

 seed mixture for permanent pasture. 



Eriphorum. vaginatum (cotton grass, or draw moss). 

 — This, though called a grass, is a sedge which thrives 

 best in peaty lands. Its effects on sheep are so remark- 

 able that a little space may be pi'ofitably devoted to it 

 for the benefit of pastoral farmers, and with the view of 

 suggesting means for increasing it. A neighbouring 

 proprietor, who is also a practical farmer, has sent me 

 a bundle of letters from correspondents of practical 

 experience in the moorland farms, and also an account 

 of the proceedings of the Teviotdale Farmers' Club, 

 where the subject of this grass was discussed and its 

 merits generally admitted. One of the correspondents 

 alluded to says that the value of a hill grazing is 

 greatly enhanced for blackfaced sheep if there is a good 

 supply of draw moss on it, and that it has a special value 

 in the spring months, though the sheep eat it all the 

 year round. In a very open spring he has seen the 

 blackfaced sheep mellow in the skin and flush in the 

 condition on account of their having had a good supply 

 of draw moss. Another correspondent writes that it is 

 invaluable for lean sheep in a backward spring, and 

 rapidly brings them forward. It is a common saying 

 that a good draw moss year is a good sheep year. A 

 third correspondent points out that, especially in bad 

 seasons, its presence or absence on a hirsel (sheep farm) 

 makes all the difference between being well or badly 

 lambed. None of the various correspondents have ever 

 heard of an attempt being made to increase the supply 

 of this highly valuable sedge. One of them mentions 

 that when some of the land on which it grew was burnt, 

 the effect of this was to increase the supply ot the 



