(56) 



necessarily prepares the land for increased production, the 

 leguminous plants deriving the larger part of their suste- 

 nance from the atmosphere, and storing it in the roots; 

 so that, as a fertilizer, it stands deservedly high. The 

 soil is not only fertilized to the amount of several tons per 

 acre, but it is mellowed from the mechanical displacement 

 of the soil and the admixture of decayed vegetable matter. 

 As a preparation for wheat it is equal to clover, and for 

 corn better. Besides, a large amount of the leaves is neces- 

 sarily strewn on the ground, and they shade it effectually. 



The seed of Lucerne is yellow, and heavy, when good. 

 If brown, it has received too much heat in the mow, and if 

 light colored, it indicates that it was saved too green. And 

 the same precautions are necessary to be observed in regard 

 to red clover. The time of sowing is the same with the 

 other species of clover, that is, spring time. It should be 

 sown in drills, and cultivated the first year, so as to keep 

 down the weeds. It is easily smothered. 



It derives its name, Alfalfa, from the Chilians. It grows 

 spontaneously all over Chili, among the Andes, as well as 

 on the pampas of that country, and of Buenos Ayres. The 

 French and Spanish settlements of the Southern States ad- 

 here to it, and cultivate it in preference to all other forage 

 plants. It would be a good addition to the farms of West 

 Tennessee, especially in the sandy bottoms. It would also 

 thrive upon the alluvial bottoms of any part of the State 

 where the sun has fair play on the ground. 



When properly managed, the number of cattle which can 

 be kept in good condition on an acre of Lucerne, during 

 the whole season, exceeds belief. It is no sooner mown 

 than it pushes out fresh shoots, and wonderful as the growth 

 of clover sometimes is, in a field that has been lately mown, 

 that of Lucerne is far more rapid. Lucerne will last for 

 many years, shooting its roots — tough and fibrous almost a 

 those of liquorice — downwards for nourishment, till they 

 are altogether out of reach of drought. In the dryest and 



