(57) 



inost sultry weather, when every blade of grass droops for 

 "want of moisture, Lucerne holds out its stem fresh and 

 green as in the genial spring. 



Although so luxuriant in France, it will not flourish in 

 England for the want of sun. It has generally failed in the 

 Northern States for the same reason, superadded to the cold, 

 while in the South it is a fine, thrifty plant. It has been 

 fully tested in Georgia and Alabama, and has given univer- 

 sal satisfaction. Horses there, it is said, require no other 

 -food when not constantly engaged in work. Five tons of 

 good hay have been made to the acre. It is estimated that 

 five horses may be supported during the entire year from 

 one acre of it. It is ready for the mower a month before 

 red clover, and springs up long before the usual pasture 

 grasses. In saving it for hay, care must be exercised, as 

 in red clover, not to expose the plant too long to the sun, 

 as it will shrivel and dry up the leaves, and they will be 

 lost. The time for cutting is when it is in full bloom, as in 

 red clover. 



Occasionally it is attacked by an insect, when it begins 

 to turn yellow, then it should at once be cut, as it will 

 quickly dry up otherwise. Owing to the scarcity of seed, 

 and the small amount cultivated, it is quite expensive, but 

 the farmer can test it on a small quantity of land, and at 

 the same time secure seed for future sowing. The first year 

 it is apt to be troubled' by the presence of weeds, but these 

 can be easily exterminated if the precaution is observed to 

 run the mower over it before weeds go to seed. After- 

 wards no fears need be entertained on that subject. 



This plant is well adapted to the use of persons living in 

 small towns or villages, who have a small lot they wish to 

 devote to hay for a single horse or cow. No other kind of 

 clover or grass will equal it4n quantity, while the quality 

 is as good as the best. 



On the whole, the farmers cannot do better than adopt 

 the cultivation of this grass. It has proved, with all who 



