106 Clovers used at Clifton-on-Bowmont. 



plants, some of whicli are growing here now. I have 

 not paid much attention to this grass ; but Sinclair 

 evidently did, as he says that it is a remarkably hardy 

 grass, and that " it possesses very valuable properties, 

 and will be found a valuable ingredient in permanent 

 pastures, where the soil is not too dry, but of a medium 

 quality as to moisture and drjmess." With reference to 

 its hardiness, the writer said that " in February 17, 1814, 

 after the severe winter preceding, this species of Poa 

 was perfectly green and succulent, while not one species 

 of grass, out of nearly 300 different species that grew 

 around it, remained in a healthy state, but were all 

 inferior, and more or less injured by the severity of the 

 weather." I have elsewhere dwelt upon the obvious 

 advantages of confining our attention as much as 

 possible to the cultivation of the most hardy grasses, 

 which, of course, are much safer for the farmer than the 

 less robust kinds, and I hope that the mention I have 

 made of the matter may induce seedsmen, and others 

 interested in this important subject, to devote some 

 attention to Poa nervata. 



The clovers used by me at Olifton-on-Bowmont are : — 



Late-flowering Red Clover {Trifolium pratense perenne 

 var.). — The best form of red clover for my system, com- 

 bining the qualities of permanence, productiveness, and 

 the capability of resisting drought to a greater degree 

 than any other red clover with which I am acquainted. 

 I have used this variety extensively for nearly twenty 

 years, and it has never failed. Its value as an accumu- 

 lator of nitrogen from the atmosphere is second to none, 

 and I think it one of the most important plants in my 

 system of farming. 



White or Dutch Clover {Trifolium repens). — Too well 

 known to call for remark. 



Alsike, or Swedish Clover {Trifolium hybridum). — 

 Although neither deep-rooting nor drought-resisting, 

 the Alsike clover is of too great value in a temporary 



