Advantages and Disadvantages of Chicory. 47 



were sown with a mixture of plants, amongst which 

 were chicory and burnet, and that in 1800 much chicory 

 was visible. Arthur Young gives many evidences of its 

 suitability for sheep. Finally, he sums up his reasons 

 for advocating the use of this plant as follows : — 



1. The greatness of its produce for soiling on good land. 



2. Its yielding so amply in feeding sheep on all soils. 



3. Its being remarkably applicable in the very poorest 

 and most barren chalks and sands. 



4. Its forming a most profitable change on all lands 

 upon which clover fails from too often repetition. 



Advantages ajid Disadvantages of Chicory. — As 

 regards the hay crop the advantages of chicory are — (1) 

 That it effectually holds up the crop, and this not only 

 increases its bulk, but favours the growth of the smaller 

 grasses and other plants, and also small plants which 

 have sprung later in the season ; that (2) when the 

 weather is favourable it quickens the winning of the 

 hay, as, the stalks ventilate the cocks ; and that (3) the 

 stumps of the flowering stems keep the grass off the 

 ground when the cut grass is in swathe, or in cock. 

 This favours ventilation, and the grass underneath 

 the cocks. 



The disadvantages of chicory, as regards hay, are 

 that, if the weather is wet, it retards the winning of the 

 hay, as it holds much water. Another disadvantage is 

 that hay with chicory in it requires to be used the first 

 year. If kept over a year it becomes dusty, and is 

 therefore unsuitable for stock, but there is no reason 

 to suppose that it is unsuitable for stock and farm 

 horses if used during the first year, nor do I know 

 that it is unsuitable for horses in fast work— though I 



showed in 1901 a fair proportion of burnet, chicory, and kidney vetch. 

 Two acres of this field were railed pfE, and let to a blacksmith for his cow. 

 I particularly inquired whether any effect on the quantity and quality 

 of the milk had been produced by the chicory and burnet, etc. No effects 

 were perceived, but the cow certainly gained in condition from the 

 pasture, and became distinctly fatter. 



