102 THE CLOVERS— RED AND COWGRASS. 



Trifolium, pratensis perenne. — Under this head Mr. 

 James Huntee says : — It is the variety of Eed Clover 

 usually found in old pastures ; is more durable than 

 the common Broad-leaved Eed, and suits medium and 

 heavy soils better than light ditto. Is of greater value 

 for permanent pastures than the true Cowgrass (except 

 on light soils) being more productive and nutritious. 



Mr. Martin J. Sutton states his belief that Perennial 

 Eed Clover originated in a cross between Common 

 Eed and the Zigzag Clover. The root of Perennial 

 Eed Clover reaches down into the subsoil, thus 

 enabling it to obtain moisture and nourishment in the 

 hottest weather, when Common Eed gives up from 

 drought. This penetrating habit also affords a means 

 of sustenance to the plant on land which is too poor to 

 grow the Common or Broad Eed, and makes it desirable 

 to increase the proportion of this seed for pastures on 

 thin uplands. It does not begin to flower untU. at least 

 ten days later than Broad Clover, and its more robust 

 and solid stems remain succulent and eatable by stock 

 long after Broad Clover has become pithy and withered. 

 It fills up the gap between the first and second cuttings 

 of Broad Clover, coming into use at a time when there 

 is no other available green food for the horses of the 

 farm; but it rarely gives a second crop of any con- 

 sequence. It produces comparatively little seed from 

 its single crop (it is sometimes called " Single-cut Cow- 

 grass "), and the seed of it is consequently high in price, 

 and is rarely obtainable except from those who make 

 its culture a study. It is an invaluable plant for per- 

 manent pasture. Its presence in a pasture at mid- 

 summer, when Alsike is giving up, is of greatest ser- 

 vice, and, although it does not produce a good crop 



