THE CLOVERS— WHITE. 109 



it is so hurtful as to almost deserve to be characterised 

 as a weed. Although its fibrous roots extend but little 

 below the surface, yet it is enabled to stand drought 

 well by the aid of the principal root of the parent stem, 

 which penetrates deeply and keeps up the supply of 

 sap in times of drought. 



Wet seasons favour the development of this plant; 

 and, in general, a climate that is warm and humid is 

 best suited to its nature. It succeeds well even on 

 drained bog or marsh land. 



Mr. M. J. Sutton says it does better in poor land 

 than Eed Clover; all cattle eat it with relish, but it 

 is less useful for the production of milk than of flesh — 

 and is of special service in fattening sheep. In early 

 spring it produces very little food, and the plant is so 

 dwarf that it is practically useless for cutting— so that 

 Alsike should take its place for a crop of hay. 



Manuring. — In the list of mineral matter, which 

 White Clover extracts from the soil, potash and lime 

 are the most prominent. The application of ammonia 

 salts alone reduces the plant to insignificant proportions, 

 and nitrate of soda is httle better in its effects. Both 

 these result in a smaller growth of White Clover than 

 when the land is left unmanured. Mineral manures — 

 potash especially, with a small quantity of nitrate — 

 considerably augment its growth ; so also do dressings 

 of marl or vegetable ash. 



It has often been observed that, when land has been 

 suitably top-dressed, a vigorous growth of White Clover 

 has made its appearance where none had been previously 

 perceived. In such cases its roots and creeping stems 

 have lain almost dormant in the soil, and escaped 

 notice until re-invigorated by the rnanurial stimulus. 



