I30 FORAGE PLANTS— COMMON SANFOIN. 



It prospers best in fertile land of a calcareous or 

 marly nature, with a sunny aspect; and requires a 

 subsoil which, without being humid, is sufficiently 

 mellow to allow the roots to penetrate it. Compared 

 with other plants the growth of Sanfoin is slow. The 

 yield is poor the first year and pretty good the second, 

 but it is in the third year that the plant comes to its 

 full development — after that the roots ,have established 

 themselves in the subsoil. People make the first cut- 

 ting when the plant is in full flower, as it loses its value 

 soon after that period. When well established it is not 

 so liable to injury from winter frosts as from the evil 

 effects of wet, cold summers. It lends itself better to 

 the haymaking process than Eed Clover does, loses 

 less of its leaves in that ordeal, and, as regards value 

 as forage, is superior to Eed Clover. Sanfoin hay is 

 not only nourishing, but is also health-giving or tonic 

 in its effects, from which peculiarity it derives its 

 name. It is especially beneficial to horses. The best 

 crops to precede Sanfoin are those which clear the soil 

 of weeds and leave it in a mellow condition. The best 

 time to sow is in the spring — about the end of March 

 or early in April. It can be sown with a cereal, but 

 this is not usually done, and is somewhat risky, unless 

 the cereal is to be cut green. It is for the most part 

 sown alone, and seldom in association with other 

 grasses, as in such circumstances it is liable to 

 perish. 



The Seed is very seldom adulterated, but in its 

 natural state it contains many impurities, of which 

 the most prominent are the seeds of the Common 

 Salad Burnet (Poterium sanguisorba) the prinprenelle 

 of the French, — also seeds of the Brome grasses. 



