LEGUMINOUS PASTURE PLANTS 



loams, containing lime and humus. Its abundant occurrence is regarded as 

 an indication of good soils, but in such cases the creeping stems sometimes 

 do injury by suppressing other plants. White clover develops rapidly,, 

 endures grazing well, and provides excellent pasturage from early spring until 

 autumn. Frequent rolling is most beneficial. The green produce, which 

 should be fed in conjunction with dry fodder, is reUshed by stock, and is less, 

 liable to induce flatulence than is Red clover, but more difficult to dry, though 

 the leaves do not fall away so readily. The average yield of hay per acre has. 

 been estimated by Block at 2,108 lbs., by Langethal at about | that of Red 

 clover, and by Guido Krafft at 

 from 1,672 to 2,640 lbs. The 

 seed, which is abundantly pro- 

 duced and easily harvested, is 

 generally saved from the first 

 cutting. Plantain, Sheep's 

 sorrel (Rumex acetoselld) and 

 Field chamomile {Anthemis 

 arvensis) are frequent impuri- 

 ties, and Dodder is sometimes 



White Clover. 

 (^Trifoliurn repens.) 



present in samples. Old seeds 

 are occasionally rubbed with 

 sulphur to give them a fresh, 

 bright colour. Good commer- 

 cial seed should have about 96 

 per cent, of purity and 85 per 

 cent, of germination, some 

 9'2 lbs. being required to sow 

 an acre. White clover is 

 seldom sown pure, but often 

 with perennial rye-grass only. 

 It should be used in all mix- 

 tures for permanent or tempo- 

 rary pastures and meadows, especially on low-lying lands. Owing to the- 

 surface-rooting habit of the plant, applications of such potash fertilisers as 

 wood-ashes and the drainage from manure-heaps are most profitable; and 

 marl and, on rich soils, gypsum are desirable. Nitrogenous artificials appear 

 to be directly injurious. 



Alsike Clover (Trifolium hybridum). — Perennial, of very tall and leafy 

 growth, producing stems that lie on the ground at their bases ; coming into 

 flower at the middle or end of May, and remaining green for some time. This 

 excellent and very nutritive fodder plant endures for from 3 to 5 or 6 years,, 

 and produces abundant crops in stiff clays and soils which are too wet for other 

 clovers. It flourishes most luxuriantly in moist loams and clays, being the 

 only clover really suitable for irrigation ; but it also succeeds well on 

 mountains and in light, good land, and grows in dry soils, for which it 

 is, however, least adapted. Alsike is practically unaffected by extreme cold, 

 and is rather favoured by excessively wet seasons, though, owing to its 

 surface-rooting habit, the yield is diminished by continued drought. It 

 appears immune from "clover-sickness"; is consequently peculiarly valuable 

 for " clover-sick " land ; and can recur at shorter intervals than other clovers. 

 Starting a little late in spring, it attains to its maximum nutritive value at 

 flowering, between the two cuttings of Red clover, and the first crop is consider- 

 ably the greater. The slightly bitter produce can be used green or dried, but 



