214 FARM CROPS 



to crowd it out as it becomes older. In some in- 

 stances it is only grown for one or two seasons, but 

 usually the seed is too costly to admit of any ex- 

 tended use. 



In the rough form from 4 to 5 bushels of seed to 

 the acre must be used. When harvesting the seed 

 great care must be exercised in handling the crop, 

 or much of the seed will be lost. It should not be 

 handled in the heat of the day; and when being 

 made into hay the same care is necessary, or many 

 of the leaves will be lost. Much care must also be 

 given the seed, or it will heat and spoil. Inatten- 

 tion in this matter is largely responsible for the 

 many failures to secure a good stand of plants. 

 But it also seems to be true that the seed loses its 

 germinating power more quickly than the seed of 

 any other legume. Sanfoin, like clover, is very 

 beneficial to the soils in which it is grown. 



SCARLET CLOVER.— See Crimson Clover. 



SHEEP'S FESCUE.— A perennial bunch grass 

 much relished as herbage by sheep. It grows on 

 thin soils and never becomes very tall. About 10 

 inches is its usual height, though when specially 

 favored it may grow twice as tall. It is particu- 

 larly suited for culture on the lighter, drier soils 

 of a sandy nature where other grasses will not 

 thrive. From 2 to 3 bushels of seed are required 

 to the acre. Its light nature and slight growth put 

 it out of the hay classes. Its chief value is as pas- 

 ture in the drier regions where the soils are poor 

 and the moisture too little to make an abundant 

 growth. 



SORGHUM. — A plant somewhat resembling 

 Indian corn in habit of growth and appearance. It 



