38 ON THE CULTIVATED GRASSES 



yellow colour is predominant, and is not quite so luxuriant in growth ; its stalks are hard 

 and small, and it is considered of more permanent duration than any of the other biennial 

 kinds. In late years, however, some finer samples of larger and more purplish seeds 

 have been received ; these, no doubt, the produce of English or other important kinds. 



15. Trifolium pratense perenne (^Cow Grass, or Perennial Red Clover). — Fr. Trifle 

 violet vivace d' Angleterre ; Ger. Bullenklee. — This sort is so distinct in its general appear- 

 ance from the common cultivated varieties of T. pratense, that some have supposed it to' 

 constitute a different species. Compared with the Common Red Clover of the fields, its 

 flowers, foliage, and stems, are, in general, darker coloured ; leaflets narrower, and, together 

 with the stems, much more downy or hairy, and roots more fibrous ; it differs also in some 

 other characteristics of minor importance. This sort grows naturally in old pastures, 

 heathy moors, &c., and presents several varieties, differing slightly in colour and in habit 

 of growth, but retaining more or less of the narrowness and woolliness of their foliage, 

 and all agreeing in their permanency of duration. The variety generally cultivated in 

 this country under the above name, bears a considerable resemblance to the biennial sort 

 in its general habits and appearance, and differs from it only in having rather more woolly 

 leaves, in being of fully more permanent duration, and in coming into flower a few days 

 later. 



16. Trifolium repens ( White, or Dutch Clover). — Fr. Trefle hlanc; Ger. Weisskke. — 

 A fibrous-rooted perennial; flowers throughout the summer months and beginning of 

 autumn ; colour of the flowers white, or sometimes tinged with very light pink ; leaflets 

 inversely heart-shaped, often having a black or darkish coloured blotch near the base ; 

 flower-stalks without leaves, upright ; stem creeping on the ground and rooting at the 

 joints. Gro\Vs naturally in pastures, in a great variety of soils and situations. It is an 

 indispensable requisite in all pastures ; but where too prevalent, has a tendency to scour 

 cattle, besides occupying the ground which would otherwise be more profitably filled with 

 the superior pasture grasses. 



17. Ulex europsBus {Common Whin, Furze, or Gorse). — Fr. Ajone; Ger. Stachelginster. 

 — The Common Whin is too well-known to require any specific description : it has been 

 employed for an unknown length of time in some parts of this country for feeding horses, 

 cattle, and sheep, during the winter months. Whins are given to horses and cattle when in 

 a green state, after undergoing a process of thrashing or bruising, until the prickles are so 

 far reduced or deprived of their acute points, that the animals can eat them with perfect 

 safety, or without endangering their mouths. Sheep, on the other hand, are merely turned 

 out to feed on Whins when the snow is too deep for allowing them to get at the grass ; 

 and although they are found to fatten and thrive much better on the former, yet they 

 seldom touch them until forced to do so from not getting at the grass. When once 

 accustomed to the Whins, they continue to eat them in greater or less quantities, accord- 

 ing to the state of the pasture, until the young grass comes up in the beginning of summer : 

 hence, when Whins are plentiful in the winter pasture, shepherds always look with 

 anxiety for a snow storm in the early part of that season. In this country the Whin will 

 not succeed beyond 900 feet above the level of the sea ; but many sheep-walks might be 

 improved by introducing it on moors under that altitude. Some poor uplands might, also, 

 be profitably laid down under Whins, sown broadcast, with or without a com crop, at 

 the rate of 20 lb. or 24 lb. per acre, to be mown annually for winter green food. The 

 plant has been used for sowing on the tops and in the face of mud and turf fences, as a 

 cheap and efficient hedge on dry and poor soils, where thorns will not prosper. For sow- 



