78 PEEMANENT AND TEMPOEAEY PASTUEES. 



In Norfolk and some other of the Eastern counties, Sainfoin 

 takes the place of Eed Clover, and is rarely allowed to remain 

 down more than two years, generally only one. Against this 

 practice nothing can be urged, for it is probably the best possible 

 preparation for wheat. But the method adopted in Berkshire, 

 Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, and Hampshire of putting down Sainfoin 

 alone for four or five years, has grave disadvantages. There is a 

 gradual diminution of the Sainfoin plant and a gradual accumu- 

 lation of every form of vegetable rubbish, until the land comxes 

 to be exceedingly foul. Instead of sowing Sainfoin alone, I 

 strongly urge its use as a predominant constituent in a mixture 

 of grasses and clovers for three or four years' ley. The sowing 

 of Sainfoin alone is an expensive, and more or less a precarious 

 proceeding. It is by no means certain to produce a plant. But 

 combined with strong growing grasses there is less risk, and the 

 grasses keep down weeds and prevent the growth of couch and 

 other pests which almost invariably overrun a pure Sainfoin ley 

 after the first two years. 



In the green state Sainfoin is quite free from the danger of 

 blowing cattle, and when made into hay it is an admirable and 

 nutritious food. But the making of Sainfoin hay is rather a 

 ticklish business, particularly in catching weather. Like Tri- 

 folium, the plant has a hollow stem, and when cut it is more 

 quickly deteriorated by wet than any of the clovers. 



There are two varieties, the common, and the giant or 

 double cut, the latter being the earlier and more rapid-growing 

 of the two, but decidedly less durable. 



Petroselimim sativum {Sheep's Parsley). — This plant is 

 frequently included in mixtures of grasses for uplands and 

 sheep downs. Sheep display a great fondness for it, and it has 

 been said to be a preventive of rot and red-water in that animal. 

 Hares will visit gardens for the sake of the Parsley grown in 

 them, and where this game is abundant it may be worth while 



