424 LEGUMINOS^ 



however, are sufficiently constant to warrant the special names 

 given to the strains. 



Attempts at discrimination by botanical characters, such as 

 hairiness, smoothness, or solidity of stem, form of leaves, and 

 capitula are misleading, as these features are extremely variable. 



The term ' Ordinary Red ' or ' Broad Clover ' is in commerce 

 applied to the forms which are of short duration and useful for 

 short leys, while the name ' Cowgrass ' or ' Perennial Red Clover ' 

 (' Trifolium pratense perenne ') is given to the forms which last 

 two years or more and which are somewhat hardier than the 

 previous ones. 



Although the forms which are used for particular purposes is a 

 matter of no small importance, it is impossible to distinguish 

 them with anything like accuracy and the farmer is therefore 

 compelled to depend upon the reputation of the vendor of the 

 seed (see pp. 615 and 616). 



Climate and Soil. — Red clover grows readily upon almost 

 all soils except those which are very dry or which contain an 

 excess of stagnant water. It thrives best, however, on somewhat 

 heavy loams containing a fair proportion of lime. 



It is sensitive to spring frosts, and varieties obtained from the 

 warmer parts of Europe and America often die off completely 

 during autumn and winter in England. 



Sowing. — The seed is sown generally with a cereal crop in 

 spring; the amount needed for a crop when used alone is 16 lbs. 

 per acre, if the seed is pure and of good germinating capacity. 



9. Zig-Zag Clover : Marl-Grass : Meadow Clover (Trifolium 

 medium L.). — A perennial clover which grows most commonly 

 upon dry banks and in dry elevated pastures. At first sight it 

 may be mistaken for red clover, the flower-heads being of similar 

 colour. The stem is, however, straggling and bent in a zig-zag 

 manner at every node. The leaflets are narrower and longer 

 than those of red clover, and the free part of the stipules is 

 longer, more pointed, and narrow. 



