432- LEGUMINOS^E 



For this and all perennial crops whose growth is slow at first, 

 the ground should be especially clean before sowing or weeds 

 may ruin the crop before it is established. 



Melilots (Genus Melilotus). 



17. The melilots have upright stems with trifoliate leaves, re- 

 sembling those of lucerne. The flowers are small, yellow or 

 white, arranged in one-sided axillary racemes. 



The fruit is a round or oval legume, which is only partially 

 dehiscent ; it usually contains from one to four seeds. 



White Melilot {Melilotus alba Desr.), which is a rather un- 

 common British wild plant, is sometimes introduced under the 

 name of Bokhara Clover, and recommended as a forage crop. 

 It is perennial, and produces a large bulk of leaves and stems, 

 which have a fragrant odour like that of sweet vernal grass ; 

 owing to its bitter taste it is, however, disliked by cattle, and 

 also has the objectionable feature of rapidly becoming hard and 

 woody. 



The seed is cheap, and possibly the plant may be found of 

 service for ploughing-in as a green manure. 



Another commoner species, namely. Yellow Melilot (Melilotus 

 officinalis Willd.), grows 2 or 3 feet high, and possesses deep 

 yellow flowers. It is an annual, and met with in corn fields. 



Sainfoin (Genus Onobrychis). 



18. Sainfoin {Onobrychis sativa Lam.). — A perennial plant, 

 probably indigenous in the midlands and south of England on 

 dry chalky soils. 



The primary root is thick and fleshy, and penetrates to a depth 

 even greater than lucerne roots in open dry subsoils. 



The young plant forms a rosette of leaves close to the ground, 

 and resembles red clover in its early habit of growth. 



From the rhizome several almost erect stems are sent up, each 

 of which is from i to 2 feet high, ribbed, and slightly downy. 



