72 



moist climate, but stands, nevertheless, a lasting drought fairly 

 well. As said before, it grows both on heavy and lighter soils, 

 even in marshy situations if not of the coldest kind. It does not 

 make deep roots, but extracts its nutrition from the surface which, 

 though it is not necessary that this be of the best, yet requires 

 to be sufficiently manured to get a satisfactory crop. 



Sown in connection with grasses either for a short lay or for 

 permanent pasture, it is a very good plant indeed. For the latter 

 purpose, the Trefoil will disappear after a couple of years when 

 the pasture will be sufficiently covered by the grasses. 



If for short lay, it is the Ryegrasses, perennial and Italian^ 

 Avena elatior {Tall Oat-grass), Dactylis glomerata 

 (Orchard-grass), Phleum pratense (Timothy) that should be 

 used. If for permanent pasture, Alopecurus pratensis 

 (Meadow Foxtail), Anthoxanthum odoratum {Sweet-scented 

 Vernal, true), Cynosurus cristatus (Crested Dogstail),. 

 Festuca elatior and pratensis (Tall and MeadowFescue), 

 Poa pratensis and t r i v i a 1 i s (Smooth- and Rough-stalked 

 Meadow-grass) that should be added to the former grasses. 



The nutritive value of Trefoil surpasses that of any other 

 medium kind of clover, though, on the other hand it can be used 

 only for a short lay. 



.^Icdicago media (Sand Lucerne). A good fodder for lighter 

 sandy soils. In regard to nutritive value in no way the inferior of 

 theMedicago sativa (Ordinary Lucerne or Alfalfa). It is its 

 inferior only in regard to yield; for it can scarcely be cut twice 

 the same season, whereas the ordinary Lucerne may be mown 

 three or four times. Neither is it so early as the ordinary Lucerne 

 which thrives and brings in a fair quantity very early in spring, whe- 

 reas the Sand-Lucerne gives its first cut second part of June only, 

 the second cut being, moreover, but a small-one. Though not growing 

 quite so high, it spreads out more broadly and makes consequently 

 a more thickly covered field than the ordinary Lucerne. 



It has this advantage over its cousin, that it is stronger in 

 maintaining itself a lengthier time and is also less liable to either 

 suffer or die away through severe winters and sharp spring-frosts. 



If no practical farmer would sow it where the ordinary Lucerne 

 has its right place and thrives well, i. e. on heavy rich soil, the 

 Sand-Lucerne is highly recommendable on lighter, not marshy 

 soils ; on sand even, where the ordinary Lucerne would not thrive 



