72 PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY PASTURES 



and it is astonishing that so valuable a plant has not long 

 since been widely recognised as indispensable for temporary 

 pastures, instead of being restricted to permanent pastures 

 only. 



Trifolium pratense perenne differs from Broad Clover in 

 having a somewhat taUer, smoother, and, except in its very 

 young state, a less hairy stem, and a stronger, less fibrous, and 

 more penetrating root. The plant carries its flowers some 

 way above the foliage, surpasses Broad Clover in succulence 

 and weight of crop, and stands frosts much better. 



The root of Perennial Red Clover reaches down into the 

 subsoil, enabling it to obtain moisture and nourishment in the 

 hottest weather, when Red Clover gives up from drought. 

 This penetrating habit also affords a means of sustenance to 

 the plant on land which is too poor to grow Broad Clover, and 

 frequently makes it desirable to increase the proportion of this 

 seed for pastures on thin uplands. 



Perennial Red Clover has two characteristics which 

 greatly augment its value : flowering does not begin until at 

 least ten days later than Broad Clover, and the more robust 

 and solid stems remain succulent and eatable by stock long 

 after Broad Clover has become pithy and withered. Perennial 

 Red Clover fills up the gap between the first and second 

 cuttings of Broad Clover, and comes into use at a time when 

 no other green food is available for the horses of the farm, 

 but it rarely gives a second crop of any consequence. 



Cow Grass produces comparatively little seed from its 

 single crop ; whereas Red Clover yields a good crop of seed 

 from the second cutting, after the first has been taken as 

 fodder. Consequently seed of the perennial variety is neces- 

 sarily high in price. 



It is worth noting that Cow Grass is understood on 

 ]Vlark Lane, and in many parts of England, to mean no more 

 than a fine handsome sample of Broad Red Clover. The true 

 Perennial Red Clover is rarely obtainable, except from those 



