96 PRACTICAL NOTES ON GRASSES AND GRASS GROWING, 
The seed of srdwestre is very difficult to collect; we have 
found it of the usual clover shape, pale in colour, somewhat 
resembling lucerne or trefoil. We have been unable to make 
much progress in cultivating it, and cannot afford the time to 
make it a special study. We can only hope that others may 
be more persevering and successful than ourselves, as the plant 
is indeed a valuable addition both to our pastures and to our 
meadows. 
And now, after thus glancing at the four varieties, commor 
red clover (Zréfolium pratense, Linn.), single-cut cow grass 
(Zrifolium pratense perenne, Sutt.), zig-zag clover (Zrifoliune 
medtum, Hudson), and woodland cow clover ( 7rifolium pratense, 
var. syluestre, Syme), let us consider the question, ‘‘ What is 
likely to have been the origin of the second variety, single-cut 
cow grass ?” 
Mr. Martin J. Sutton, in the first edition of his book, on 
«Permanent and Temporary Pastures,” published in 1886, gives 
it as his opinion that for many weighty reasons it might be 
accepted that single-cut cow grass (Trifolium pratense perenne) 
is a hybrid between Z+ifolinm medium and common red clover, 
and that opinion has not since been challenged. We cordially 
agree with it, and will give our reasons from our own practicab 
observations. 
Trifolium pratense perenne takes after Trifolium medium ivr 
the matter of late flowering, and in being of taller growth than 
red clover. It has also a deep searching tap-root, like medium, 
and a darker green Ieaf and deeper coloured flower than 
common red clover. Therefore, taking it that the coarse 
growing Zrifolium medium of the hedgerow is the one parent, 
there is every reason to suppose the bees inoculated with its 
pollen a crop of red clover in an adjoining field, thus obtaining 
for the hybrid plant a portion of that succulence and quality 
which the common red clover had to impart. ‘hen, again, 
perennial cow grass is not so freely eaten by animals as red 
