CLOVERS AND OTHER LEGUMES 



239 



similarly shaped flowers? This peculiar shape is seen in 

 the flowers of all legumes. 



The seed is borne usually in a pod, to the side of which 

 it is attached, as in the bean or pea. The seeds, Hke the 

 flowers, are pecuhar in 

 shape, resembhng usually 

 an ordinary bean, but in 

 some cases they are more 

 rounded, hke the pea. 

 The taste of all raw legu- 

 minous seeds is surpris- 

 ingly the same. 



By comparing the 

 points which we have just 

 mentioned 'with those of 

 the grasses as given in 

 Section 162, you will see 

 how radically the two 

 classes of plants differ. 



179. How Legumes 

 benefit the Farmer. — The 

 value of these crops to 

 the soil and to the farmer 

 may be stated as follows : 



(1) They add nitrogen to the soil. 



(2) The roots open the soil to a great depth. 



(3) They add humus to the soil. 



(4) They make other plant food available. 



(5) Because of the large amount of protein which they 

 contain, they are valuable in balancing the rations of both 

 animals and man. 



(6) They assist by means of rotation in the control of 

 insects and fungous pests. 



Fig. 102. — Pea blossoms. 



