AGRICULTUEAL CLOVERS. 77 



until recently the Humble Bee was unknown, seed was rarely 

 ripened, and the Eed Clover sown in those colonies was all 

 imported, principally from England. 



The character and culture of Eed Clover are so well under- 

 stood as to render further remark needless. 



The botanical description and chemical analysis are given on 

 page 176, facing an illustration. 



TRIFOLIUM PEATENSE PEEENNE 

 {Perennial Bed Clover or Cow Grass). 



This Clover doubtless originated in a cross between Trifolium 

 pratense or 'Qrosidi. Clover, and Trifolium medium or Zigzag Clover.^ 

 The latter has never been in commerce, nor has it been grown as 

 a crop except for experimental purposes. Yet some writers have 

 fallen into the error of confusing it with the true Perennial Eed 

 Clover, which in Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire, and Wiltshire 

 is known as Cow Grass. In these counties Cow Grass is of im- 

 mense importance, and enters largely into the rotation of arable 

 land. The use of it is extending to other parts of England, and 

 it is astonishing that so valuable a plant has not long since been 



' Trifulium medium. — The Oow Grass or Zigzag Clover of botanists is so called from 

 tlie decided zigzag growth. So distinct is the plant that it can scarcely be classed with 

 Red Clover at all. The blossom is darker in colour than that of Trifolium pratense, the 

 head less dense, invariably growing on a long peduncle instead of immediately adjacent 

 to the leaf. The absence of the broad merubranous stipule, and the substitution of one 

 which is long and narrow, terminating gradually in a spear-like point, is also a marked 

 characteristic, by which those who have once observed this peculiarity are never likely to 

 mistake Trifulium vadium for Trifolium pratense again. 



The plant is generally found by hedgesides, or on rough grassy places in dry situa- 

 tions, and it appears to be capable of withstanding any degree of cold or heat. The 

 stalks and leaves are so intensely bitter that they are refused by all cattle. Not only is 

 the plant valueless for agricultural purposes, but it is highly detrimental, occupying the 

 same relative position amongst the Leguminosts that couch {Triticum repens) does amongst 

 the Grnminacece. 



Trifolium medium increases with extraordinary rapidity by underground stolons or 

 roots, and if allowed to establish itself is practically ineradicable, every inch of the root, 

 when cut with the plough, being capable of producing a plant. The agriculturist who 

 may ever be persuaded to accept this, the botanist's Cow Grass, for the true agricultural 

 Oow Grass — Trifolium pratense perenne—^\\S..\i@.\-Q bitter cause for repentance. 



