86 PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY PASTURES 



ash generally brings a full crop. All manures containing 

 potash and phosphoric acid have a magical effect on its growth. 

 Sheep injure it less than they do Red Clover. 



Trefoil is rarely sown alone, but frequently with White 

 Clover, and it is important that the Trefoil should not predo- 

 minate, or it may take entire possession of the land. Foxtail, 

 Sweet Vernal, and Smooth- stalked Meadow Grass combine 

 well with Trefoil in affording early and valuable herbage. 



Although Trefoil is the name by which 31. lupulina is 

 most widely known, and many farmers call it ' Hop,' it must 

 not be confounded with the true Hop Clover, Trifolium 

 procumbens, a native British plant, which is not used in 

 agriculture. 



For illustration, description, and chemical analysis, see 

 5s. Edition. 



LOTUS CORNICULATUS 



(Birdsfoot Trefoil). 



This plant is strictly perennial, and attains maturity in the 

 second year after sowing. It often fills up the bottom of a 

 pasture when other sorts are deficient, and will do this on land 

 which is clover-sick. Birdsfoot Trefoil is useful for all soils, 

 and is remarkable for its endurance of drought, however 

 extreme. On high exposed thin soils it is more productive 

 than any other clover, and it augments the total of the crop 

 without apparent detriment to the taller, upright-growing 

 varieties. Therefore, if expense need not be considered, 

 seed in limited quantity should certainly be sown. Unfor- 

 tunately, such soils do not often warrant the outlay for this 

 clover, the price of which is almost prohibitory. 



Birdsfoot Trefoil is eaten with avidity by all kinds of 

 stock. The plant has narrow leaves, a smooth stem, and 

 bright yellow flowers, occasionally tinged with red. 



