1906.] 



Lucerne and Trefoil Seed. 



83 



As regards the soil, the nature of the surface, whether it be 

 heavy or light, is to a great extent immaterial ; the chief thing 

 is that the sub-soil must be deep and dry, and easily permeable 

 to the roots, and also that it be of a calcareous nature, or at 

 least contain a sufficiency of lime, which is an indispensable 

 element to healthy growth and a durable, persistent plant. 



As previously indicated, dryness and warmth are absolutely 

 necessary to enable this plant to attain anything approaching 

 its maximum yield. In the dry genial warmth of the South of 



Fig. 2. — Trefoil Seed {Medicago Uipulina) (magnified six diameters). 



Europe, lucerne produces a luxuriant crop, and, where the soil is 

 both deep and warm, a permanent one, lasting from twelve to 

 twenty years, or even longer. In our own country cold wet 

 seasons, or a succession of them, are inimical to its healthy 

 growth, and a period not exceeding from five to seven years is 

 about the limit of its duration. 



Though lucerne is far too little cultivated, the acreage during 

 recent years has been increased very considerably, as the follow- 

 ing figures will show. In the year 1892 the entire area in Eng- 

 land sown down in lucerne only amounted to 16,583 acres ; in 

 1896 this had increased to 27,188 acres, vvhile in 1905 the. figures 

 given were 53,400 acres. Though the acreage has thus increased, 

 it is mainly in the Eastern and South-Eastern counties that it 



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