64 



On the Giant Sainfoin. 



practice beneficial in its results, there is, nevertheless, a far better 

 preparation to be made for both wheat and sainfoin upon weak 

 soils, by large flock- masters, in the following 1 manner: — by 

 sowing Italian rye-grass, rye, or tares, as may be deemed most 

 judicious, upon the barley stubble, so as to produce a sufficiency 

 of green food for a flock of young lambs by the middle of April ; 

 they may then be placed thereon, and allowed to run before their 

 dams in pens, giving them a fresh piece every day. The ewes 

 following them may be kept upon mangold, reserved for that 

 purpose, together with such dry food in the troughs as may be 

 requisite to keep them in condition and enable them to suckle 

 well. In this way they may be kept to the end of May, at some 

 additional expense, it is true, but not more than the extra sheep 

 kept will amply pay for, and the land, by bein^ ploughed as the 

 sheep pass over it, will be sufficiently pulverized, and in good 

 condition to produce rape for early feeding, or, with the assistance 

 of a small quantity of Lawes' manure (if required), early turnips, 

 for September feeding, may be produced ; these may be fed with 

 corn or hay, as the land may require, when it will be in fine 

 condition for a wheat crop and the sainfoin which follows it. I 

 merely make these suggestions upon a practice which I have 

 known to be successfully adopted upon a weak soil, as a prepara- 

 tion for the cultivation of the Giant Sainfoin. 



Newnham, Baldock, Herts, 

 April 19, 1849. 



The Testimonials subjoined are from parties who have tested 

 the merits of the plant in different parts of the kingdom. 



Ickleton, Cambs. 



Sir, — I have only grown the Giant Sainfoin one year, but, from one 

 year's trial, I shall certainly not think of growing any more of the common 

 stock in future, as the crop of Hay mown from the Giant exceeded in 

 weight that grown from the common stock by at least one-fifth ; after 

 which it was seeded, and the after-feed was then equal to that of the 

 common sort after the hay-crop only. 



The soil upon which mine is growing is a dry rubbly chalk. 



I am, Sir, yours, &c, 



To Mr. Hine. Samuel Jonas. 



Redbridge, near Southampton, Hants. 



Sir, — The Giant Sainfoin has far exceeded my expectation, and fully 

 deserves the high character you gave it when you sent the seed. 



It was sown under very unfavourable circumstances, with a barley-crop, 

 in March, 1847, upon a piece of our poorest land, the plough frequently 

 running upon the hard gravel. 



The barley, in parts, was much lodged, but the Sainfoin took no damage, 



