Farming of Yorkshire. 
107 
paper, we are tempted to offer the followinf^ remarks, collected 
from trustworthy sources, which, thouf^h simple in form, and 
prescribing an equally simple remedy, may pave the way for 
further research, and be a guide to farmers in selecting their 
clover-seeds. 
And first with regard to red-clover. The clover-seed sown by 
the fanners of Yorkshire is chiefly of foreign growth, one-fourth 
English to three-fourtlis foreign. The crop of English clover is 
very precarious, but when the seed is of good quality and well 
harvested it is preferred to foreign seed. It is grown in the 
South of England, and bought by the dealers for consumption 
in the North, and, in consequence of the supply being limited, 
commands a high price Avhen good. French and Dutch rank 
next in estimation, and the latter is eagerly sought after by our 
farmers, being especially suited to the soil of Yorkshire, some 
preferring the lowland Dutch, others the Brabant or high- 
land seed. The lowland is a healthy, robust, and productive 
seed, and rarely fails to produce a crop. In appearance it is 
a bold and large seed, very yellow in colour, but if unknown 
would not attract the attention of the farmer ; nevertheless, 
it is a favourite when known, and commands a much higher 
price than the American or German in the Hull market, which 
is the principal one for the sale of these seeds. Brabant, 
or higliland, is, Avhen of good quality, not unlike English, of a 
deep purple colour, and a bold seed not unlike the French ; but it 
flourishes best on a dry and warm soil. The Scotch farmers, who 
never sow anything but the finest seed, buy largely of this, and, 
when the supply is but scanty, will pay very high prices for it, 
rather than use any other ; hence it happens that very little has 
been seen in the Hull market of late years, and then always at an 
extreme price. German and American are often fine in quality, 
but always small in size ; they have a considerable sale, but 
adulteration is much practised. In seasons of scarcity trefoil is 
added ; this may be detected by the smell and the shape of the 
seeds. The Belgian seed is frequently so mixed, and even occa- 
sionally the lowland Dutch, which, as was stated before, has a 
yellow or trefoily appearance : but a judge will detect the adulte- 
ration by the shape and smell, trefoil being round, the genuine 
clover being oval and much bolder. American seed is said to 
be hardy, but we can give no proof of its being so. 
IVliite clover seed. — The great bulk of this seed comes from 
Germany, Belgium sends a fair quantity of good quality, and 
Holland a little occasionally. There is no seed equal to the 
Friesland White, but it is only in very fine seasons that any is 
exported ; last year, however, a quantity amved and commanded 
a high price ; it is to be hoped the cultivation of this variety 
