1258 
MESSES. J. B. LAWES, J. H. GILBERT, AKD M. T. MASTERS, 
Leguminosae collectively, Trifolium pratense, like T. repens , has given place to other 
plants of the same family. It has, however, sustained the competition much better 
than T. repens. 
There are other species of this genus which occur on the plots, but only in 
insignificant proportions, viz.:— 
Trifolium minus. —This plant has only once been found in the samples, and then 
only in very insignificant amount. 
Trifolium procumbens has twice been found in the samples, but, like T. minus , in 
most insignificant quantity. 
Both T. minus and T. procumbens are, however, frequent in the immediate 
neighbourhood; and it is probable, from the appearance of the plots during growth, as 
well as from the creeping habit of the plants, that the samples do not adequately 
represent the amount of these plants on the plots, though in any case it must be very 
small, such plants having little or no capabilities of maintaining themselves amid their 
more powerful rivals. 
Lotus corniculatus. 
The root or subterranean stock of this robust perennial is tap-shaped, stout, 
fleshy, whitish, descending deeply into the sub-soil, its main branches are slender, 
horizontal, with numerous nodules, the lower branches descending, destitute, or nearly 
so, of nodules. The above-ground stem forms tufts of wiry decumbent or erect 
branches, bearing leaves of the same general shape as those of the clovers, but 
smaller. It flowers, as a rule, too late to perfect its seed before mowing. It is very 
hardy, bears drought well, is not very particular as to soil, but is stated to be variable 
on different soils, &c. At Bothamsted the variety which occurs is that called 
vulgaris in Hooker's ‘ Student's Flora,' and it is pretty constant in its characteristics. 
The conditions propitious to it are : its powerful root-stock, with extensive storage 
of nutritive matter, deep range, and power of availing itself of the food and moisture 
in the lower layers of the soil; the fact that the seeds are rarely produced before the 
first cutting, thus obviating exhaustion, and tending to prolong the life of the indi¬ 
vidual; its hardy constitution, as shown by its wdde geographical distribution, its 
relative indifference to the nature of the soil, climate, &c. 
For its predominance see the subjoined table. 
