163 
flowering, because the colouring matter, contained in the expanded flowers, is bitter, and 
very iitamieenbls to stock. For the same reason, when the plants are Hebrcinned, those 
which have been in flower for some time, are avoided by the cattle. When dried, the 
thick leaves. which are rich in nutriment, readily fall off: in hav making, therefore, the 
plants should be moved as little as possible. 
100 lbs. of green plant give, according to Nickles, 25 \bs. of hay, and according to Sinclai, 
31 Ibs. Ritthausen estimates that the green fodder contains 79.2°/, of water. From a clay loam, 
Sinclair obtained, at the time of flowering, 3190 Ibs, of hay per acre. This species is clearly nol 
very productive, and it is, therefore, advisable to use it only for forming bottom herbage in mixtures. 
400 Ibs. of hay, harvested while in flower, on the southern slope of Zurichberg, contained 
(reckoning the water at 14°/,) 77.9°/, of organic matter, composed of: — 
Nitrogenous matter (N 6.25) . . 2. . . . + 197 %Fo 
(Albuminoid N. 1.94 °/o, non-albuminoid N. 0.60 °/o) 
Pat es Re ee a eter earl err ia 
Frbiet asks 1, bh ke Ee ee ee en 22.0 %/o 
Non-nitrogenous arteaarives ¥ Mir , Lc ees fp 
According to Ritthausen, the hay contains 7%. 1% of organic matter composed of: —— 13.3 °/o 
nitrogenous matter, 44.2 °/o of fat and non-nitrogenous extractives, and 21.9 °/o fibre. 
The fodder is, therefore, very nutritive and, in this respect, surpasses red clover hay 
of medium quality. When cows are fed on it, the intense yellow colouring matter, con- 
tained in the flowers, gives a deep yellow colour to the milk and even to the butter pro- 
duced from it. 
Harvesting, impurities and adulteration of the seed. ‘The first cutting Is used as the 
seed-crop. It is ready for mowing about the end of July or the beginning of August. 
During harvesting, the pods readily dehisce, and allow the seeds to escape — an indi- 
cation that cutting should take place before maturity, at a time when the pods are com- 
mencing to change colour, and become brown. If the pods are stripped olf by hand in the 
field, they are allowed to become brown and spread out in an airy place till they become 
fully nature. They will then dehisce of their own accord, Although the ovary contains a 
number of ovules, only a small proportion of these develope into good seeds, hence the 
small quantity of seed produced and its high price — two to four shillings per Ib. 
Charlock or wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis, L.) is a frequent 
impurity: this is darker in colour, more spherical and has the well 
known mustard taste; some consider that it is intentionally added, and 
then, of course, it is an adulterant. 
The seed known in commerce as tall, hairy, or simall - seeded 
bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus villosus) is very often marsh bird’s-foot trefoil 
Fig. 71. 
Germander. (Lotus uliginosus, Schk.) Plants produced from this seed jhaye no 
Teucrium Chamedrys, 1. r = 
a. Nutlet, natural. size. agricultural value, except on marshy or moor-land. Its seed is only 
b. The same, from the half the price of the other: the smaller size and beautiful olive green 
inner face, < 10. lure : A 
c. The same, side - view, COlour at once distinguish it. In commerce only the large, shining, 
x 10. brown seeds represent genuine Lotus corniculatus, and these, when 
grown, usually turn out to be the fine-leaved vanety, viz. Lotus corniculatus var. teni- 
folius. The two other principal varieties, culgaris and cillosus, appear to be rare in com- 
merce judging from our trials of purchased seed. ‘The seeds of the three varieties are indis : 
finguishable. Under the name of Lotus corniculatus, | obtained, two years ago, a sample 
Yield. 
Nutritive 
value. 
Harvesting 
the seed. 
Impurities and 
adulterations. 
