Substances 
removed from 
the soil, 
Growth. 
Development. 
Harvesting. 
96 
however bad the surface layers may be. To allow the roots an easy entrance, the subsoil 
should be sufficiently loose, and free from water. Formerly, it was supposed that the 
success of sainfoin depended upon the presence of a high proportion of lime in the soil. 
That is, however, not the case, as it thrives quite well on a soil containing only one- 
half per cent of lime, provided that the other conditions are suitable. It has been stated 
that the produce increases as the proportion of lime rises, and is at its maximum 
when twelve per cent of lime is present. The reason why calcareous and marly 
soils are most suitable for sainfoin, is simply this, that they satisfy the. physical con- 
ditions better than other kinds. It can be grown on calcareous rocks with a superficial 
soil a few inches thick, provided that there are clefts and fissures in the rock. ‘The tap 
root enters, and enlarges the fissure. Lateral roots spring from the tap root; these run 
out in all directions, and interlace among the fragments of the rock. Growing in this way, 
sainfoin succeeds on the chalk districts of France and England, which would otherwise 
be unproductive. It thrives also on the alluvial hills of Northern Germany, where a few 
inches of mud rest upon the sand beneath. Sandy soils with a marly subsoil are also 
appropriate. On clays it can only be successfully grown, when the subsoil is permeable. 
Wherever the subsoil retains water, as on moors and bogs, it cannot grow. Calcareous 
soils with a dry subsoil and exposed to the sun, are the most suitable. 
1000 Ibs. of Sainfoin hay, according to Wolff, remove from the soil: — 
Nitrogen” 5. 4. 5) 2229 Tbs: Dame, Se ar IS alae 
Phosphoric Acid . 4,7 ,, Mapnesia”. ©.) tok Bie 
POWehs) a 3k Se sbeta es Sulphuric Acid . I14 ,, 
DIGS ouch £ lee, el VEN ian Boda i Blo Ue wemraee ant 
This analysis shews that sainfoin requires much nitrogen, potash and lime, especially 
from the subsoil; it tends however to enrich the more superficial layers of soil by drawing stores 
from the lower layers and leaving residues of roots and leaves in the surface soil on its decay. 
Growth, yield, nutritive value. The stems are more or less erect, producing many 
branehes and abundant foliage. A plant in full flower, has, on an average, 2074 leaflets, 
according to Werner’s calculation. A stem which has been cut or bitten, dies down to a 
depth of about two inches below the surface. At that depth, a thickening is formed from 
which two or three new branches spring. 
Development is comparatively slow. The yield, in the first year, is small; in 
the second, good; but, in the third year, when the roots have attained a depth of from 
three to seven feet, the maximum yield is obtained. The first crop is ready for cutting about 
the same time as lucerne. Flowering occurs from the end of May, till the beginning of 
June. After the first cutting, common sainfoin produces long leaves, but no stems; the 
produce of aftermath is, therefore, small. 
Sainfoin is usually mown once. Cutting commences when the plant is in full flower, 
because, at this stage, the nutritive value is highest, and soon after diminishes. Flowering 
is completed in about eight days, and so there is little choice of harvest-time. Hay-making 
is easy, Since sainfoin dries more readily than red-clover, and the leaflets do not so readily 
fall away. It is cut like red-clover, and left in the swathe to dry. It is turned as little 
as possible, to avoid loss of leaf. It does not stand frequent cutting or depasturing since 
it has not the property, possessed by clovers, of immediately sending out new shoots. 
Frequent cutting thus brings about the death of the plant. For this reason also depasturing 
by sheep is very bad. Sainfoin is not suitable for green fodder, and, at any rate, it could 
