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wild in Greece and other countries, but is not cultivated there. The cultivation of sainfoin probably com- 
menced about the fifteenth century in France, where, in the sixteenth century, it was greatly esteemed. 
Its cultivation spread into Italy, especially Tuscany, in the eightenth century. In Switzerland, its 
cultivation commenced about the beginning of last century; the seed was probably obtained from Dauphiny. 
In 1760, a writer in the Agricultural Gazette of Berne says: »Of fodder plants which are cultivated from 
seed, the commonest is now the sainfoin called in latin Onobrychis foliis vicie.« To show its grea 
utility, the same writer gives the following example, »Since the people in the commune of Kappelen 
near Aarberg, have taken up the cultivation of sainfoin to remedy their great want of fodder, both 
man and beast, house and field, and even the whole village, have assumed quite a different appearance. « 
In 1762, Stapfer writes: »Another artificial grass, which is now cultivated, is sainfoin«. From, 
Flanders and France, Sainfoin was brought to England in the seventeenth century. In 17416, Sainfoin was 
regarded as a very important fodder-plant in Germany, and its cultivation was repeatedly recommended 
by the government. David Méllinger had the honour of introducing it into the Palatinate. 
By the cultivation of sainfoin, it is possible, to utilise large tracts of land, which, 
formerly, were almost valueless. It is the most important fodder-plant for dry and barren cal- 
‘areous hills. It withstands extreme drought, thrives without manure, and is of longt 
duration. Lawson states that he has known it attain the age of 100 years. It is not 
rare to see fields of Sainfoin 20 years old, which, even now, are doing well. The duration 
depends very much upon the nature of the soil. In the Palatinate, sainfoin is only used for 
three years, but, in other parts, usually for periods varying from four to seyen years. It must 
not recur too frequently on the same field because the land becomes »sainfoin-sick«, in the 
same way as it becomes »clover-sick«. The former is not nearly so common as »clover- 
sickness«, because the root-system of sainfoin is more extensive, and takes in more ground 
than that of red-clover. To prevent »sainfoin-sickness« the land requires a period of rest, 
equal, in a general way, to the period under sainfoin. Some authorities state that the 
intervals should be 8, 10 or even 12 years, according to the nature of the subsoil, shorter 
when the subsoil is rich, longer when it is poor. 
Occurrence, climate, soil, manure. Sainfoin is indigenous to the temperate regions of Europe, 
to southern Caucasus, the borders of the Caspian Sea, and Lake Baikal; it is not indigenous to Sicily, 
Sardinia, or Algeria; it is extensively cultivated in Southern France, Jura, Alsace, the Palatinate, the 
Black Forest, the mountains of Central Germany, Moravia, etc. 
In Switzerland, the wild plant is met with on sunny hills, on dry mountain-sides, on the margins 
of woods, indeed, wherever the soil is calcareous. 
On lower Engadine, it occurs at a height of 5250 fl. (Miiller). The alpine form (Onobrychis 
montana, DC.) occurs at high altitudes on the Alps (Melchalp 6800 ft. according to Brtigger, Gantrisch 
6800 ft.) 
Sainfoin is most successful in the vine region. It also thrives in the colder parts, 
and even in districts with a raw climate, e. g. the hills around Lucerne, the Black Forest, etc. 
With dry and warm exposure, it lasts longer, and gives a larger yield than on high lands 
exposed to the north. When young, it is liable to be killed during the winter if not 
protected. Cutting should therefore take place about the beginning of autumn. Old sain- 
foin is little affected by winter; a wet, and cold summer does it more injury, the yield being 
diminished, and a number of the plants perishing. Drought has no injurious action. 
The nature of the subsoil is very important in this case, because the roots penetrate 
twice or thrice as deeply as those of lucerne. If the subsoil is favorable, sainfoin succeeds 
Agricultural 
value. 
Geographical 
distribution, 
Habitat. 
Limits of 
altitude. 
Climate. 
Soil. 
