A New Fodder Plant. Japanese Clover.
We (South Aiuttratinn Register) have re celved from Dr Schosaburgk, director of the Botanic Garden?, (two samples of the seed of Teff and Japan .clover. Those who wish te cultivate them are requested to apply to Dr. Schomburgk for seed at once. The following circular prepared by the director, erives full particulars regarding these new fodder plants : (En ,my,last year's oroport I mentioned a valuable fodder plant-, the " Japanese Clover," which had 'a-zen introduced into California, ajid which lujii attracted a good deal of attention of l«fce years as a most valuable fodder plant. My attention was directed to this plant by a Cfclifornian agricultural paper called the Ru-noi Calif ornian, which gave a glowing accost of this useful plant. The extract was ac follows : The Japan perennial clover (Lespedeza stricta), is now "covering thousands of acres where in 1866 it only covered iOft square It grows in the plains and at a» altitude of 4000 feet, and stands well through the midsummer droughts, flowering *nd blooming until the frost comes, and. living after most herbage is dead. It grows in every kind of soil, rich or poor, clay or sandy, dry or wet, and is deep rooted, and improving the soil. It never runs out, and can be fed off without injury. It is wonderfully fattening, and contains -Nitrogen matter 16 60 ; fat I 10 ; ash, 5 92; lime 099; magnesia, 056 ; potash OSB ; soda, 0.51 ; phosphoric acid, 0-39 ; sulphuric acid, 0 - 20." The American Farmer's Manual, lately published, said regarding the Japan clover: "Of late years it has attracted more and more attention ; cattle eat it readily, and sheep greedily." On reading this glowing account, I immediately took steps to procure seed of this valuable plant, which after much trouble I succeeded in doing. The last mail brought me a quantity ; and, after testing, I found that the seed germinated freely. What a boon for tho colony it would be if this plant could be acclimatised in South Australia, which I do not doubt, as the Californian climate is somewhat similar to ours.
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Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 201, 30 April 1887, Page 8
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351A New Fodder Plant. Japanese Clover. Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 201, 30 April 1887, Page 8
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