We are inclined to suppose that the excellences of white clover have
not been enough esteemed among our farmers; indeed, they have adopted
a few grasses as special favorites upon whom all favors are lavished,
and the rest are totally or very nearly rejected.
In regions where dairies abound, and where, therefore, the subject of
pasturage is of vital interest, those grasses are sown which spring
early in the year and continue late; which grow quickly, abundantly,
and shoot again rapidly after being cropped; which are nutritious;
which tend to produce milk, and impart to it high flavor. If any _one_
grass possessed all these properties, it would be perfect; and, for
pastures, all others might be rejected. As it is, several grasses must
conspire to form a _sward_ possessed of these diverse excellences. In
this joint result white clover bears no mean place. It is, on
congenial soils, of vigorous growth, eminently conducive to the
production of milk, and milk of fine flavor. These are its peculiar
virtues. Besides these, it possesses in common with other pasture
plants, hardiness, tenacity of life, nutritiousness for beef-cattle.
Thaër, the most eminent practical, and scientific cultivator of his
day, says: “_It is certainly the most generally approved of all plants
that are cultivated for this_ (pasture) _purpose_.” Sinclair, whose
authority in grasses will not be disputed, says: “nor does it form a
good pasture when sown _by itself_ … but, combined with other grasses,
it is a valuable plant.” Great quantities of seed are annually sown in
England by the best farmers. Fessenden, of New England, says, “it does
not contain as much nutritive matter as red clover; yet its value as a
_pasture-grass is universally admitted_.” This is the experience of
Germany, England, and New England. Has experience determined that
these good qualities are suppressed in western pastures? Or is there
such a prejudice against it on account of its prying, intrusive
disposition in arable lands, that our farmers are unwilling to give it
a chance?