The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-11-06

NAV become a valuable acquisition, as
substitute in our Southern country Tor the
rcd clover, 1 will give its history, as far
as it is known at present. 1t is not de-
scribed in any American work on Botany.
About sixteen OF. seventeen years ago
I collected specimens OF this plant IN the
Parish of st. Johns Berkeley, and also
on the State road, ten miles above Charles
ton. I received, also, about the. same.
.timc,- a specimens from friend, collected
in Fairfield District, in this State. AS 1t
was not described in any of the books,
the specimen were labelled "Lespedeza,"
and placed in my herbarium. 1t at
tracted my attention again last summer,
from its great abundance in the vicinity
of Aiken-in the streets, along, the rail
road track, and on the common roads and
neighboring farms. Having sent speci-
mems to DR.. Chapman, in Florida, author
of "Flora of the Southern United States"
he wrote as follows:
"Lespedeza. first received it seven
years ago from DR.. Mettaner, of Macon,
GA, as common weed about the streets.
On my return home last fall, 1866, | met
with at West Point on the Chattahoochee !;
thence it extended along the road to Co
lumbus, and down the river to Eufala-
in some places covering the ground like a
carpet. Itis evidently introduced
About the same time sent specimens
to Professor Fray, of Cambridge. He
writes:
"It is Lepedeza straiata, Hooker and
Arnott. native of China and Japan.
How the thing got down your way is q
puzzle" :,
This is Lcguminous plant with small
trifoliolate, clipticali lcaves-Legumes
small, fat, roundish, growing in the axis
of th eleaf. In poor soils it is generally
PROSTATE on the surface; on rich soils it
grows to the height of two to three feet,
and becomes q luxuriant mass of vegeta-
ton. The roots are perennial, but the
tops are killed down in winter. The
seeds ripen in October. I have seen it on
all kinds of soil. from poor damp sandy
soil to rich clay loan. When cultivated
or grown on rich soil, the stems are
slender and succulent enough 10 be cured
as fodder. cut some of it few days
ago and cured it. 1t retained the leaves,
and had fine green color when dry.
Horses and mules eat Of it heartily. It's
chief value willprobabIy be for pasturage,
and for the improvement of old worn
lands. It's rapid and universal propaga-
ton, shows it to be handy plant which
will do we'll on any soil, but amply repay
ing care and mannring. Though not a
true clover, it is nearly allied plantj
and as we want a name which will dis
tinguish it, and at the same time indicate
some of its good qualities, have called it
Japan Glover.
/ would be glad to receive any further
information on the subject from those
who,have tried it as food for animals, or
as means OF improving the soil by
ploughing in OF the. new crop.
There is another lately introduced
plant, which has been spreading so rapid
ly and generally, about Augusta and this
place, as to attract attention, viz: AcdnS
Mosperxnum Hanthioides. 1t belongs to
the Xanthium or Sheep bur family of
plants, with small oval seeds armed with
hooked pricllles.. This is a native of
Brazil, and was probably brought to this
country, as Berckman suggests, in his
report to the Augusta Agricultural Club,
in the bales of wool imported by the fac
tories. 1t is abundant all over the streets
of Aiken, even in the sandiest soil and
where vehicles pass over it. have also
seen it along the railroad track and on
the neighboring farms. Its uses, if it has
any, are not yet known. 1t grows pros
trate on the ground, striking root at the
joints, and may be found Of service in
coating over banks and protecting tho
surface of soils liable TO wash. 1t is not
yet described in any of our botanical
works.