Evening star., 1932-06-18
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

All clovers belong to the genus
Tifolium, which meaEs three-leafed.
As every one knows, the discovery
of clover plant with the leaves grow
ing in fours, known as a four-leaf
clover, is held by the world to be par
ticularly fortunate.
Only this year the Washington ball
team, after losing several games, was
sent an envelope Of four-leaf clovers.
with the instructions from the fan"
who sent it to place one in the shoe
of each member Of the team.
One man held out, and the team
began to lose. When he at last placed
his clover "as per directions" the team
won the game.
So went the story. at any rate. and
those who have since ancient times be-
lieved in this superstition will be able
There are about 300 species of
leguminous plants, most Of them used
for fodder, either animal or human.
The seeds are what mankind eats.
notably in peas. beans and lentils. The
latter are mentioned often In the Bible,
but are not much used in America for
food
Veterinarians advise a mixture Of
beef and lentils for house cats. Some
of these animals often prove very fond
of this, but mostly in time tend to shy
away from it.
The word "legume' comes from the
Latin legere, to pick, quite understand
able in the case Of our peas and beans.
Our word "legerdemain" possibly
comes from the same root. through the
French 'leger de MAN," light Of hand.
X ~
In the home lawn one Is not so much
interested in clover secrets as in clover
results
What one aims at, in planting 1t, Is
a better lawn. one which tends to look
greener the year around.
Since Dutch white clover Is Q peren-
nial, it will not go back on one, in most
cases, especially If the grass, as whole.
is fed certain plant foods.
II clover Is used in any appreciable
quantities, it is necessary to see to it
that the soil has plenty Of lime, phos-
phorus and potash. The last two are
supplied by most commercial fertilizers.
Some of them use lime as basis for
the incorporation of these elements in
an integral fertilizer.
Glover should be sown, therefore,
OIlly OIl IllOSS 1dWlIo SCCOCu III oCCOIQ-
ance with what may be called old-time
line soil, rather than in tune with the
newer idea of a slightly acid soil.
The use Of hydrated or agricultural
lime on the lawn is not to be under
taken offhand, even by the most care
less person: lime is not material to
scatter heedlessly any place. Rightly
understood, and correctly used, it is
beneficial to soils and to many plants.
German iris, for instance, treated
with lime in early Spring. as early as
February or March, will respond with
splendid blossoms. But Japanese iris
should not have it.
If lime Is to be used on lawns, 1t
should be placed out not later than
thoroughly incorporated with the soil
through the action of the rains
Clover sown in such a soil either
by itself. or in a certain percentage in
the grass seed mixture, will take root
joyfully, and reward the amateur hor-
ticulturist with some Of those fine
patches Of deep green which are like
pools and eGdies in the ocean.
Strict uniformity, therefore, Is lack
ing in such a lawn. Whether the home
owner will like this, or not, depends en-
tirely upon his temperament. II he
does, the lawn will be more beautiful to
him with plenty Of Dutch white clover
in it.
And he may rest assured that his
grasses will be in better condition. as
a result of the underground work Of
the clover roots and their little aides.