1Enclosure: Invoice to Robert Cary & Company, 1 May 1759 (Washington Papers)
), or sainfoin, are similar fodder plants.
2[September 1764] (Washington Papers)
GW tried doggedly to raise sainfoin (
3[Diary entry: 27 September 1764] (Washington Papers)
GW tried doggedly to raise sainfoin (
4April 1786 (Washington Papers)
.... At the latter I found (including what was sowed yesterday and Saturday) 50 rows of Burnet Seed planted along side, and in the same manner of, the rib grass & that they had begun to sow the Sainfoin Seed. Sowing Barley yesterday & this day, at this plantation 30 Rows of which had been put in before I got there every other one of which had a slight sprinkling only of dung not being able to...
5[Diary entry: 19 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
.... At the latter I found (including what was sowed yesterday and Saturday) 50 rows of Burnet Seed planted along side, and in the same manner of, the rib grass & that they had begun to sow the Sainfoin Seed. Sowing Barley yesterday & this day, at this plantation 30 Rows of which had been put in before I got there every other one of which had a slight sprinkling only of dung not being able to...
6From George Washington to Wakelin Welch, 5 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
10 bushels of Sainfoin seeds.
7From George Washington to Arthur Young, 6 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
10 Bushels of Sainfoin Seeds.
8From George Washington to Arthur Young, 15 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
Eight Bushels of Sainfoin seed—all to be in good Sacks.
9Memorandum Books, 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
grew sainfoin,
10From Thomas Jefferson to Nicholas Lewis, 29 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
...to send to Mr. Buchanan for me, I never heard of. The difficulty of getting them here renders it not worth attempting again. I will put into this letter some more seeds of the Spanish Sainfoin lest those formerly sent should have miscarried. The present situation of Europe threatens a war, which if it breaks out will probably be a very general one. France and England are so little in a...
11October [1787] (Washington Papers)
Seeds—on which 1½ B. of Rye was sown and therewith on the No. part of the grd. 1½ Bushls. of Sainfoin & 6 lbs. of Trafoil adjoining the Road. The lower part of the grd. had 2 quarts of Timothy Seed sown with the Rye....to sow Wheat and Sainfoin in the orchard in the Neck—the ground being first plowed—then crossed—on which the Wheat was sown and harrowed in with a heavy harrow the way it...
12[October 1787] (Washington Papers)
...to all the Plantations. Sent 2 Plows from Frenchs to Muddy hole—the other 2 preparg. ground within the Meadow for Rye & grass Seeds—on which 1½ bushels of Rye was sown and therewith 1½ bushls. of sainfoin and 6 lbs. of Trefoil on the part next the road, & on the lower part adjoining the branch 2 quarts of Timothy Seed....to sow Wheat and Sainfoin in the Orchard in the Neck. Finding the Pease...
13[Diary entry: 2 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
Seeds—on which 1½ B. of Rye was sown and therewith on the No. part of the grd. 1½ Bushls. of Sainfoin & 6 lbs. of Trafoil adjoining the Road. The lower part of the grd. had 2 quarts of Timothy Seed sown with the Rye.
14[Diary entry: 2 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
...to all the Plantations. Sent 2 Plows from Frenchs to Muddy hole—the other 2 preparg. ground within the Meadow for Rye & grass Seeds—on which 1½ bushels of Rye was sown and therewith 1½ bushls. of sainfoin and 6 lbs. of Trefoil on the part next the road, & on the lower part adjoining the branch 2 quarts of Timothy Seed.
15From George Washington to Robert Morris, 2 October 1787 (Washington Papers)
...Britanic Majesty for the advantage it may have over other wheat I shall not vouch; to vary the seed time of this grain must, I conceive be its best recommendation, you will likewise receive part of the Sainfoin Seed I had come in—sufficient I think to sow a quarter of an acre in broad Cast if good—and much more in drills. It is held in high estimation in England. the grass delights in...
16[Diary entry: 11 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
Rid to all the Plantations. Began to sow Wheat and Sainfoin in the orchard in the Neck—the ground being first plowed—then crossed—on which the Wheat was sown and harrowed in with a heavy harrow the way it was last plowed—then followed the Sainfoin and harrowed in the same way, with the same harrow—so that, on the whole the Oat Stubble had two plowings and two harrowings.
17[Diary entry: 11 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
Rid to all Plantations. Began to sow Wheat and Sainfoin in the Orchard in the Neck. Finding the Pease at Muddy hole riper than those remaining to be cut at Frenchs ordered the Scythsmn. to go there tomorrow and leave the greener ones to the last.
18[Diary entry: 15 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
Finished Sowing the Orchard in the Neck with Wheat & Sainfoin seed. Of the first it took
bushels. Note—This grd. has been plowed & cross plowed—then Wheat sown & harrowed in—with the heavy harrow—Next sown with Sainfoin and harrowed in like manner (both the way the ground was plowed last)—after which 50 lbs. of Trefoil was sown over the whole and harrowed with the double harrows cross the former.
19[Diary entry: 15 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
Rid to Muddy hole and into the Neck. Took an Acct. of the Stock at both places. Finished Sowing the Orchard with Wheat & Sainfoin—of the first .... has been plowed & cross plowed—then Wheat sown & harrowed with the heavy harrow—then sowed with Sainfoin & harrowed in like manner—both the way it was last plowed. Ordered 50 lbs. of Trafoil to be sown over the Whole & harrowed with the dble....
20[Diary entry: 17 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
...not. Finished getting in the fodder at this place (which concluded this business at all the places—Sowed as yesterday and to day (Wind preventing it sooner) 50 lbs. of Trefoil on the Wheat and Sainfoin in the Orchard in the Neck and began to sow at the No. Wt. Corner of this enclosure under furrow the Winter Vetches crossing by so doing the first plowing after which a light harrow followed...
21[Diary entry: 17 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
...more knowledge of it) determe. Finished getting in the Fodder in the Neck the last at all the Places. Sowed yesterday & today (wind preventing it sooner) the trefoil 50 lbs. on the Wheat & Sainfoin in the Orch[ard] in the Neck and began to sow under furrow the Winter Vetches at the No. end of the same inclosure crossing therewith the first plowing and intending to run the light dble....
22[Diary entry: 24 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
be called the Orchard part of it had been sown with Wheat—Sainfoin—and Trafoil as has been mentioned—That the slipe between the Water course from the Road to the Spring & the Road ...plowed—Then the Wht. harrowed in—next the Sainfoin harrowed in; both the same way the ground had been last plowed—and lastly, after the Trafoil was sown—the whole cross harrowed with a light harrow. The part...
23[Diary entry: 27 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
...20 lbs. of red clover—in the 3d. 2 Bushls. of Orchard grass—In the 4th. 20 lbs. of Hop-clover—In the 5th. four Bushls. of Ray grass and in the 6th. 2 bushls. of Sainfoin. After sowing these Seeds the ground was first rolled and then harrowed with a bush. The square containing Sainfoin had the Seed first harrowed in with the Wheat over and above what is mentioned to have been done with...
24[Diary entry: 27 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
...next 20 lbs. of red clover—in the 3d. 2 Bushels of Orchard grass—in the 4th. 20 lbs. of Hop clover—In the 5th. 4 bushels of Ray grass and in the 6th. 2 bushels of Sainfoin. After sowing these seeds the ground was first rolled & then harrowed with a bush. The sqr. containing Sainfoin had the Seed harrowed in at the same time the Wheat was over and above the bush harrowing & rolling that the...
25November 1787 (Washington Papers)
...place with grass seeds; and found that the red clover, hop clover, Ray grass, and orchard grass were all up very thick. None of the rib grass could I perceive up and very little if any of the Sainfoin....Vetches, red clov. and trafoil which had been sowed in the Neck were also up the two last very thick & well; but I could perceive none of the Burnet, and very little of the Sainfoin above...
26From George Washington to Arthur Young, 1 November 1787 (Washington Papers)
The quantity of Sainfoin which you sent me was fully sufficient to answer my purpose; I have sown part of it, but find that it comes up very thin, which is likewise the case with the Winter Wheat, & some other Seeds...
27[Diary entry: 22 November 1787] (Washington Papers)
...place with grass seeds; and found that the red clover, hop clover, Ray grass, and orchard grass were all up very thick. None of the rib grass could I perceive up and very little if any of the Sainfoin....Vetches, red clov. and trafoil which had been sowed in the Neck were also up the two last very thick & well; but I could perceive none of the Burnet, and very little of the Sainfoin above...
28From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 13 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
...them. I am not less obliged to you for the offer of sp[r]ing Wheat; but a little of this also I got from England, from the same Gentleman—Mr Young—to gether with the winter Vetch, Sainfoin and other seeds. But from a neglect too common among Master’s of Vessels (of stowing them in the hold) I fear
..., the Sainfoin and some other seeds which were imported and sown last Autumn. With care...
29April [1788] (Washington Papers)
...10 bushls. of Barley & harrowed in length ways. The first Acre (or 2 half Acre Squares) was also sown with 6 lbs. of White Clover (imported) but remained unharrowed (cross wise) till 4 bushels of Sainfoin wch. was in soak should be sown there on likewise. Women heaping dung, old Straw &ca. about the Barn....the Sainfoin on the grd. allotted for it; which with the White Clover was harrowed in...
30[Diary entry: 19 April 1788] (Washington Papers)
...10 bushls. of Barley & harrowed in length ways. The first Acre (or 2 half Acre Squares) was also sown with 6 lbs. of White Clover (imported) but remained unharrowed (cross wise) till 4 bushels of Sainfoin wch. was in soak should be sown there on likewise. Women heaping dung, old Straw &ca. about the Barn.
31[Diary entry: 21 April 1788] (Washington Papers)
At Muddy hole, sowed the Sainfoin on the grd. allotted for it; which with the White Clover was harrowed in. This had been in soak (being very hard & dry) since friday morning. Also sowed, in the next two squares, or Acre...
32From George Washington to Samuel Powel, 15 September 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have not been more fortunate in my Sainfoin seed than you were. Though from the appearance one would not judge so, yet it is a tender Seed. Of my first sowing last autumn, a few vegetated & came up, but were destroyed by the Frost....
33From George Washington to Anthony Whitting, 5 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
Sainfoin (
34From George Washington to William Pearce, 19 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
John Christian Ehlers was the head gardener at Mount Vernon. Sainfoin,
35From George Washington to William Pearce, 30 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
The report on the sainfoin seed from head gardener John Christian Ehlers has not been
found. A pottle is equal to two quarts.
36To Thomas Jefferson from John Taylor, 1 June 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
In a rival-ship upon a very small scale between clover and sainfoin, the former evidently has the preference. I shall continue and extend it. Wherever clover can be prevailed on to exist, it will improve the soil; but it will not live on poor land. I have reason for... ..., from sainfoin. In the case of clover, I sustained so considerable a loss in seed, that my experiments of other...
37From George Washington to William Pearce, 10 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
...been saved from the little garden, & the Vineyard, than the Spring, I could wish to have it done, as I am extremely anxious to encrease the quantity of each as fast as I am able; particularly the Sainfoin;...) adjoining to the few plants of Sainfoin, you might put one half the seed of that plant which the Gardener saved therein—let the rows be about 12 inches apart—& the seed very thin...
38From George Washington to William Strickland, 15 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
engaged for many years in improving the estate. By introducing sainfoin on their wold land in 1779, they greatly increased the value of the land. They also were successful in improving cattle. Sometime before 1770 the Stricklands had begun a woolen manufacture to provide employment for the poor (
39To Thomas Jefferson from De Chanlas, 20 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
...his estate by planting 300 fruit trees “of the Best Sort” to be found in France. Unable to bring grain successfully to market, he developed “artificial” meadows by sowing sainfoin, red clover, lucerne, and various vetches for cattle. His farm “acquired Such a Reputation as to Engage many Curious Gentlemen, to come and see it,” including the intendant of the province, who encouraged...
40To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Peters, 8 January 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
...have none better than your own. Sowing it thick or thin makes it fine or coarse. I generally sow 8 Pounds or Pints to the Acre & I find it fine enough. I have tried Luzerne, Onobrychis or Sainfoin, Burnet &c &c, but I stick to the red clover because it sticks to me. The others cost more than they come to.
41James Ronaldson to Thomas Jefferson, 4 March 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Sainfoin that gives two crops ⅌ annum
42Thomas Jefferson to James Ronaldson, 12 January 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
sainfoin [index entry]
43Thomas Appleton to Thomas Jefferson, 5 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
sainfoin [index entry] seeds; sainfoin [index entry]
44Enclosure: Thomas Appleton’s Notes on Lupinella Grass Seed, [ca. 5 March 1817] (Jefferson Papers)
sainfoin [index entry] seeds; sainfoin [index entry]
45Henry A. S. Dearborn to Thomas Jefferson, 1 May 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
sainfoin [index entry] seeds; sainfoin [index entry]
46Thomas Jefferson to Isaac A. Coles, 7 May 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
sainfoin [index entry] seeds; sainfoin [index entry]
47Isaac A. Coles to Thomas Jefferson, 8 May 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
sainfoin [index entry] seeds; sainfoin [index entry]
48Thomas Jefferson to James Gibbon, 13 May 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
sainfoin [index entry] seeds; sainfoin [index entry]
49James Gibbon to Thomas Jefferson, 22 May 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
sainfoin [index entry] seeds; sainfoin [index entry]
50Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Appleton, 1 August 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
, 23 June 1817). Lupinella is the Italian name for sainfoin (