first of May and was then ready to be cut. Hairy vetch withstands 

 winter cold and summer drought, but it does not do well where there 

 is an excess of water in the soil. It is one of the most promising 

 fodder crops which has been brought into the United States in recent 

 years and by some is considered especially valuable for light sandy 

 soils. 



CULTIVATION. 



Hairy vetch (fig. 1) may be sown in autumn, from about the middle 

 of August to the middle of September ; or in spring, from the latter 

 part of April to the middle of May. It should be sown broadcast or 

 with a grain drill at the rate of 1 to 1^ bushels of seed per acre. 

 The latter method will require a less amount of seed. When the 

 seed is put in broadcast, a bushel of rye, oats or wheat should be 

 sown at the same time, so as to furnish a support to keep the vines 

 up off the ground. If it is sown in drills in the latter part of August 

 the crop should be cultivated several times. It will furnish some 

 forage in autumn, and where the winter is not too severe will start 

 to grow again in the spring, thus producing forage in late autumn 

 and early spring, at the two periods when it is most needed. 



While it gives a fair crop on poor soil it is most profitable as a 

 forage plant on rich and well- tilled land. It needs considerable 

 moisture during the first six weeks of its growth, but when once 

 fairly established withstands drought and extremes of temperature. 

 The seeds germinate poorly when they are more than two years old. 

 Most of the seed used in this country is imported from Europe, so 

 that particular care ought to be taken by importers and dealers to 

 handle none but such as can be sold under guarantee as good, fresh 

 seed. 



At the Mississippi Agricultural Experiment Station seed of this 

 vetch was sown in October, 1888, and since that time has given 

 heavy annual crops on the same ground, although receiving no 

 attention. Its seeds germinated with the first autumn rains, and 

 covered the ground ])y the first of January, furnishing good grazing 

 until April or May. If the stock is taken oft' the field in March the 

 plants will mature and reseed the ground freely for the next year. 



FORAGE VALUE. 



Hairy vetch is eaten with relish by all kinds of stock. If properly 

 cured it makes good hay, though on account of its habit of growth 

 the process is difficult. It has been tested in the silo in alternate 

 layers with green corn and also alone. The former method is the 

 one to be used if the best ensilage is desired. It is a most excellent 

 forage plant for soihng purposes. On account of the difficulty of 

 cutting it properly, it will give the most satisfactory results fed in 

 this way. 



The seed is as yet very expensive, being about $4 per bushel of 70 

 pounds. As soon as its cultivation has increased to such an extent 

 that the seed may be obtained at prices less prohibitive, this vetch 

 will undoubtedly occupy a permanent place in American agriculture. 



