11 



A inontli later most of tlie roots were apparently dead. Quite recently 

 (December) some of the roots liave taken on new life and are coming- 

 out nicely. They are at this date not only alive, but have developed 

 new foliage in spite of the freezing weather since the October rains. 

 I desire to mal<e another test of this variety of clover during 1900, and 

 am inclined to think that it will do well here under normal conditions. 



VETCHKS. 



Few of the farmers of Texas are familiar with the vetches. Two 

 varieties were successfully tested during 1899, viz, spring vetch (Vicia 

 sativa) and hairy vetch ( Vicia villosa). Seeds of Stolley vetch ( Vieia 

 leaven n-ortim) were sown in February, but the freeze that followed a 

 few days later and continued through the month destroyed them. In 

 the same month seeds of the other two varieties named were sown, but 

 few of them germinated and none of the plants (not vigorous at any 

 time) survived. The later plantings (March 17 and April 10) did well. 

 The spring vetch ( Vicia sativa) is an annual trailing herb and grew 

 from 18 to 20 inches tall. The hairy vet(;h has been successfully grown 

 without irrigation in the moist coastal regions of Washington, on the 

 dry ])rairies of South Dakota, and the rich loamy soils of the Gulf 

 country. Both of these varieties, the spring vetch and the hairy vetch, 

 if sown in Texas in April or May, will be ready for harvest by the 

 middle of August or first of September. Texas farmers are strongly 

 recommended to try both of them. This year seed sown broadcast, in 

 drills, and in hills all gave satisfactory results. 



«rL,LA. 



(Hedj/saruiii coroiiarinm). 



This is a perennial legume, native to southern Italy, that should be 

 known to and cultivated by our Texas farmers. The main plot was 

 planted May 4 and is on the side of a dry, gravelly hill. From the 

 start the growth was vigorous and by the time the hot, dry winds 

 began in July the foliage was from C to 12 inches long. The roots 

 penetrated the ground to a considerable depth and up to about August 

 1 it seemed that this crop Avas going to stand the drought well. By 

 tlie 15th of that month, however, it began to show the effects of drought 

 aud by September all the foliage was Avithered and dead. From that 

 time until late in October there was no evidence of vitality in the 

 plants. Following the rain of October 20 the roots revived very (juickly 

 and by November 10 the new growth was from 3 to G inches tall; since 

 then the roots have been growing down into the earth and the foliage 

 has been pushing up, and tlie plot is still green. Roots were sent to 

 the Department of Agriculture recently that measured 10 to 14 inches 

 in length with foliage from 5 to S inches long. The recent freezes, none 

 of them very severe, however, do m)t appear to have made any impres- 

 sion either on the roots or foliage. The good showing made by this 



