Vetch 



753 



The vetch seed, being too large to run through the grass-seed com- 

 joartment of the grain drill, is mixed with the oats. The usual 

 amounts of oats, clover, and grass seed are used, and to this is 

 added 6 to 20 pounds of vetch seed per acre. Experience seems 

 to indicate that in the northern part of the state 6 to 8 pounds of 

 vetch per acre is abundant, while in the southern part 15 to 20 

 pounds gives better results. When hairy vetch is used in this 

 manner it should be clearly understood that it is intended to 

 supplement the other crops — not to displace them. 



Fig. 085. — Harvesting Crop of Vetch and Clover Hay. 



That the presence of hairy vetch among the other plants 

 increases the total yield of forage there is no doubt. Determina- 

 tions in Jefferson County during the season of 1914 show that the 

 addition of vetch increased the total yield of dry hay as follows : 



Pounds 

 per acre 



Yield of timothy, clover and vetch 4, 530 



Yield of timothy and clover 2 , 900 



Gain due to presence of vetch in mixture 1 ,630 



During the first season the hairy vetch grows with the oats, 

 frequently making a growth of several feet but usually gTOwing 



