51 



and again cover the ground. The crop may be used either for grazing or for hay, 

 and the yield of either is largely increased if oats are sown on the same ground. 



Spring Vetch or Tares (Vicia sativa). — Annual; stems trailing, pubescent, 1 to 2 

 feet; leaves variable in shape, from obovate to linear; flowers axillary, in pairs, 

 nearly sessile. 



An introduced plant which is of considerable value for winter grazing and for 

 growing with winter oats, but less prolific than the hairy vetch. 



Fig. 20.— Hairy Yetcli (Ticia villosa). 



Winter Vetch (Laihymshirsutus). — Annual; stem climbing or straggling, branch- 

 ing, 2 to 4 feet; leaves 3 to 6 in cluster; pods short, 2 seeded. 



Introduced and naturalized in many places. Seed sown in September or October 

 will germinate with the first autumn rains, though the plants make but little growth 

 before January or February, after which they grow rapidly and cover tlie ground 

 with a dense mass of forage by March or April. The plants bear graziug well, and 

 reseed the ground freely. They will not bear qnitc as nmch frost as will the hairy 

 vetch, but are eaten fully as well, and seem to be i)referred by horses, though not by 

 cattle. An excellent winter and spring pasture plant. 



