578 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



Further, because of the number of plants belonging to this group, 

 and because of their wide range of adaptation to the various con- 

 ditions, it is possible to introduce one or more of them into the 

 regular systems of farm practice, Avithout interfering with useful and 

 profitable rotations. Many of them, for example, the various 

 clovers, red, crimson and alsike, are already grown extensively, and 

 their value in the rotation well understood by practical men. There 

 are many others, however, whose characteristics of growth and 

 adaptability to the various conditions have not been carefully 

 studied until recent years, and whose usefulness, therefore, is just 

 beginning to be appreciated. Among these are the Canada field 

 pea, the soy bean, the cow pea and the various varieties of vetch, 

 all possessing that valuable power of appropriating for their use 

 the free nitrogen of the air, and thus contributing directly to the 

 potential fertility of the soil. 



Another crop belonging to this class, which is yet in its experi 

 mental stage in the Eastern states, is even more valuable than any 

 yet mentioned, namely, alfalfa. For feeding purposes there is no 

 plant that is so promising, first, because of its high feeding value; 

 second, because of its rapid growth, and consequent large annual 

 yield; and third, because it is a perennial, and may be harvested from 

 year to year, without expense of reseeding or of cultivation. The 

 experiments thus far conducted seem to point to the fact that this 

 crop can be grown wherever good corn can be grown. That is, on 

 soils naturally well drained and reasonably fertile. 



The experiments conducted at the New Jersey Station show that 

 the average cost per ton of dry hay, for five years, even with heavy 

 manuring, was but |5.26 per ton, and that the feed value of this 

 hay compares favorably with the protein feeds, which at present 

 prices cost |22 or more per ton. This crop, more than any other, 

 fulfils that very important requirement, a cheap source of protein 

 for balancing other home-grown products. Its growth cannot be 

 too strongly recommended. An ideal situation would be where the 

 farm is growing corn and alfalfa to supply the entire needs of the 

 herd. 



The introduction of nitrogen-gathering crops has, too, a greater 

 significance for the man who manufactures any form of animal pro- 

 duct than for the grain farmer, because the selling or market price 

 of the grain or hay crop is not enhanced because of its containing 

 a larger amount of nitrogen, while it does increase feeding value, 

 as the nitrogen is the basis of the protein of his ration, the sub 

 stance which is usually deficient when only the regular farm crops 

 are used, and if without home supplies must be purchased. 



Other protein crops, not now largely grown, and which possess 

 these desirable characteristics, are crimson clover, cow peas, soy 

 beans, winter and spring vetch and field peas. Crimson clover is 

 in the true sence a catch-crop, and thus when it can be successfully 

 grown is a positive addition to the regular crops of the farm in ad- 

 dition to its value as a source of protein. The hay is richer in pro 

 tein than red and alsike clovers, is palatable, and will successfully 

 substitute an equivalent quantity of protein in other hays of the 

 same class. The chief disadvantage from the standpoint of the 

 hay grower, is that it matures too early to permit of its full use as 



