FARM DEPARTMENT. 125 



crop, as the plant dies after seeding, and the volunteer crop, while often 

 large, cannot be depended upon; it is more tender to the touch of cold 

 than is desirable, sometimes being killed by untimely frosts; it does not 

 root deeply in the soil and hence may be injured by drouths. 



Can we find a plant that is perennial, that will not be cut down by 

 pretty severe frosts, that roots so deeply as not to be greatly injured 

 by severe drouths, that yields superior forage for all all farm stock, and 

 that has valuable qualities as a fertilizer? 



If this question can be answered in the affirmative we shall have 

 solved "the problem of the plains," for then we can convert them into 

 farms for breeding cattle and sheep; for producing meat, butter, cheese 

 and wool: and be able at the same time, from the manure produced by the 

 stock and from the fertilizing qualities of the plant, to improve from 

 year to year the quality of the soil. 



In thinking over this problem it seemed wisest to look among the 

 legumes for this possible, if improbable, plant. Among the legumes we 

 find the clovers, the cow-pea, the vetches, and beans and peas, all of which 

 are of great service for forage and fertilizing, some of which are among the 

 most important crops in the world. There are many other legumes found 

 in nearly all climates. If the plant we are seeking can be found at all it 

 will most probably be found among the legumes. 



Having reached this conclusion I began to ask questions of those familiar 

 with leguminous plants, and to look for hints among books and periodicals 

 as far as other most pressing duties would occasionally permit. 



While engaged in this search there came to my desk early in January, 

 1891, a circular making such glowing claims for a new plant, the flat pea, 

 {Lathyrus silvestris), that I was at first inclined to pass it by. But after 

 all it seemed worth while to experiment with the plant, for if the results 

 reached were only negative they would serve to warn others against loss of 

 time and labor and money. I sent to London, England, for five pounds of 

 the seed, and wrote to several parties in Germany asking about the plant. 

 I learned that the flat pea is a perennial which has long been known to 

 botanists, that in its wild state it contains some elements that make it 

 unpalatable and unhealthfulto animals, but that Herr Wagner, of Wurtem- 

 burg, has been experimenting with it for many years, and that it is claimed 

 that he has bred out the undesirable qualities, leaving a plant most valu- 

 able for forage and fertilizer, and adapted to different soils and climatic 

 conditions. 



The seed came to hand early in March, 1891, plump, clean, apparently 

 in good condition. I sent a small quantity to our sub-station at Grayling, 

 where it was planted all right in May, 1891. But when it was planted the 

 weather was dry, and after planting there was no rain until late in summer. 

 The seed, did not germinate at all. In this failure to grow it was not 

 alone, for seeds of other plants in adjacent plots did not germinate, or else 

 came only to a feeble growth after the fall rains began. In the spring of 

 1892 I sent more seed to Grayling, which germinated at the right time. 

 The plants made a top growth of six to eight inches and a root growth of 

 twelve to fourteen inches, the roots running well down into the soil and 

 being supplied with many tubercles, such as have attracted such wide 

 attention within a few years as the agents in secreting nitrogen from the 

 air. In 1892 I sent to Grayling a few dozens of plants of the flat pea from 

 among those grown at the college, which were set out and made a promis- 



