418 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



almost impenetrable mass of foliage, two feet high, and so very dense 

 that it destroys ail other vegetation, even the thistle, ragweed, and other 

 noxious plants. When well cured these vines are simply invaluable for 

 hay, and worth, as ascertained by actual experiments, 33 to 50 per cent, 

 more than timotliy. The only difficulty in making them the leading 

 crop for hay is that it takes three days to cure them. Cattle and horses 

 prefer such hay to the best of herds-grass, and even to corn. Pea vines 

 are the best fertilizer we can use, decomposing very rapidly. I have 

 frequently cut off the vines before they began to run (July 1), and by 

 August the roots would throw out new vines two feet long. The seed 

 sold in May for 75 cents per bushel." 



The experimental plats were seeded down towards the 

 latter part of May, and produced a handsome, dense foliaceous 

 ojrowth, about eiijhteen inches hiijh, at the be^innins; of August 

 when the samples for analysis were collected. 



The early frost in September injured the crop. The plant 

 apparently deserves the importance claimed for it in the above 

 stated report. Its cultivation has proved a success in New 

 Jersey. The only objection which might be raised against 

 its introduction consists in the circumstance that matured 

 seeds cannot be relied on in our section of the country. 



As a green fodder it compares well with clover, and most 

 likely would produce a valuable ensilage. 



COW PEA. 

 Variety : Whippoorwill. 



[From Experimental Plats of Station; collected Aug. 1, 18S3.] 



