EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 



373 



CANADA PEAS. NITROGEN GATHERER. 



It is much better to use Canada peas with oats and they will be dis- 

 cussed later. 



ALFALFA, NITROGEN GATHERER. 



Alfalfa is sometimes suggested and occasionally used as a cover crop. 

 It is not adapted for such a purpose and should not be used. It is too 

 difficult to get a good stand and Avhen once secured too valuable to plow 

 the following spi-ing. The alfalfa roots are exceedingly tough and the 

 plowing is very difficult. 



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iHii 



Oats and peas cover crop. Sown Aug. 11, 1910. 

 Photo, Oct. 12, ISIO. 



Oats and peas same orchard shown in picture on left. 

 Condition on May 18. 1911. 



BUCKWHEAT. NON-NITROGEN GATHERER. 



Buckwheat is reliable as a cover crop. A uniform catch is secured 

 without difficulty, even on a hastily prepared seed bed, it grows quickly 

 and usually attains a good size before it is killed by the frost and after 

 this the stalks stand erect until early winter so the leaves and snow 

 are caught and held. The plant does well on a great variety of soils, 

 both those that are well supplied and those that are deficient in plant 

 food and humus. The root system of buckwheat is large and the roots 

 fine and they leave the soil in a good condition after plowing or harrow- 

 ing. Since buckwheat grows so rapidly it can be sown a little later than 

 most other crops. One bushel or 48 pounds of seed per acre will give 

 a fine, heavy stand. 



