30 OECHARD GREEN-MANUEE CEOPS IN CALIFOENIA. 



central root, or taproot, than common vetch, and the fibrous roots 

 tend to penetrate more deeply. The seeding habits are much better 

 than those of other vetches. The pods shatter but very little, which 

 much facilitates the harvesting of the seed. 



Black bitter vetch is grown very extensively in the Mediterranean 

 region, where the seed is a commercial product. The fact that the 

 seed of this plant can be imported at a reasonable cost makes it pos- 

 sible to supply the trade at once. On account of the plant branch- 

 ing but little it is necessary to use a slightly larger quantity of seed 

 in seeding than with common vetch. Seventy pounds per acre is 

 recommended. Aside from the quantity of seed per acre used, the 

 crop should be handled like common vetch. 



WOOLLY-PODDED VETCH. 



Woolly -podded vetch (Vicia dasycarpa) resembles hairy vetch 

 quite closely, both in appearance and in agricultural value. 



In comparative tests the woolly-podded vetch has made a stronger 

 growth during the cool weather of early winter than the common or 

 the hairy vetch, but not so strong as the black-purple vetch or the 

 black bitter vetch. As soon as the warmer weather of the latter part 

 of winter comes it is one of the most vigorous growers and its ultimate 

 yield is very heavy. Thus, while it will serve very well as a crop to 

 be turned under in early winter its special value is for conditions where 

 the crop can be allowed to remain a little later in the spring. For 

 sowing without irrigation in deciduous orchards it may be of special 

 value. 



Woolly-podded vetch stands trampling well and for orchard use 

 is in this respect ec[ual, if not superior, to common vetch. The root 

 system is about like that of common vetch and is well covered with 

 medium large nodules. 



In growing woolly-podded vetch it should be handled as common 

 vetch, except that a little less seed may be used in seeding. Fifty 

 pounds per acre is sufficient. 



HORSE BEAN. 



The horse bean (Vicia faba) has been but little grown in California. 

 The broad bean, however, which differs from the horse bean only in 

 having larger and broader seeds and pods, has been grown as a vege- 

 table for a number of years in a few localities. 



Experimental tests in California during the past few years indicate 

 that the horse bean has considerable value as a green-manure crop, 

 especially in the southern part of the State. (See fig. 9.) 



The plant has an upright stem which is quite leafy, but little 

 branched. The leaves, as well as the stems, are quite large, but com- 



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