PROMISING GREEN-MANURE CROPS. 



29 



to enable them to stand much tramphng or other hard usage without 

 injury. 



The time and manner of seeding tliis crop are much the same as 

 with common vetch. As the seed is a httle smaher, however, a 

 smaller quantity may be used in seeding. From 50 to 60 pounds per 

 acre is advised. 



BLACK BITTER VETCH. 



Black bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia), another very promising green- 

 manure crop for California, is different from most other vetches in 

 that it is upright in its habit of growth, rather than vinelike. Like 



''A}-:'-^r^^^^:^:Ji:. 







Fig. 8.— a field of black bitter vetch at Chico, Gal. 



the black-purple vetch, it possesses the desirable quality of making a 

 good growth during the cool weather of early winter and is much 

 superior to common vetch in this respect. (See fig. 8.) In this 

 connection it should be noted that different strains of this vetch 

 have given different yields, so that some will doubtless be found 

 superior to others. ■'-'•' 



Its upright habit of growth makes this crop very easy to turn under 

 with an ordinary moldboard plow. The viny growth of common 

 vetch makes it objectionable to some orchardists. The root system, 

 while quite well covered with nodules, is perhaps not so extensive as 

 that of some of the other vetches. The plant has a more definite 



190 



