16 



OKCHAED nRT-IT^N-MANURK CROPS IN CALIFORNIA. 



The qualities of common vetch are such as to make it well adapted 

 for green-manure purposes, especially in citrus orchards, and 

 orchardists in general are growing it in preference to field peas, which 

 were largely grown a few years since. 



Common vetch makes a vinelike growth similar to that of peas, but 

 the vines are less succulent and so are able to stand considerable hard 

 usage without much injury. Thus, in orchards when picking fruit 

 and doing other work, the trampling which is unavoidable interferes 

 but little with the growth of the vetch. The root system, which is 

 quite extensive, lies largely near the surface and ordinarily is well 

 covered with nodules. 



':LA^'J^ZjJ: 



Fig. 3.— View in an orange orchard in southern California, showing common vetch grown as a green- 

 manure crop. 



Wlien used for a green-manure in southern California common 

 vetch is usually sown during September and the first half of October. 



However, better results are being secured with the earlier seedings, 

 and in most years to obtain the best results it is quite essential that 

 the crop be sown during the first half of September. Wlien thus 

 sown the plants make a good growth before cold weather and continue 

 to grow during the winter. But if the seed is sown late and the 

 plants have made but a small growth before the cold weather, they 

 then make little or practically no growth until the warmer weather 

 comes in the latter part of tJie winter. 



190 



