69 



When cutting it I found one plant well advanced in seed and covered it with jiine 

 brush; the beans are well tilled Imt not quite dry vet. I will let you know next 

 year if they germinate, and if they do we may be able to raise them in Virginia. 



Mr. J. M. Hughes, Claremont, Surrey County: 



A good clay loam was plowed in March and well prepared. The seed was sown 

 May 15 in rows 3^ feet apart and 8 inches in the rows. By October 27 there were 

 many full-sized pods but none ripened. As the frost ripened the vines I cut them 

 for feed. From the seed received I planted about 10 square rods and had about all 

 two good horses could draw (green) . As to its value for forage, I think if the seed 

 were planted in hills with corn to hold up the vines there would be few plants that 

 would equal it, and had I planted them earlier I think some would have ripened. 



SAINFOIN, ESPARCETTE, (Onobrychis sativa). 

 (Plate XI, tig. 2.) 



A deep-rooting, perennial legume, 1 to 2 feet high, with round, 

 striated stems and compound leaves. The leaflets are arranged in from 

 8 to 10 or more pairs with an odd terminal one. It is a native of the 

 limestone districts of central, southern, and temperate Asia, and was 

 introduced into England from France several hundred years ao-o, where 

 it has been extensively cultivated on hilly, calcareous soils too barren 

 for the growth of clover and alfalfa. In many parts of Switzerland 

 where the tiner grasses will not grow it is the main dependence for 

 forage. Parkinson, as early as 1640, says that it is "generally known 

 to be a singular food for cattle, causing them to give a store of milk." 



The Hon. William H. Crawford, of Georgia, is said to be the first to 

 introduce ^sainfoin into the Southern States about the year 1820. 

 Strange to say, it is but little known throughout the country at the 

 present time. This is chiefly due to the fact that it is very diflicult to 

 establish. The plants are very tender when young and easily killed. 

 In order to insure success, the soil must be thoroughly drained and 

 friable and the seed sown broadcast on the surface and thorouo-hly 

 rolled. The crop should not be pastured or cut the first season, but 

 when once well rooted it will endure pasturing and cutting for a long 

 term of years. When made into hay it should be cut as soon as the 

 first flowers appear. The quality of the hay will then be more nutri- 

 tious and palatable, the second crop of foliage more abundant, and its 

 duration prolonged. It is a strong food and good for working horses. 

 Cattle are also fond of it when cut green, and sheep are said to highly 

 relish it. Our special agent at Abilene, Texas, reports that although 

 he did not sow it until May, he secured plants 12 to 18 mches tall, 

 which stood the dry weather better than the vetches, clovers, or alfalfas, 

 and quite as well as sulla. He thinks that there is no better forase 

 plant for barren hills or hillsides. Twelve packages of the seed of 

 sainfoin have been distributed and 5 reports received. 



Mr. F. A. English, Farmington, Whitman County, Wash., reports: 



The seed was sow^n by hand May 1, 1899, on well-prepared l)lack loam, summer 

 followed. Only one-third of a stand was secured, but it is now (November 1) in 



