FIELD CROPS. 43 



half of each plat the vines and roots were removed when the crop was 

 rii)e; on the other half they were plowed under. In the spring and 

 fall of each year a sample of soil from eaeli half plat was analyzed for 

 nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and jjotash. Tabulated data are given con- 

 taiuing analyses (fertilizer constituents) of different ])arts of the jdant 

 and analyses of the soil of the plats. 



The largest amounts of fertilizing ingredients weje found in the soil 

 of the plats on Avhicli the varieties Clack, Unknown, ludian, Red Pep- 

 per, and Clay were plowed under, showiug an estimated gain for 3 

 years of VM) lbs. per acre for the soil from which the crop had been 

 removed and 305 lbs. per acre for the green-manured soil. 



The results of experiments are summarized in part as follows: 



" The best varieties of peas for ^iiies and green manuring are tlie Unknown. Black, 

 Clay, lied, etc, while the strictly bunch varieties, Whix)poorwill, Blue, Black-eye, 

 etc., give larger returns in peas. 



"Cowjtea vines can be converted into hay or preserved as silage, botli of whichhave 

 proven by repeated experiments to be palatable and nutritious food for larm stock." 



On account of its capacity for gathering nitrogen the cowpea is 

 regarded as a valuable crop in a rotation for the South. A 3 years' 

 rotation with 5 crops (oats, cowjieas, cotton, and corn and cowjieas), 

 with suitable feitilizer for each crop, has been found most effective in 

 building up worn soils. The vines should, if possible, be converted 

 into hay or silage and fed to stock. If they can not be thus utilized, 

 they should be plowed under for green manure. 



On the ground of economy it is recommended to plow under tlie 

 green manure early in the fall and sow the grouud later in some winter 

 croj), like rye, to be turned under later if a spring crop be desired. 



Miscellaneous fodder crops, J. L. Hills ( Vermont Sfa. Rpt. 1894, 

 pp. Jii7^ KiS). — The yield and conii^osition with reference to both food 

 and fertilizer ingredients are given for the following crops grown 

 experimentally at the station: Soja beau, hairy vetch, hairy vetch and 

 oats, spring vetch, spring vetch and oats, and serradella. 



" [Soja beans, green aiid black medium varieties] were grown in 1893, as Avell as in 

 1894, and proved satisfactory each year. . . . No other leguminous hoed crop which 

 we have grown has given us better returns in tonnage of green fodder, dry matter, 

 or ]»rotein. The green variety this year yielded at the rate of 6| tons green fodder, 

 2 tons dry fodder, and nearly a (quarter of a ton of protein to the acre. The crop 

 was poorer in protein than last year's growth. . . . Although good growths were 

 made [of hairy and spring vetches with and without oats] our experience with these 

 crops for several years does not lead us to consider them equal to peas and oats. . . . 

 [Serradella yielded] about a ton of dry matter to the acre. . . . We recommend it as 

 a iiromising forage crop." 



Experiments with oats, C. C. Georgeson, F. C. IJurtis, and 

 1). 11. Otis {Kansas ^Sta. liuL oi,2>P- 115-125). 



Synopsis. — Spring plowing, early sowing, hot-water treatment for smut, heavy seed, 

 the shoe drill with press wheels, and cutting when ripe are recommended. 



This is a continuation of work published in Bulletin 42 of the station 

 (E. S. R., 5, p. 1072). Tabulated data are given for each set of experi- 

 ments. 



4250— Xo. 1 4 



