90 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



dry hay. I am still recommending it for the lighter soils. The sole 

 objection to the plant is that it takes at least two years to get it in 

 full operation, and it does not, therefore, fit into a practicable rota- 

 tion. 



THE SOY BEANS. 



Until this season I have never appreciated the fact that as far as 

 soja beans, cow peas and vetches were concerned, the question of variety 

 was the all important factor. With all these classes there are certain va- 

 rieties which produce abundant foliage and stems, with little or no fruit. 

 Other varieties have medium foliage with a moderate amount of seed 

 and still others that seed abundantly, usually ripen early, but yield little 

 forage. Of the first class, yielding abundant succulent forage, there are, 

 of soy beans, the Medium Early Green soy, the Medium Early Black 

 soy, the Flat Saya from Japan, Ito San Soy, and the Extra Early Black 

 soy. The varieties are arranged in order of the amounts of forage pro- 

 duced, the heaviest yields first. 



THE VETCH. 



Of the vetches, the heavy yielders are : Vicia grandiflora and Vicia 

 pcregrhia, among those of the smooth or sativa group ; and, in the hairy 

 vetch series, Vicia biennis, Vicia disperma and the Louisiana vetch. 



The fact that the seed of the most valuable varieties is usually scarce 

 and high in price leads me to hesitate to recommend the vetch for any 

 purpose whatever, except perhaps for the production of seed. The for- 

 age of vetch makes a good hay, of Avhich stock seem at times to be fond 

 and again to reject. Much study must be given to the vetch in this 

 country before its true place in Michigan agriculture, at least, shall be 

 established. 



THE cow PEA. 



This legume is working its way northward, and there seems at this 

 time, to be a perfect furor in favor of it as a regular member of the 

 family of useful crops. In some sections of the State the cow pea has 

 done well in favorable seasons. The summer of 1902 was too wet and 

 cold for the crop, and we met with little success with it on the College 

 farm. Again, I caution you to look after the question of varieties, se- 

 lecting the Clay, Wonderful or Whippoorwill for abundant foliage. 

 Other varieties are of the bush order, do not attain great height but 

 seed better. Let us make haste slowly with the cow pea in this State. 



SOME NEW COMMERCIAL STOCK FEEDS. 



A recent bulletin from our Experiment Station reports the analysis 

 of some of the commercial feeding stuffs of Michigan. I am sure that all 

 feeders of livestock of any kind in the State will be interested in the 

 matter set forth. The Bulletin is written bv Professor F. W. Robison, 



