FLAT PEA, 133 
produce the heaviest crop but good returns can be obtained from 
stiff clay or sand. As the roots go deep, the character of the subsoil 
is more important than that of the surface. A well drained subsoil 
is necessary for the proper development of the plant and stagnant 
water has always an injurious effect. The roots penetrate so far 
that the Flat Pea is very resistant to drought. 
Agricultural value: The wild plant has a bitter taste and is 
not liked by stock. It is also claimed that it is apt to cause serious 
illness. The cultivated variety has no bitter taste; it is richer in 
nutritive constituents and its feeding value is much greater. 
The agricultural value of Flat Pea is somewhat disputed. It 
is claimed that it is a valuable forage plant, especially when used as 
hay in mixtures, but the results obtained from experiments do not 
encourage its being grown on a large scale. It cannot be recom- 
mended for short rotations. 
Fodder: When grown for hay it should be cut as soon as the 
flowers begin to appear or the stems begin to lodge. As growth 
starts early in spring and continues during the whole season, two 
or three cuttings can be taken from the second year on. 
Seed growing: The best results are obtained on light, sandy 
soil, the crop reaching its full size during the third and fourth years. 
Harvesting is difficult because the pods 1ipen unevenly and break up 
in hot weather, scattering the seeds. They are generally hand picked 
as soon as they are ripe. 
Quality of seed: The seeds are about the same size and shape 
as those of vetches, brown, their surface being finely roughened by 
a delicate net-like system of curved and branched veins. 
Husbandry is an art so gentle, so humane, that mistresslike she makes all those who look on her 
or listen to her voice intelligent of herself at once. Many a lesson does she herself impart how best 
to try conclusions with her. See, for instance, how the vine, making a ladder of the nearest tree 
whereon to climb, informs us that it needs support.—Xenophon, The Economist, 434-355 B.C. 
Methought I came to consider the wonderful actions which the Sovereign has commanded Nature 
to perform, and amongst other things I gazed upon the branches of the vines, peas and gourds which 
seemed to have some feeling and knowledge of their weakly nature; for being unable to support them- 
selves, they threw out certain small arms, like threads, into the air, and finding some small branch or 
bough, proceeded to bind and attach themselves to it, without separating from it again, in order to 
support the parts of their weakly nature-—Bernard Palissy, Jardin Delectable, 1508-89. 
