366 LESPEDEZA SfRIATA. JAPAN CLOVER. 



jind mules should receive less corn or oats than when fed on any 

 other provender. In some parts of the country the peas are 

 often troubled with pea weevil or "bug." To prevent this 

 Prof. Phares lets them remain in the pod till ready to use, or 

 when dry, then thresh them and mix with road dust. 



With reference to the cow pea for Mississippi, Professor Gul- 

 ley reports as follows: " For hay and for plowing in to fertilize 

 the land, we sow broadcast a bushel to a bushel and a half to the 

 acre, harrow in and cut with a mower as we would clover. Black 

 and red peas make more vines and will stand Avet weather with- 

 out rotting, when speckled peas will be entirely spoiled. I sow 

 the black and red exclusiveh', cut for hay, feed off with stock or 

 leave them to rot on the ground for manure. For seed we sow 

 in drills and cultivate once or twice. Peas are a slow crop to 

 gather, as they do not ripen evenly. I consider this crop one of 

 the most valuable for hay or ensilage or for restoring the fer- 

 tility of tlu- soil. It stands first." 



Lespedeza striata, Japan Clover. — This is a low perennial 

 herb, with small trifoliolate leaves aiid very small flowers, pro- 

 ducing a small, flattish, indehiscent one-seeded pod. The seeds 

 to this wore accidentally brought to South Carolina about 1849, 

 probably in (;onnection with importations of tea from China. It 

 has spread continually and quite rapidly over the South, and has 

 quite tenaciously held its own, even crowding Bermuda grass. 



The writer knows little of this plant, and ventures to quote 

 some very conflicting opinions as to its value. Several writers 

 speak of it as very suitable for poor soils for grazing in dry, hot 

 weather. The stems spread close to the ground, seldom grow- 

 ing over a foot high. It is quite firm and hard, and at first not 

 a favorite with stock. They learn to eat and thrive on it be- 

 cause of its nutritive qualities, which chemical analysis makes 



Pia. 137.— Z/espedeza striata. (Japan Clover.) Part of a plant.— (U. S. Agrl. Rept.) 



