SAND, OR HAIRY VETCH 99 
kinds of grass or vegetation began to grow, the vetch 
plants were pushing out their summer foliage, and by 
May 1 they were four feet in length. About the first 
of June the two acres were cut for hay. 
The author saw clearly that he had found a valuable 
plant for the farm, yet exemplified usual caution by 
planting only 25 acres of vetch in August of 1907, the 
sowing being on the poorest and sandiest land of the 
farm, 2I acres in one field and four in another. It was 
decided to seed the 21 acres to field corn and leave the 
other for pasture. Both grew luxuriantly. 
The spring of 1908 was very wet, and it was May 1 
before the ground was in condition to break for corn. 
Delays were such that the 21-acre field was not entirely 
broken until May 25. The vetch had grown to a height 
of five feet, and the mass of vegetation was so heavy 
that it was almost impossible to turn under. A half 
dozen makes of plows were tried with complete failure, 
when finally success was obtained with a double disc 
plow, and the field was finished. The prospect did not 
look inviting, for bunches of vetch showed here and there 
sticking out of the ground. The field was worked down 
to fairly good condition for planting by dragging and 
rolling, and on June 3 and 4 was planted to yellow 
corn. 
Dire were the predictions made as to the outcome. 
Many contended that the heavy mass of vegetation 
would absorb all the moisture from the ground and the 
corn would perish. And it cannot be said that the au- 
thor was fairly hopeful. But he gritted his teeth, held 
his counsel and awaited results. The corn came up a 
