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 ripen 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, Jardtn Delectable, 1508-89. 



