VELVET BEAN 163 



such as winter oats or rye. About 30 pounds of vetch seed to 

 one bushel of grain is sown to the acre. When sown alone be- 

 tween 50 and 60 pounds of seed to the acre is used. It is a some- 

 what drought-enduring plant and does well on sandy or clay- 

 loam soils. 



As stock feed, either as winter pasture or as hay, hairy vetch 

 ranks high, the leafage being readily consumed by all classes of 

 stock. It also makes a satisfactory cover crop and is valuable 

 in improving and maintaining soil fertility. 



Common or spring vetch is a viny annual, which grows close 

 to the ground. The cultural requirements of common vetch 

 are the same as those of hairy vetch. Narrow-leaved vetch, as 

 well as the common and hairy vetches, has been used considerably 

 in the cotton region. 



Velvet Bean. — Velvet bean (Mucuna utilis) is a native of 

 India and is believed to have been introduced into this country 

 about 1875. Its growth is confined to the South, the area of 

 successful cultivation being practically the same as for the culti- 

 vation of cotton east of Texas. It is an annual twining legume 

 that grows with unusual vigor; but, because it matures late, it 

 is confined to a warm climate (Fig. 54). Along the Gulf coast, in 

 Atlantic coast regions, and as far north as the Coastal Plain of 

 North Carolina, velvet bean is an important constituent of the 

 field crops. It is also an important crop plant in Cuba, Porto 

 Rico, coastal Mexico, and other tropical countries. Some 

 species are dwarfed and bushlike in growth, but others make 

 vines 50 feet or more in length. There are several varieties of 

 velvet bean. Two somewhat distinct types of pods are produced 

 — those covered with dense, black, velvety hairs, and those 

 whose hairs are short, white, or gray. The pods vary in length 

 from 2 to 6 inches. 



The cultural methods are practically the same for all varieties. 

 The rate of seeding is determined by the use to be made of the 

 crop. When planted with corn to be harvested for its grain. 

 2 to 3 quarts of seed per acre is sufficient; but, if a heavy crop 

 of beans is desired, and the corn plants are to be used chiefly as 

 support for the vines, twice as much seed should be sown. If 



