164 PRINCIPAL INTRODUCED NONGRASSLIKE EORAGi: HERBS 



the fullest possible stand is desired, as for green manure, a half- 

 bushel or more of seed should be used. 



Velvet bean furnishes excellent forage for cattle and hogs in 

 autumn and winter. The plant is not readily injured by expos- 

 ure and hence furnishes much desirable feed until early spring. 

 No more than half an acre of good cover is required to support a 

 cow for a 100-day period during the winter. This is equivalent 

 to the production of about 300 pounds of beef per acre. The 

 pods and seed are often gathered and ground into meal for feed- 

 ing to cattle and hogs. 



Japan Clover. — Japan clover {Lespedeza slriala) is a native 

 of eastern Asia and was introduced into this country about 1840. 

 It is a highly valuable plant in the southeastern part of the 

 United States. As it is adapted to practically all types of soil and 

 grazing conditions, its value is difficult to estimate. Although 

 it is an annual plant, it produces sufficient seed, even under 

 adverse conditions, to reseed itself, and hence it is for practical 

 purposes a perennial in permanency. Being a legume, it is rich 

 in protein. All classes of stock devour the plant with gusto and 

 do exceedingly well upon it. 



As it is valuable for soil improvement, and an excellent forage 

 and hay plant, its growth should be widely extended in prac- 

 tically all the pastures of the South, especially the cut-over pine 

 lands of the Coastal Plain. On the rich bottom lands of the 

 Gulf States it produces a large amount of good hay. 



In planting, the seed bed should be well prepared. The seed, 

 of which 15 pounds should be sown to the acre, may best be broad- 

 casted over the oat field, after which the seed of both should be 

 harrowed in lightly. The lespedeza does not make much growth 

 until the oats are harvested. A large proportion of the seed of 

 this plant is harvested in Louisiana and Mississippi. 



It is estimated that the grazing capacity of great stretches of 

 artificially established pastures in the South has been increased at 

 least 25 per cent by the use of lespedeza. Unlike many legumi- 

 nous plants, it does not cause animals to bloat. 



Good Germination and Purity of Seed Essential. — It is not 

 to be expected that good forage or other crops can be grown 



