MISCELLANEOUS PLANTS. 245 



those which border on the Gulf of Mexico. But 

 present indications would seem to point to the con- 

 clusion that it is not likely to be extensively grown 

 much further north than the areas named, since it 

 requires a comparatively long season to mature its 

 growth. 



The velvet bean is of a trailing habit of growth. 

 The vines run out from the hills in every direction 

 and to the distance of ten to twenty feet. It com- 

 mences to fruit near the hill, and thence along 

 the whole length of the vine at intervals. The 

 pods appear in clusters and they contain each 

 from three to five beans. They are thick and 

 leathery and of a brown color. The surface of 

 the pod is velvety in character, hence the name given 

 to the plant. 



The velvet bean has highest adaptation for 

 sandy soils, and on these its power to grow is so 

 marked that it will push ahead where rye will grow 

 but feebly. Since it requires a long season for per- 

 fecting its growth, it should be planted reasonably 

 early in the spring. Much has yet to be learned 

 about the best methods of growing it, but some 

 experimenters favor planting in hills in squares four 

 feet distant. Other growers recommend planting at 

 a greater distance. From three to five seeds are 

 sufficient for a hill. Careful cultivation should then 

 be given in due time and this ought to be continued 

 as long as the work can be done without injury to 

 the extending vines. 



It is claimed that stock eat the velvet bean with 

 avidity when green or cured and that it makes 

 a valuable hay. But these claims should be re- 

 ceived with some reserve until they have been 



