98 THE HANDBOOK FOR PRACTICAL FARMERS 



gives a higher yield and generally produces a better hay. In 

 the south a number of crops may be cut. It may be broadcasted 

 or sown in rows. In the former case, twenty-five to thirty 

 pounds of seed per acre Avill be necessary, while if planted in 

 rows five or six j^ounds will suffice. 



The legumes. — This is a group of plants to Avhich peas, beans, 

 clovers and similar plants belong. It is an important group, 

 containing, besides the three mentioned, alfalfa and sweet clover, 

 coAvpeas and soy beans, vetches, Japan clover and many others. 

 The two principal characteristics of this group are: (1) Their 

 richness in protein. (2) Their ability to assimilate nitrogen 

 from the air with the aid of bacteria growing in the nodules 

 developed on their roots. 



The following table shows the superiority of hay made of 

 legumes : 



From Henry's Feeds and Feeding 



This high protein content makes their feeding value greater 

 for all kinds of livestock, and allows them to take the place of 

 high-priced concentrates to a considerable extent. More than 

 that alfalfa, and to a less extent clover, are very rich in lime 

 content, giving them an added value for young growing live- 

 stock and dairy animals. 



Legumes are the only plants that have the power of utilizing 

 the free nitrogen from the air. The exact amount they are able 

 to assimilate cannot be stated, for it varies with (1) complete- 

 ness of the inoculation, (2) condition of the soil, (3) amount of 

 nitrate already in the soil, (4) kind of legume. 



The amount of nitrogen taken from the air varies from noth- 

 ing, in cases where no inoculation has taken place, up to fifty 

 to two hundred pounds per acre in case of complete inoculation. 

 This is equivalent to applying from three hundred to twelve 

 hundred pounds of nitrate of soda per acre. 



Free nitrogen will be taken from the air only when the proper 



