45 



Viciii Mlh'd (Vetch ; spring vetch ; tares). An annual trailing 

 herb 12 to 20 inches high, with four to five angled stems, simple or 

 branched from the base. The leaflets are broadest above the middle, 

 blunt or notched at the end, and tipped with an abrupt point ; they 

 number usually from 10 to 14. The rather large purple flowers are 

 borne one or two together at the base of a leaf. The plant is soft- 

 hairy all over. This native of Europe and western Asia has been 

 cultivated for upwards of twenty centuries, and is considered one of 

 the best soiling crops in cool, moist climates. In the United States 

 they have only proved adaptable to cultivation in the New England 

 States and Canada. Vetches are sown in April or May, at the rate 

 of two bushels of seed per acre, and the crop is ready to crop by the 

 middle of June or the first of July. Where they can be grown, they 

 are very good summer feed for horses, but must not be fed earlier 

 than full bloom, on account of their diuretic action. They are good 

 for soiling sheep and milch cows, and are said to very materially 

 increase the flow of milk. Because of the high price asked for seed, 

 and the extreme susceptibility of vetches to dry, hot weather, their 

 cultivation is not recommended. A greater and surer return can 

 always be had from red clover. 



Vicia svlmtica (Wood vetch). A perennial indigenous to Europe 

 and northern Asia. It has been grown successfully as far north as 

 67 north latitude and is available for alpine or subalpine pastures. 

 The yeld of forage is large and it is readily eaten by all kinds of 

 stock. 



Viciii tctmspcnna (Lentil vetch ; lentil tare). An old world annual 

 which, according to Langethel, is preferable to the ordinary vetch for 

 sandy soil. It also makes a better and more palatable forage. It is 

 suited to cultivation in the southern States, especially upon light, 

 calcareous soils. 



Vicid I'illosn (Hairy vetch ; sand vetch ; Russian vetch. Fig. 

 39). An annual, native to western Asia, which has been cultivated 

 for about 50 years. Hairy vetch is an excellent soiling crop, one of 

 the best that has been introduced into the United States, although, 

 on account of the high price of the seed and the large amount which 

 must be sown per acre, it has rot been widely cultivated. The seed 

 should be sown at the rate of a bushel and a half per acre, from the 

 part of April to the middle of May for summer forage, or from the 

 middle of August to the middle of September for winter forage. The 

 nutritive value of the hay is very high, analyses by Coudon in 1890 

 showing 23 per cent, of crude portein. The yield varies from i^ to 

 4 tons per acre, according to the fertility of the soil. It has been 

 grown successfuly in all parts of the country and his proved to be 

 hardy in the moist coastal regions of Washington, the dry prairies 

 of South Dakota, and the rich loamy soils along the Gulf. It is deserv- 

 ing of wider cultivation in all parts of the United States. 



Vigna catjang (Cowpea ; southern cowpea ; pea ; field pea ; 

 stock pea ; cherry bean ; Chinese vetch). A leguminous annual of 



