252 



FARM CROPS 



cereal crops. They grow splendidly on overturned 

 sod land. Winter vetch may be made to follow a 

 crop that has been harvested in the summer or fall. 

 After the vetch crop has been harvested the follow- 

 ing spring the summer crop should succeed it. 



Vetches flourish best 

 in moist clay loam soils 

 of free working texture. 

 They will grow most 

 satisfactorily in rich 

 soils and will do as well 

 in poor soils as an ordi- 

 nary crop. The spring 

 vetch should be sown for 

 forage as early as the 

 ground is dry enough to 

 be worked without in- 

 jury. The winter vetch 

 ought to be sown long 

 before winter to enable 

 it to become firmly es- 

 tablished that it may 

 the better withstand the 

 rigors of winter. There 

 should be considerable 

 moisture in the soil to 

 sprout the seed, otherwise it will lay unsprouted in 

 the ground. The seed may be broadcasted, but is 

 better sown with a grain drill either when sown 

 alone or along with other seeds. It should be buried 

 about as deeply as cereals. The hay of the common 

 vetch is about as nutritious as clover and is relished 

 even more. On account of the high value of the 

 seed it is never fed to live stock, although it is ex- 

 cellent food. 



HAIRY VETCH 

 Known also as sand vetch. 

 It is a legume and a great soil 

 improver. It does well with 

 wheat, rye or oats which fur- 

 nish support for the vines and 

 keep the forage off the ground. 

 It may be used for green for- 

 age, for hay, for pasture, or it 

 may be turned under for green 

 manure. 



