January 1904.] Sand-binding Grasses. 141 



food, it is especially desirable to introduce those plants which are 

 known to be nitrogen gatherers. The legume family, including such 

 common and well-known plants as alfalfa and the clovers, represent 

 this family ; but neither alfalfa nor the common clovers will make a 

 "catch" in very loose, sandy ground. The sand vetch ( Vicia villosa) 

 is a biennial legume which cannot be too highly praised as a nitrogen 

 gatherer. It does well on poor, sandy soils, forms a cover of thick,' 

 matted stems a foot or so high, and self -seeds liberally. It is recom- 

 mended that sand vetch be sown next spring, mixed with rye, at the 

 rate of one bushel to the acre. The price varies according to the 

 market, but fifteen cents per pound may be taken as a fair average 

 price. 



If the vetch and rye mixture be started first, it may then be possi- 

 ble to sow Canada blue-grass broadcast, in the fall. 



