134 FIELD AND GARDEN PRODUCTS 



of the arid plains of eastern "Washington and Oregon, appearing in 

 early spring; it is much sought by stock. Beach Pea (Lathyrus 

 maritimus). A perennial legume growing on pebbly beaches from 

 Oregon to Alaska; it is greedily eaten by cattle. Beckwith's Clover 

 (Trifolium beckwithii). A native of the eastern Rocky Mountain 

 and Upper Missouri prairie regions; it is much relished by stock. 

 Bed Straw (Galmm). There are a number of these in New Mex- 

 ico; it is highly regarded as forage for sheep. Beggarweed (Desmo- 

 dium). There are various kinds of beggarweed; it is a valuable 

 forage plant, growing in rich woods from Canada to the Gulf. Big 

 Headed Rush (Juncus nodosus). This rush is common in boggy 

 places in the prairie region and is of some value as early pasturage. 

 Birdsfoot Clover (Lotus corniculatus) . A low, prostrate clover that 

 will grow on the lightest and most sterile soils ; cattle and sheep are 

 fond of it ; because of its deep roots it withstands drought and is an 

 excellent clover to sow in mixtures with taller growing species in 

 dry pastures. Beggarweed (Desmodium tortuosum). An annual 

 leguminous plant in Florida and the Gulf States. This is un- 

 doubtedly one of the very best forage plants for light, sandy soils. 

 The stems are tall, and if grown at considerable intervals are woody, 

 but where seed is scattered thickly over the ground the entire plant 

 can be converted into hay or silage. Florida beggarweed springs 

 up naturally in fields wherever the ground has been disturbed, about 

 the middle of June, and matures a crop in seventy to eighty days. 

 In the rich, moist, sandy fields along the Gulf of Mexico it grows 

 from 6 to 10 feet high. Horses, cattle, and mules are very fond of 

 it. According to analyses of beggarweed made at the Florida Ex- 

 periment Station, 100 pounds of hay consisting of the upper por- 

 tion of the plant, mainly leaves and branches, contained, before ma- 

 turity, 19.42 pounds ol crude protein and 65 pounds of carbohy- 

 drates ; and when seed was ripening, 15.75 pounds of crude protein 

 and 69.15 pounds of carbohydrates. Analyses at the Department 

 of Agriculture gave as high as 21 per cent of crude protein before 

 flowering. Digestion experiments have not been made, but the 

 hay is readily eaten by horses, mules, and cattle, and seems to be 

 relished by them. Bird Vetch (Vicia cracca). Common in the bor- 

 ders of thickets from New England to the upper prairie region. 

 The species is cultivated for fodder and is recommended for culti- 

 vation in wet meadows. In the shade it yields a return three times 

 larger than in open places. Bitter Cassava (Manihot utilissima). 

 One of the best-known plants in tropical agriculture. There are 

 thirty or more cultivated varieties of the bitter cassava in Brazil. 

 The roots of some varieties are harmless ; others contain the volatile 

 prussic acid, a deadly poison. This is removed by heating or cook- 

 ing. The yellowish roots do not boil soft like the reddish roots of 

 M. aipi. The roots are often very large (2 to 3 feet long), weighing 

 sometimes 100 pounds or more. Cassava is the source of tapioca, 

 which is manufactured by heating the moist starch. It might well 

 be introduced into Florida. Bitter Weed (Senecio triangularis) . 

 Abundant in meadows and along streams in Oregon ; sheep are very 



