506 MISCELLANEOUS FARM SUBJECTS 



at all increasing the quantity of grain. Practically identical result* 

 were obtained on four different plats where peas preceded wheat 

 The largest increase of straw was obtained where the peas had been 

 pastured off by hogs. No benefit was observed on one plat where 

 the whole pea crop was plowed under. 



At the present time Canada peas are perhaps more used than 

 any other legume in the citrus orchards in California. The effect 

 is very satisfactory so far as improving the tilth of the soil and its 

 ability to retain water are concerned. There are no accurate data 

 available, however, as to the effect on the crop of fruit, but it is gen- 

 erally believed to be very favorable. 



Vetches. Two vetches in particular are cultivated in the 

 United States, the common vetch, or tares, and the hairy, or Russian, 

 vetch. The former is much used as a winter crop for hay on the 

 Pacific coast and in the Southern States, being commonly sown with 

 oats, rye, or wheat. It is also extensively grown in the citrus or- 

 chards of California as a winter green-manure crop. In the North- 

 ern States it is very likely to winterkill. 



Hairy vetch is in a general way like common vetch, but de- 

 cidedly more resistant to cold. It will ordinarily survive the win- 

 ter in most parts of the United States and in Canada. In fact it is 

 more resistant to cold than any other annual legume grown. On 

 this account it is particularly valuable in the North. In the Con- 

 necticut Valley it has received much favor as a winter green-manure 

 and cover crop on tobacco lands. Where the winter temperature is 

 not cool enough to prevent growing, as in California, it has been 

 found that hairy vetch grows much more slowly in cool weather 

 than the common vetch, and the latter is therefore preferred. Hairy 

 vetch, however, grows very rapidly as the weather becomes warm. 

 Vetches are somewhat objectionable where small grains are used in 

 rotation, as they become somewhat weedy in grain fields. Except 

 for this, vetches are a very valuable crop and deserve much more ex- 

 tensive cultivation. 



Tangier Pea. This is a native of Northern Africa and has 

 been tested quite extensively in California during the past few years. 

 The plant in a general way resembles the garden sweet pea. In com- 

 parison with other legumes in California, the Tangier pea has given 

 the largest yields per acre. This pea is also characterized by its abil- 

 ity to form a very dense covering on the ground, so as to choke out 

 weeds almost perfectly. Indeed, no other legume tested on weedy 

 land in California at all equals the Tangier pea in this respect. No 

 experiments have yet been conducted to determine the effect of the 

 Tangier pea when used as a green-manure crop, but from the nu- 

 merous large tubercles found on the roots, there is little doubt that it 

 will prove exceedingly valuable in this respect. The hay is eaten 

 readily by horses, and it is believed that the crop will become im- 

 portant. 



Authorities Consulted. -F. Bs. 278, 245; La. E. S. B. 231; Ont 

 Agr. Dept. Bs. 164, 169; Wash. E. S. B. 32; Spec. B. Mass. Ag. Col.; 

 Univ. Wyo. B. 44; Univ. 111. B. 94; Del. Col. B. 60; N. C. E. S. B. 



