396 Select Plants for Industrial Culture 



Vicia sepium, Rivinus. 



Europe, Western and Northern Asia. A perennial Vetch, enduring 

 an alpine clime; indigenous in Norway northward to lat. 69 40'. It 

 might with advantage be naturalized in forests and on high moun- 

 tains, but it can also readily be subjected to field-culture, the yield 

 being large and nutritious in regions with humid air, though the soil 

 might be poor. This vetch can be kept continually on the same 

 field for about fifteen years (Langethal). V. Pannonica, Jacquin, is 

 an allied but annual species. 



Vicia Sitchensis, Bongard. ( V. gigantea, Hooker. ) 



From California to Sitka. Dr. Asa Gray remarks, that the young 

 seeds of this tall vetch are eatable like green peas. 



Vicia sylvatica, Linn<$. 



The Wood- Vetch. Europe, Northern Asia. Indigenous in Nor- 

 way to lat. 67 56'. Perennial. Recommendable to culturists 

 settling in new forest-land; available also for growth in sub-alpine 

 copses. Pasture-animals have a predilection for this vetch; its yield 

 is large and very nourishing. In limestone-soil of forests V. 

 pisiformis and V. dumetorum, Linne, can best be selected for 

 introduction. 



Vicia tetrasperma, Koch. (Ervum tetraspermum, Linn.) 



The Lentil-Tare. Europe, Western Asia, North- Africa. Annual. 

 According to Langethal this species is preferable to the ordinary tare 

 for sandy soil. It is also less hard as fodder and very palatable. 

 Lime in the sand enlarges the yield. V. monantha and V. hirsuta, 

 Koch, serve nearly as well. 



Vigna lanceolata, Bentham. 



Tropical and sub-tropical Australia. Mr. P. O'Shanesy observes, 

 that this twiner produces, along with the ordinary cylindrical pods, 

 others underground from buried flowers, and these somewhat 

 resemble the fruit of Arachis. The plant might be rendered perhaps 

 available for culinary purposes. 



Vigna Sinensis, Endlicher.* (Dollchos Sinensis, Humph.) 



Tropical Asia and Africa. The cultivation of this twining annual 

 pulse-herb extends to Southern Europe, the United States and many 

 other countries with a temperate clime. One of the many ver- 

 naculars of this plant is the " Cow-Pea." The pods are remarkable 

 for their great length, and used like French-beans, dry as well as 

 preferentially also green. This plant bears plentifully even in 

 seasons of severe drought in Central Australia (Rev. H. Kempe). 

 V. Cat jang, V. unguiculata, V. sesquipedalis and V. melanophthalma 

 are varieties of this species. In fair soil the produce is about forty 

 fold. The Laubich-grains of Egypt are from a variety of this species 

 (Sir J. Hooker). This Vigna is satisfied with comparatively poor 

 soil and stands also dryness well. 



