334 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



The vetch in this experiment was spring vetch, sown May 

 15, at the rate of 18 pounds per acre, with about one-third 

 of its weight of rye to act as support for the vetch plants. 

 It will be seen that the increase in crop was very large. 

 This is no doubt chiefly to be ascribed to the fact that the 

 vetch stores up a large amount of nitrogen taken from the air. 



Concerning the value of vetch as fodder it seems unneces- 

 sary to go into details. It is similar in its composition to 

 clover and is relished highly by cows. It can easily be made 

 into hay, as the stems are comparatively fine. About one 

 bushel of seed per acre is commonly required. 



Peas. — The common field pea, though requiring a rather 

 longer season for development than most of the crops we are 

 considering, is nevertheless sometimes valuable as a catch- 

 crop. This crop is valuable as fodder and may be used 

 either green or made into hay. Curing is more difficult than 

 in the case of vetch on account of the coarser vines. Peas 

 do best upon medium or heavy soils. This crop is a nitrogeu 

 gatherer and is sufficiently hardy so that it may serve also 

 the purpose of nitrogen conservation. The pea is so well 

 known that further notice appears unnecessary. The quantity 

 of seed required is from one and one-half to two bushels per 

 acre. 



Lupines. — The cultivated lupines are all annual plants, 

 while our native wild lupine is perennial. Of the cultivated 

 lupines there are three distinct sorts, the white, the blue and 

 the yellow. Lupines do best upon the medium or lighter 

 soils. They are very deep rooted. They are nitrogen 

 gatherers but are killed by frosts and therefore cannot serve 

 as nitrogen conservers. Lupines have little fodder value. 

 They are not palatable to most classes of animals though 

 sheep may be fed a moderate amount of them. They make 

 a very quick growth, and are, because of this and the other 

 qualities named, among the most valuable crops for the im- 

 provement of the lighter soils. The table above given shows 

 how large an increase in the succeeding grain crop they are 

 capable of producing when cultivated under the right con- 

 ditions. About one bushel of seed per acre is sufficient. 



Serradetta. — This crop is much prized in some parts of 

 Europe, but while it must be admitted that it is a valuable 



