418° 



BOAKD OF AGRICULTURE. 



almost impenetrable mass of foliage, two feet high, and so very dense 

 that it destroys all other vegetation, even the thistle, ragweed, and other 

 »noxious plants. When well cured these vinos are simply invaluable for 

 hay, and worth, as ascertained by actual experiments, 83 to 50 per cent, 

 more than timothy. The only difBcuIty in making them the leading 

 crop for hay is that it takes three days to cure them. Cattle and horses 

 prefer such hay to the best of herds-grass, and even to corn. Pea vines 

 are the best fertilizer wo can use, decoml>osiug very rapidly. I have 

 frequently cut off the vines before they began to run (Jul}' 1), and by 

 August the roots would throw out new vines two feet long. The seed 

 sold in May for 75 cents per bushel." 



The experimental plats were seeded down towards the 

 latter part of May, and produced a handsonre, dense foliaceous 

 growth, about eighteen inches high, at the beginning of August 

 when the samples for analysis were collected. 



The early frost in September injured the crop. The j)lant 

 apparently deserves the importance claimed for it in the above 

 stated report. Its cultivation has proved a success in New 

 Jersey. The only objection which might bo raised against 

 its introduction consists in the circumstance that matured 

 seeds cannot be relied on in our section of the country. 



As a green fodder it compares well with clover, and most 

 likely would produce a valuable ensilage. 



COW PEA. 

 Vauiety : WnipPOOuwiLL. 



[From Experimental Plats of Station; collected Aug. 1, 18S3.] 



