FIELD EXPERIMENTS. 423 



The two foregoing stated analyses of Seiradella in difTerent 

 stages of growth (1883), conlirm the general observation 

 that the leguminous plants, like the clover, vetch, beans, 

 peas, etc., as a rule, furnish the most nutritious food at the 

 time of bloomini?. 



[D.] Horse Bean. 

 ( Vicia Faha. L. ) 



The plant came from Southern Russia, and was cultivated 

 at an early date, already, in Southern Europe. There are 

 several varieties, small and large, in use. The latter is at 

 present quite frequently raised in the gardens of England, 

 France and Germany, for family use ; whilst the smaller 

 variety, like the one on trial, is cultivated throughout 

 Europe for fodder. 



The ground beans are considered a valuable food for 

 horses, milch cows and swine. The softer parts of the 

 straw form a valuable addition to the daily diet of the ma- 

 jority of the fanii stock. Beans and straw arc highly 

 nitrogenous. The horse bean is considered one of the most 

 reliable leguminous plants upon a heavy loam or dry clayish 

 soil, in a temperate and moderately moist climate. Raised 

 with vetch and peas, it serves a twofold purpose, ?'. e., to 

 uphold the vines of these plants, and to increase their feed- 

 ing value as green fodder. They are planted quite early, in 

 rows from two to two and one-half feet distant, and two 

 inches apart in the drills. The plant reaches a height of 

 from two to three feet at the bealnninoi; of bloomino;, and 

 has a thick, hollow, somewhat angular, juicy stem, with suc- 

 culent leaves, which at the time of maturing turn black. 



The field upon the grounds of the station was seeded 

 down the 15th of May, 1884, in rows two and one-half feet 

 apart. It was kept clear from weeds by means of a culti- 

 vator. The crop was very satisfactory. It began bloom- 

 ing in the first week of July. The plants at that time con- 

 tained in one hundred parts : — 



Moisture at lOOo C, 87.72 parts. 



Vegetable Matter (dried), 12.28 " 



100.00 



