JAPAN CLOVER 179 



JAPAN CLOVER, or Lespedeza, is grown throughout the 

 southern states from Texas eastward. It is said to have been exten- 

 sively introduced as packing material from Japan. The leaves and 

 blossoms are finer than alfalfa and the growth is seldom over twelve 

 inches high, except on very rich soil. Throughout its district it 



FIG. 127. Vetch plants are vine-like and should be grown with oats or other crops which 

 will support them. (Produciive Farm Crops.) 



runs wild and is of great benefit to permanent pastures. It is sel- 

 dom cut for hay because of the light yield, but when cropped fre- 

 quently by stock the growth is rapid and the yield per acre is 

 much larger. Although it is classed as an annual plant, it reseeds 

 itself and spreads rapidly. It is helpful to the soil, but is not much 

 used as a green manure because of the light growth. 



