IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 351 



Vicia Faba, Linne.* 



The Straight Bean. Orient, particularly in the Caspian Sea. This 

 productive annual herb affords not only its seeds for table use, but 

 provides also a particularly fattening stable food. The seeds con- 

 tain about 33 per cent, starch. Y. Narbonensis (L.), from South 

 Europe and South- West Asia, is preferable for the table, because 

 its seeds contain less bitter principle, though they are smaller. 



Vicia peregrina, Linne. 



South Europe. Annual. In Italy preferred to the ordinary Tare 

 for sandy soil ; it recommends itself also for its close growth. 



Vicia sativa, Linne.* (V. angustifolia, Roth.) 



The ordinary Yetch or Tare. Europe, North Africa, North and 

 Middle Asia. One of the best fodder plants, but only of one or 

 two years' duration. Important also for green manure, and as a 

 companion of clovers. The allied Y. cordata (Wulfen) and Y. 

 globosa (Retzius) are similarly cultivated in Italy (Langethal). 

 Many of the other European and Asiatic species of Yicia are 

 deserving of our attention. 



Vicia sepium, Linne. 



Europe, West, and North Asia. Deserves attention as a perennial 

 Yetch, enduring an Alpine clime. It might with advantage be 

 naturalised in forests and on mountains, 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 Yetch 

 can be kept for about fifteen years continually on the same field 

 (Langethal). Y. Pannonica (Jacquin) is an allied but annual species. 



Vicia Sitchensis, Bongard. 



From California to Sitka. Asa Gray remarks that the young seeds 

 of this tall Yetch are eatable like green peas. 



Vicia sylvatica, Linne. 



Europe, North Asia. The Wood Yetch. Perennial. Recommend- 

 able to culturists settling in new forest land ; available also for 

 Alpine copses. Pasture animals have a predilection for this 

 Yetch ; its yield is large. In limestone soil of forests Y. pisiformis 

 and Y. Dumetorum (Linne) can best be selected for introduction. 



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



The Lentil Tare. Europe, West 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. Y. monantha and Y. hirsuta 

 (Koch) serve nearly as well. 



