AND OTHER FORAGE PLANTS. 9 



ASTRAGALUS. Milk Vetch. 



Of these bean-like plants we have five or six species, two of 

 v hich deserve mention. The Tennessee milk vetch and the Caro- 

 lina milk vetch furnish considerable food for cattle and might be 

 improved by cultivation. 



ARACHIS. Pea Nut, Ground Pea, Finder. 



A. HYPOG^EA. This species from South America and the Af- 

 rican Gouva or Goober are every where known and much esteem- 

 ed for the large seeds and the bland oil made from them. But 

 the stems and leaves making an excellent hay, are too often 

 left to; decay in the fields. The fodder made from these is very 

 nutritious, valuable and much relished by animals. The seeds 

 are admirable for hogs and other live stock. 



II. THE VETCH TRIBE. 

 I 



Pods not jointed, two valved ; the thick fleshy cotyledons re- 

 main under ground in germination; climbing vines; the petiole 

 of the abruptly pinnate leaves terminated by a tendril. 



PISUM. Pea. 



P. SATIVUM. Common Pea, English Pea, Garden Pea. 

 This species, in its many varieties and uses is so well and univer- 

 sally known that it needs only to be named here. 



LATHYRUS. Vetchling. 



1. L. VENOSUS, and 2. L. MYRTIFOLIUS, native species are 

 of little value; and L. ODORATUS, Sweet Pea and L. LATIFO- 

 LIUS, Everlasting Pea are from Europe and planted only for 

 ornament. 



VICIA. Vetch. 



1. V. SATIVA. Common Vetch or Tare is much cultivated 

 in Europe for fodder, and to a limited extent in this country 

 for the same purpose. There are two varieties, winter and spring. 

 The winter variety is sometimes planted with turnips and with 

 oats, barley and rye for winter pasture or soiling. My expe- 

 rience with it is too limited to commend it highly for cultiva- 

 tion in this country where other things perhaps more profitable 

 and hardier are in season at the same time with the tares. As 

 a variety it may be cultivated to a small extent as the product is 

 very valuable if not abundant. 



V. FABA. Bean, Windsor or Horse Bean. This is well 

 known every where and in some regions cultivated for the edi- 



