486 FORAGE PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE 



OTHER LEGUMES 



594. Fenugreek ( Trigonella fcenum-grcecum) is a native 

 of the Mediterranean region of Europe, but extends to 

 central Asia and north Africa. As a cultivated crop it 

 is mainly grown in Turkey and India, and harvested prin- 

 cipally for the seeds, but in India the very young plants 

 are also used as a condiment. The seeds have a peculiar 

 characteristic odor and possess definite medicinal qualities. 

 Large quantities are imported into the United States to 

 use in " condition powders " for horses. 



Fenugreek is an erect plant with usually several stems 

 from the same root. The leaves are clover-like, but the 

 pods are long and pointed. The plant is remarkably free 

 from insect enemies and diseases. 



Fenugreek has thus far been found a useful plant in the 

 United States only in California, where in Ventura and 

 Orange counties it is now largely used as an orchard green- 

 manure crop. The recognition of its value for this 

 purpose dates back to 1903, when it was first distributed 

 by the California Experiment Station. It is best adapted 

 to the region near the seacoast, but has succeeded in all 

 the citrus districts of the state. 



The yield of green matter to an acre compares favorably 

 with other legumes used for the purpose and the seed cost 

 for an acre is very low. At Santa Paula, California, the 

 green weight of fenugreek to an acre was estimated to be 

 11,745 pounds and common vetch 19,140 pounds; in the 

 San Joaquin valley a yield of 15,518 pounds green fenu- 

 greek to an acre is recorded. 



Fenugreek prefers loam soils but is not very exacting. 

 In California the seed is sown either broadcast or drilled, 

 using 30 pounds to the acre, if for a green-manure crop. 



