4. The Icgmne must be allowed to attain nearly full development 

 if the gain in nitrogen is to be large, since during the early stages of its 

 growth the nitrogen which it requires comes in large measure from the 

 soil. 



There are two classes of cultivated vetches — 

 Vetches. spring and winter. The winter vetches are 



much more valuable than those belonging to the 

 other class. The h:;iry or sand vetch is the most valuable variety. 

 It is suited to medium loams, found especially valuable in orchards, 

 useful both in i^reventing erosion and in gathering and conserving 

 nitrogen and should usually be sown with winter rye. Broadcast 1 

 bushel of seed per acre. 



Suited to medium or fairly heavy loams, quite 

 Field peas. hardy and useful for nitrogen gathering, should 



be grown with a grain crop. Broadcast 1\ to 2 

 buphels of seed per acre. 



Best suited to medium loams, may be cultivated 

 Crimson clover. either as a winter annual or annual, not quite 

 hardy enough to make it reliable as a winter 

 annual in most parts of Massachusetts, though it occasionally goes 

 through the winter. Where it does this, it is one of the most valuable 

 cover and green manure crops. Sown in August it makes a thick mat 

 of leaves, serves to conserve nitrogen and prevent erosion, starts its 

 growth very early the following spring and can be turned under in 

 season to be followed by a crop which is to be harvested ; where hardy 

 particularly valuable in orchards. Seed broadcast about 15 to 20 

 pounds per acre. 



Suited to a wide variety of soils, but do best in 



Common and medium loams; if sown the latter part of July 



mammoth red or early in August make sufficient growth in 



clovers. autum to prevent erosion and conserve nitrogen, 



start into growth fairly early the following spring 



but will not mature in season to be followed by such crops as corn and 



potatoes. These clovers are very deep rooted, may often be very 



profitably used for combined forage and green manure, much used in 



orchards. Seed broadcast 8 to 10 pounds per acre. 



Distinct from the true clovers, like them in 

 Sweet clover. many respects but not nearly as valuable for 

 forage, suited to a wide variety of soils if drain- 

 age is perfect, particularly deep rooted, sown in July will prevent 

 erosion and conserve nitrogen, starts into growth extremely early the 

 following spring and will furnish a large bulk of vegetable matter which 

 may be turned under in season to be followed by crops to be planted 

 about the same time with corn. There are two varieties, white and 

 yellow; the white is the more valuable for green manuring. Seed broad- 

 cast about 20 pounds per acre. 



