198 The Principles of Fruit-growing. 



remarkable cover, growing knee-high in a dense mat, 

 and everywhere completely covering the ground. It 

 began to flower in September, but no seeds ripened 

 except upon a few poor spots. Upon light soils, 

 seeds would probably form freely, but the plant is 

 an annual, and is not likely to become a weed. 

 The roots do not extend deep. With the approach 

 of hard freezing weather, the stalks fell upon the 

 ground, where they now lie like a thin, even cover- 

 ing of old hay. The stems are soft, and can be 

 easily plowed under in spring, and will soon decom- 

 pose ; and they will not keep the soil wet too late 

 in spring, which is an important point upon clay 

 soils." 



The following year a second report was made 

 upon it: "The vetch is an annual leguminous plant, 

 which continues its growth long after frost, and 

 which mats down with the snow into a perfect, 

 carpet -like covering. In the spring, the vines are so 

 well decayed that the cover can be plowed under 

 easily. The vetch can be sown late in June or earlj- 

 in July in this state, and the plants will cover the 

 ground with a dense tangled mulch two feet deep 

 when winter sets in. Last year (1892), we sowed 

 the vetch June 16. This year we sowed one area 

 June 20, and another June 28. Both made an ideal 

 mulch, and the plants were green and still grow- 

 ing late in November. They produced no seeds, and 

 but very few flowers. About a bushel of seed 

 should be sown to the acre. The seed is large 

 and germinates readily, and is likely to catch at 



