266 FOBAGJS CROPS 



seven tons per acre. The average composition 

 is as follows: . 



One ton ^" average 



--^i- ^^^^ 



Per cent Lbs. Lbs. 



Water 75.10 ... ... 



Dry matter 24.90 498 3,486 



Ether extract 1.00 20 140 



Crude fiber 6.70 134 938 



Crude protein 4.00 80 560 



Ash 2.60 52 364 



Nitrogen-free extract . . 10.60 212 1,484 



The soybean is not so well adapted to pasture 

 as the cowpea, but it is quite as good for hay and 

 less difficult to cure. The crop is well w^orthy of 

 wider use. 



VELVET BEAN 



The velvet bean has attracted much attention 

 lately in the southern states. In Florida it has 

 been one of the most useful of the forage plants. 

 It grows well on light, sandy land, and the yield 

 is ordinarily larger than that of the cowpea. 



Under favorable conditions the vines reach a 

 length of twenty to thirty feet. The season of 

 growth is much longer, and for that reason the 

 seed cannot be matured except in the most south- 

 ern states. Experiments in the middle and east- 

 ern states show that it is not well adapted to 

 those sections, and does not make as satisfactory 

 crop for any purpose as the cowpea. It is used as 

 a green- manure and cover-crop in the South. 



