FIELD CEOPS. 35 



three feet, or on borders, or in groups as may suit your 

 fancy. There are different colors, and the flowers are 

 very showy. The white is best for opium. 



VETCH. ( Vicia saliva.} 



There are several varieties of this plant, either of them 

 more or less useful as forage or for pasture. The Eng- 

 lish Spring Vetch should be planted after frosts are over. 

 The English Winter Vetch should be planted in Au- 

 gust, September or October, The native or American 

 Vetch ( Vicia Americana) is by far the best for all pur- 

 poses, and should be planted in August, September and 

 October. This crop partakes somewhat of the nature of 

 the pea, and will enrich the land upon which it is planted. 

 It is also good for hay and good for pasture. If not pas- 

 tured too late in. the spring it will re-seed itself, and 

 thereby continue coming year after year. It is a good 

 substitute for clover and will grow luxuriantly on sandy 

 lands and in southern climates where clover will not suc- 

 ceed. Sow broadcast, one peck per acre, on well prepared 

 land, and cover half to one inch deep. It luxuriates on 

 the sandy soils of the sea coast also. 



HOP SEED. (Humulus Lupulus.) 



Plant in March or April, in cold frames in the most 

 careful manner, and in only very finely pulverized soil, 

 barely covered and slightly pressed down ; when plants are 

 sufficiently large, transplant to permanent ground. Cut- 

 tings are preferable to seeds. Plant say four by six feet 

 in checks ; arrange poles or trellis for them to climb on. 



PKICKLY COMFKEY. (Symphytum asperrimum.) 



Procure the roots during November, December, or 

 January ; prepare very rich land by plowing or forking 

 up thoroughly six to twelve inches deep. Plant a piece 

 of the root in four feet checks ; cover two or three inches 

 deep. The roots may be cut into pieces half an inch to 



