OATS-AND-PEAS 183 



is in milk and the peas are forming pods ; at this 

 period, the largest amount of digestible matter 

 may be secured. Because of the rather slow 

 maturity of the crop, particularly if the weather is 

 favorable, a single seeding of oats-and-peas may 

 furnish supply for eight to ten days, providing 

 cutting begins a little earlier than this, or when 

 the oats are just headed out. 



When it is desirable to continue the feeding 

 longer, a second seeding is usually made about 

 ten days after the first. In ordinary seasons this 

 will be ready eight to ten days after the first 

 planting. A third seeding made eight or ten days 

 later than the second is likely to be ready for use 

 relatively earlier, however, owing to the more 

 rapid development of the crop as the hot and dry 

 weather advances. 



In recent years a plant-louse has made its 

 appearance in the eastern and southern coast 

 states, and has been a very serious pest, attacking 

 the peas and practically ruining the crop. Where 

 this pest is present, the later seedings should not be 

 made, as it attacks the plants at the end of June 

 or the first of July, when early seedings have 

 reached the cutting stage, and before later seed- 

 ings have reached full development. When 

 an abundance of fertilizer has been used, the 

 plants are better able to resist or outrun the 

 attacks of the insect. 



