180 THE VETCH CROP. 



should be determined by the number of stock kept, and of 

 days or weeks it is intended to furnish the supply of food. 



About 2 bushels of seed are generally allowed to the acre 

 for each sowing, as it is desirable to sow the winter lot 

 pretty thick, in order to compensate for any injuries the 

 plants may sustain during the winter. It is very rare 

 indeed to see vetches sown broadcast ; the ordinary drill 

 of the farm is suitable for the purpose; and the rows 

 should not be less than 12 inches apart. When the peren- 

 nial species are sown, it is recommended to drill them at 

 wider distances, so that the ground may be worked by 

 the horse-hoe or " cultivator" between the rows some time 

 during the winter season. For winter sowing it is advis- 

 able to deposit the seed deeper than in the spring; for 

 this latter, from ^ inch to 1 inch below the surface is 

 quite sufficient. With the common vetches it is desirable 

 always to mix and sow a proportion of grain of some 

 sort ; for the winter variety, either wheat or rye may be 

 used; for the summer variety, oats, being stouter and 

 more herbaceous in their growth, are perhaps preferable 

 to either of the others. The main object of this practice 

 is to furnish supports to which the vetches can attach 

 themselves, the erect growth of the one counteracting the 

 trailing tendency of the other, and thus, by keeping them 

 off the ground, preserving them from the injury they 

 would otherwise sustain. 



But little can be done for the crop during its growth, 

 beyond perhaps one hoeing, as if the land be in good 

 condition, and the plants get a good start, they speedily 

 cover the ground between the rows, and thus keep 

 down the weeds. For fooot purposes the vetch attains 

 its maximum value as soon as the seed-pod is formed ; 

 therefore, if the crop were intended to be consumed 

 all at one time, it would be advantageous to wait 

 until it had arrived at that period of its growth before 

 commencing its consumption. This condition only can 



