182 THE VETCH CEOP. 



spread, and the ground generally left in a far better state 

 of preparation for the succeeding crop, which advantages 

 very much more than compensate for the small additional 

 amount of labour involved. If, however, they be con- 

 sumed on the field as they stand, the form of hurdle 

 described and figured at p. 229, vol. i., will be found very 

 suitable for the purpose, and a great improvement upon 

 the ordinary method of treating them. 



When cut for hay, vetches require to be turned frequently 

 over in the swathe, and left lying as loose and hollow as 

 possible, that the sun and air may have good access to them, 

 and evaporate their surplus moisture so as to render them 

 fit for stacking. The practice already recommended (p. 

 109), of mixing layers of straw with them in the rick, is 

 equally applicable here. It enables the crop to be carried 

 a little earlier, and thus reduces the risk of injury on the 

 ground, preserves its organic constituents in a more moist 

 and assimilable condition, and at the same time secures it 

 from the chance of fermenting and heating in the rick, 

 which it is so difficult to guard against in crops of the same 

 succulent character. If the hay be subsequently cut up into 

 chaff, the straw present greatly assists the operation ; and 

 if supplied whole in the racks, the straw has so imbibed 

 the juices and general flavour of the dried vetches, as to 

 render it equally palatable to the cattle, by which it is 

 readily consumed. The early crop (winter sown) is gene- 

 rally cleared off by the middle or end of June, when the 

 land may be ploughed up in good time for turnips, or any 

 other cruciferous fallow crop. If the vetches have been 

 fed off on the land, no other manuring will be required ; 

 if they have been cut and carted away for "soiling/' some 

 artificial manure guano or superphosphate, for instance- 

 should be applied at the time of sowing, in preference to 

 farmyard dung, as it is of importance at this season to stir 

 the soil as little as possible, so that its natural moisture may 



