3 



eight pounds per month. From seventy to ninety days will place 

 them in excellent market condition. On small farms movable fences 

 are a distinct advantage and reduce waste in feeding. The crop 

 may also be' ' hogged off " in a similar manner and an excellent quality 

 of bacon produced. Wherever corn is desirable in the animal 

 economy, peas will be found an excellent substitute. Silage may 

 also be made from the green vines by stacking them or putting them 

 into the silo. It may be fed all classes of stock. The mature crop 

 should be harvested before the seed is hard in the pod to lessen the 

 loss from shattering. The seed may be flailed or thrashed with an 

 ordinary grain thrasher, or by a pea huller, of which there are several 

 on the market. Trampling the seed out with horses or passing a 

 concrete roller back and forward over the vines has also proved 

 satisfactory. One ton of seed per acre would be considered a good 

 yield. The straw has considerable food value and will be readily 

 eaten by stock, particularly sheep. It should never be burned, as it 

 will add considerable humus to the soil if plowed under. A ton to 

 a ton and a half of straw per acre may be expected. 



COMMON VETCH 



Common vetch is adapted to the same general conditions of soil 

 and climate as the field pea. In different parts of the country it is 

 known by the following names : Smooth vetch, English vetch, Oregon 

 winter vetch, spring vetch and tares. It will grow on a variety of 

 soils but seems to be best adapted to well-drained rich sandy or 

 gravelly loams. Unlike most other legumes its lime requirement is 

 low. The seed bed should be well prepared but left firm. Go over 

 the land with a roller or subsurface packer so as to firm the soil and 

 then harrow again very lightly. Gypsum at the rate of 100 pounds 

 per acre has been found to increase* the yields of hay on some soils. 

 Fall planting is the general rule on the coast and valley sections 

 where the winter temperature keeps above 15 F. Where the sum- 

 mers are hot and dry it is useless to sow in the spring. 



Lack of inoculation may cause the crop to be a failure. In remote 

 districts or new regions where vetch has not been well established it 

 would be advisable to provide inoculation. Secure about five hun- 

 dred pounds of soil for each acre to be planted, from an old field 

 in which vetch has been successfully grown. Spread the soil evenly 

 over the surface, preferably on a cloudy day and have someone follow 

 with the harrow immediately as the legume bacteria are destroyed 

 by exposure to bright sunshine. For various reasons this method 

 cannot always be carried out. Reluctance on the part of the farmer 



