418 THE CLOVERS 



that it is usually not necessary to sow them again. Japan clover is sel- 

 dom cut for hay except on very rich land, as it is usually too low 

 growing and the hay crop not large. On rich land,, however, it will 

 cut as high as two tons to the acre. 



VELVET BEANS 



The Florida velvet bean is a native plant of India, where several 

 other species are found. It is a very large, strong-growing vine, 

 sometimes reaching a length of thirty to forty feet. It requires a 

 hot season and a long growing season of 200 days to mature. It is 

 adapted only to Florida and the Gulf Coast. 



The bean may be planted alone, when it forms a dense mass of 

 vines, but usually produces few seeds. To secure a seed crop it 

 should be supported on some upright plant, such as corn or sorghum. 

 When planted alone, one plant every five feet each way is sufficient 

 to cover the ground. It is most commonly grown with corn, how- 

 ever, with one plant about every five feet in the row. It is probably 

 a better practice to alternate rows of velvet bean with corn at the 

 rate of one row of velvet beans to three rows of corn. 



The plant is so large that it is not practical to harvest the forage 

 for hay. The best way to utilize is to turn the stock in and pasture 

 it off. 



FLORIDA BEGGAR WEED 



Florida beggar weed is a native of the West Indies, but has been 

 known in Florida since 1832. It is an erect plant, growing five to 

 ten feet high. The seeds are borne in jointed pods, covered with 

 short prickles, which break up at maturity and stick to anything 

 with which they come in contact. 



Florida beggar weed is adapted only to Florida and the Gulf 

 Coast. It is considered valuable as a soil renovator, due to its large 

 vigorous growth, but also makes an excellent hay if cut in bloom. 

 Two crops a year may be harvested. The seed is sown alone in the 

 spring at the rate of six to ten pounds per acre. It may also be sown 

 with a cultivated crop, such as corn, and after the corn is harvested 

 the beggar weed will develop a crop of either seed or forage. 



