330 DRY LAND FARMING 



Harvesting for seed. The conditions in the semi- 

 arid west would seem to be especially favorable for 

 growing seed, for the same reasons that they favor the 

 production of good seed of grains and other seed-produc- 

 ing products. If seed can be produced with superior ger- 

 minating power, it will mean much for the future of this 

 plant. Information regarding the methods of handling 

 the seed crop under dry land conditions is wholly want- 

 ing, and the same may be said regarding the yields of the 

 seed. But the method followed when harvesting alfalfa 

 seed should answer also for sainfoin (see p. 319). As the 

 seed shatters very easily, the seed crop must be handled 

 with much care. 



GROWING VETCHES 



The exact place that the vetch will occupy in the 

 production of the semi-arid regions 'cannot be fore- 

 casted with precision at the present time. It would seem 

 probable that it is only in areas that are favored with 

 a considerable amount of moisture and temperatures 

 that are reasonably cool, that it will grow in best form. 

 The classes of vetch that are commonly grown include 

 the common vetch and the sand vetch, frequently known 

 as the hairy vetch. The latter is the more hardy of the 

 two, not only in its power to endure cold but also to en- 

 dure drought and hard conditions generally. 



The common vetch is chiefly grown for hay, but 

 may be grown for pasture also. The sand vetch is fre- 

 quently grown for pasture, but may also be grown for 

 hay. In the drier and hotter regions of the semi-arid 

 west, the vetch will not fill an important place in the 

 economy of production. 



Soils. The common vetch will grow well on any 

 kind of soil that is possessed of a fairly abundant supply 

 of plant food, and that has in it a reasonable amount of 

 friability. It will grow on stiff clay soils, but not nearly 



