CHAPTER XX 

 MISCELLANEOUS LEGUMES 



493. Other Useful Legumes. In addition to the clovers 

 and alfalfa, there are a number of legumes which are grown 

 in a more or less limited way for forage or for their seeds, or 

 both. Among the plants which are grown under field condi- 

 tions for both seed and forage are the cowpea, soy bean, field 

 pea, and peanut, while the field bean is grown for the seeds 

 alone. In districts where canning factories are located, the 

 common garden pea is grown in large fields. Among the 

 plants which are grown for forage or for green manure are 

 the sweet clovers, bur clover, Japan clover, the vetches, and 

 the velvet bean. 



Of these legumes, some are fully as important in the dis- 

 tricts where they are grown as are alfalfa and red clover in 

 the regions to which they are adapted, and very largely take 

 the place of those standard forage plants. Thus, in the 

 South, the cowpea is the most important forage plant and 

 soil renovator. In some sections of the North a similar 

 place is held by the field pea. Japan clover largely takes 

 the place of white clover in southern pastures, while on the 

 sandy lands of Florida the velvet bean is the most important 

 forage and green manure plant. 



A number of other less important leguminous plants are 

 grown in a limited way in some portions of the country, but 

 they are not of enough importance to require extended dis- 

 cussion. Among these plants may be mentioned sainfoin, 

 Egyptian clover, beggar weed, trefoil, lupines, and horse 

 bean. 



