198 The Principles of Fruit-growing. 
remarkable cover, growing knee-high in a dense mat, 
and everywhere completely covering the ground. It 
began to flower in September, but no seeds ripened 
except upon a few poor spots. Upon light soils, 
seeds would probably form freely, but the plant is 
an annual, and is not likely to become a weed. 
The roots do not extend deep. With the approach 
of hard freezing weather, the stalks fell upon the 
ground, where they now le like a thin, even cover- 
ing of old hay. The stems are soft, and can be 
easily plowed under in spring, and will soon decom- 
pose; and they will not keep the soil wet too late 
in spring, which is an important point upon clay 
soils.” 
The following year a second report was made 
upon it: “The vetch is an annual leguminous plant, 
which continues its growth long after frost, and 
which mats down with the snow into a_ perfect, 
earpet-like covering. In the spring, the vines are so 
well decayed that the cover can be plowed under 
easily. The vetech can be sown late in June or early 
in July in this state, and the plants will cover the 
ground with a dense tangled muleh two feet deep 
when winter sets in. Last year (1892), we sowed 
the vetch June 16. This year we sowed one area 
June 20, and another June 28. Both made an ideal 
mulch, and the plants were green and still grow- 
ing late in November. They produced no seeds, and 
but very few flowers. About a bushel of seed 
should le sown to the acre. The seed is large 
and germinates readily, and is likely to catch at 
