318 FIELD CROP PRODUCTION 



of the United States. Field peas do not do well in warm 

 climates, and are not usually profitable south of the soy 

 bean section. Any soil that will grow oats will also grow 

 field peas. They are, however, best adapted to clay 

 loams, well supplied with lime. While they grow well on 

 moist soils, wet soils are unfavorable to their growth. 

 They do not thrive on light, dry soils, and when grown 

 on very fertile soils an excessive growth of vine is pro- 

 duced, with a corresponding decrease in the yield of 

 grain. 



324. Uses. — The field pea is highly prized as a feed 

 for live stock. It may be used as hay, pasture, or for soil- 

 ing, and the grain may be fed to all kinds of live stock. 

 Usually the grain is ground and fed in combination with 

 other grains. A mixture of field peas with wheat bran or 

 wheat middlings makes a good feed for milch cows, growing 

 hogs and sheep, because of its high protein content. In 

 Canada, field peas are used by many stockmen during 

 the first half of the fattening period, and this is said to be 

 responsible for the superior quality of meat produced 

 there. When grown for the grain, the straw, if in good 

 condition, makes fair roughage for cattle and sheep. 

 Field peas are usually seeded with oats or other grains 

 when grown for hay, and on account of the high protein 

 content of the peas, together they make a forage of high 

 feeding value for all kinds of live stock. As a soiling crop, 

 for which purpose it is usually seeded with oats, it becomes 

 available early in the season, about the time pastures 

 are declining, and affords a highly nutritious and palatable 

 food. Field peas may be grown with oats for pasture, 

 and may be cropped off several times during the season 

 if sufficient time for new growth intervenes. As a green 

 manure crop, field peas are especially valuable, since they 



