THE ARTIFICIAL GRASSES DESCRIBED 39 



ing a single line a mile in length, 3 lb. to 4 lb. of seed will be sufficient. The Double- 

 Flowered Whin, a variety of the above, which is propagated by cuttings, has been recom- 

 mended for hedges, where it is desirable to prevent the spreading of whin seed in the 

 neighbouring ground. 



18, Vioia sativa (^Common Tare, or Vetch). — Fr. Vesce commune; Ger. Wicke. — 

 Flowers generally in pairs, without footstalks, and of a red or purplish colour; leaflets 

 oblong, terminating abruptly, with a small point in the middle ; pods more or less downy 

 or hairy ; root annual. In a wild state Vida sativa is found (but in most parts rather 

 scarce) growing by hedges, road-sides, and in stony places, where not very dry, as in 

 rubbish heaps and about quarries. The wild variety, however differs from those generally 

 cultivated, in being of much dwarfer, and of a more slender habit of growth, and also 

 having much smoother leaves and stalks. Those sorts in general cultivation are the Com- 

 mon or Summer Tare, and the Winter Tare, which resemble one another- in general 

 appearance, but the latter variety is distinguished by being usually of smaller growth, and 

 its pods being more smooth and cylindrical, containing more seeds, and in its general 

 habit more like the wild variety. The Common or Summer Tare presents in the appear- 

 ance of its seeds much diversity of size, arising from soil and culture. The larger sizes are 

 better known in many places by the name of Vetches, whilst the smaller samples are 

 denominated Tares, and are either sown as green food for cattle, or for their ripe seed. 

 In the former case they are generally sown with oats or barley, and so as to come in for 

 use between the first or second crops of grass. The practice of sowing one or other of the 

 cereal grasses (oats or barley) amongst Tares is strongly recommended, not only as it in- 

 sures a greater bulk of produce from the stems of the grains rising above the Tares, but 

 they also serve to prevent them lying on the ground, and so becoming injured in damp 

 weather ; cattle are also fonder of the fodder in a mixed than in an unmixed state. 

 When sown for their ripe seed, the Summer Tare is generally mixed with beans, or peas 

 and beans, in the proportion of about a fourth part in bulk, or less, of the whole quantity 

 of seed per acre. It has been ascertained that Winter Tares, repeatedly sown in spring, 

 acquire more of the tender nature peculiar to the summer sort ; therefore it is essential for 

 cultivators to sow such seed as is not only the produce of the true Winter Tare, but of it 

 sown in autumn. When Winter Tares are cultivated for their seeds, the general practice 

 has been to sow them alone ; it may, however, be more advisable to sow them in mixture 

 with Winter Beans, — the seeds being easily separated from the beans, when thrashed, by 

 means of a proper sized riddle. 



