270 FORAGE CROPS 
too large seeding of oats prevents a large growth 
of the vetch. The plant is trailing in habit. If 
conditions are favorable, it will make a very much 
thicker growth than the Canada field pea, and pro- 
vide excellent forage, being very palatable and 
highly digestible when in the best stage for feed- 
ing. It requires a longer period for maturing, and 
this extends the time during which the forage 
may be used,—a very important advantage, par- 
ticularly in dry seasons. 
The composition of the oat-and-vetch forage 
does not differ greatly from that of the oats-and- 
peas. The crop may also be made into hay of an 
excellent quality, and it is readily cured. 
Hairy or winter vetch 
The sand, winter or hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) 
is another species that thrives on poor soils, and 
is useful as an early spring forage, withstanding 
the winter and growing in spring. Owing to its 
trailing habit, it should not be seeded alone 
(except as a green-manure or cover-crop), but 
with rye or wheat, preferably wheat for the cen- 
tral states, in August or September. It is desir- 
able to have the soil well prepared in order to 
encourage an early and rapid fall growth, as well 
as to ensure a large crop in spring. It should be 
seeded at the rate of about one-half to one bushel 
