278 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION 



machine of this kind and no grain-thrashing outfit is available, 

 the farmer can thrash seed for his own use with a flail or by 

 treading out the peas with horses. After the peas are flailed or 

 tramped out with horses, considerable work is required to sepa- 

 rate "the seed from the trash, so that this becomes in the end a 

 rather expensive method of thrashing. A number of seedsmen 

 make a practice of hand picking their better grades of peas, for 

 which grades they charge an advanced price. A simple and in- 

 expensive machine devised to carry the peas on a broad canvas 

 belt slowly before the operator greatly facilitates this process 

 and lessens the labor and cost of picking. The belt is moved by 

 means of a tread similar to that on the sewing machine. 



Pasturing Field Peas. 



It is a common practice in some localities to harvest the crop 

 by pasturing with hogs or sheep. This is done more largely in 

 the San Luis Valley of Colorado than in any other part of the 

 United States. There is no doubt, however, that the crop can be 

 fully as well utilized this way in other Western States in locali- 

 ties which are near large sheep ranges. When intended for pas- 

 ture, the field pea is sown alone or with "but little grain, as it is 

 not necessary in such cases that it be supported by some more 

 erect-growing crop. Animals pasturing on field peas should be 

 confined to one portion of the field by means of movable fences, 

 or else a herder should be employed for this purpose. If sheep 

 or hogs are allowed to roam about over the entire field, they 

 waste a great deal of the crop by wandering around aimlessly 

 as soon as their hunger has been satisfied. The animals should 

 not be turned into the field until the seed becomes hard. Lambs 

 will fatten on field-pea pasture in from 70 to 90 days, and a good 

 crop will usually fatten from 10 to 15 lambs per acre, each ani- 

 mal gaining about 8 pounds a month. Hogs in a thrifty condi- 

 tion will fatten in from 60 to 90 days, and if not obliged to 

 gather their food over too large an acreage will make an aver- 

 age daily gain of i pound. Alfalfa or sweet-clover pasture used 

 in connection with field peas noticeably increases the rapidity of 

 gain. 



