49 



Said not to be able to withstand severe frosts, especially if immature. The stems 

 contain a fiber, and the use of them in the manufacture of paper has been sug- 

 gested. For an acre 25 or 30 pounds of seed is required. 



1457. Oytisus scoparius. Common broom. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, December, 1898. (9 

 packages.) 



A leguminous shrub, recommended for sandy regions. It is evergreen, and the 

 young shoots are browsed by sheep and other animals in winter. In addition, it is 

 noted as a soiling crop, and the stalks have been successfully used in paper making. 

 About 15 pounds of seed is required per acre. 



1458. Genista tinctoria. Dyer's broom. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T, Swingle, December, 1898. (4 pack- 

 ages.) 



Formerly more extensively grown for a yellow coloring matter, which was extracted 

 from the young shoots and flower clusters. For this purpose Beaeda luteola has 

 largely replaced it. In addition, however, it yields a fiber which in Italy is spun 

 into thread. Ten pounds of seed is required to the acre. 



1459. Lathyrits cicer. Winter flat pea. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, December, 1898. (43 pack- 

 5.) "Crosse." "Gesse chiche." "Jaret." 



An annual forage plant, which may be sowed either in the fall or spring. Valued 

 in France and Germany as becoming available very early in the spring. Sheep and 

 cattle eat it with apparent relish, but it is considered too heating for horses. 

 Hardy and resistant to drought and can be grown on barren soils, whether calcare- 

 ous or sandy. The plants reach a height of about 2 feet, and it is customary to sow 

 with the seed a small quantity of rye or oats for them to climb upon. 



"Annual. Forage well liked by sheep and cows; too heating for horses. Seed sus- 

 pected and even very dangerous as food for mankind ; noxious also to most animals ; 

 hardy and succeeds very well in all kinds of land, even on bad lands, whether cal- 

 careous or siliceous. The usual time for seeding is the autumn, but it may also be 

 done from March to April. It enters sometimes into mixtures for forage plants to be 

 cut green. The custom is to mix with it a little rye and oats to support its almost 

 climbing stalks. It may also be used as green fertilizer to be plowed under." 

 (Vilmorin.) 



The seed weighs 58 to 62 pounds per bushel; 134 to 223 pounds is generally sown 

 per acre. 



1460. Lathyrits sylvestris. Wild everlasting pea. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, December, 1898. (4 pack- 

 ages.) 

 "Gesse sauvage." "Gesse vivace des bois." 



"For many years this plant has been untiringly recommended as a very lasting 

 and very productive forage plant, which only the scarcity of its seeds prevented from 

 entering into general use. Some years ago experiments with it were begun again in 

 Germany, and these are conducted with much conviction and ardor. The results pub- 

 lished are most encouraging, but the scarcity and the high price of the seed have not 

 decreased. This Lathyrus must be ranged, therefore, rather among the study plants 

 than among those in use and practically adopted." ( Vilmorin.) 



The seed weighs about 66 pounds per bushel. 



1461. Lathyrus sylvestris wagneri. Flat pea. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, December, 1898. (2 pack- 

 ages.) 

 "Gesse vivace des bois ameliore'e." (Common everlasting pea, improved.) 



"A perennial, native of eastern Europe and northern Asia, which has of recent 

 years been highly recommended as a forage plant on account of its drought-resisting 

 qualities. The plant looks much like the ornamental sweet pea, with many weak 

 leafy stems vhich interlace in great tangled masses. The handsome rose-colored 

 flowers are borne in loose clusters, and are followed by pods not unlike those of the 



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