59 



branched from the base. The leaflets are broadest above the middle, blunt or 

 notched at the end, and tipped with an abrupt point; they number usually from 10 

 to 14. The rather large purple flowers are borne 1 or 2 together at the base of the 

 leaf. The plant is soft-hairy all over. This native of Europe and Western Asia has 

 been cultivated for upward of twenty centuries, and is considered one of the best 

 soiling crops in cool, moist climates. In the United States it has only proved adapt- 

 able to cultivation in the New England States and Canada. Vetches are sown in 

 April or May, at the rate of 2 bushels of seed per acre, and the crop is ready to cut 

 by the middle of June or the first of July. Where they can be grown, they are a 

 very good summer feed for horses, but must not be fed earlier than full bloom, on 

 account of their diuretic action. They are good for soiling sheep and milch cows, 

 and are said to very materially increase the flow of milk. Because of the high price 

 asked for seed, and the extreme susceptibility of vetches to dry hot weather, their 

 cultivation is not recommended. A greater and surer return can always be had 

 from red clover." (Jared G. Smith.) 



"Annual. Excellent and abundant green forage, to be employed either alone or 

 mixed with various other plants. To be sown with a little barley or oats for sup- 

 port when the seed is well harrowed in, from March to July. The vetch prefers land 

 of quite good quality, a little heavy and moist, though wholesome, to lands too 

 light or too compact and humid." ( Vilmorin.) 



The seed weighs 62 pounds per bushel ; 186 pounds is sown per acre. 



1505. Yicia sativa. Vetch. 



From France. Eeceived through Mr. W. T. Swingle, December, 1898. "Vesce 

 de printemps de Bretagne" (Brittany spring vetch). 



1506. Vicia sativa. Vetch. 



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

 ages.) 



Variety "hyemalis" (winter). 



"A variety of the preceding; requires wholesome land; maybe sown from Sep- 

 tember to the middle of November, either alone or mixed with barley, rye, or win- 

 ter oats; it forms the basis for mixtures of green forage; to be sown in autumn 

 for spring cutting." ( Vilmorin.) 



The seed weighs 62 pounds per bushel, and 186 pounds is sown per acre. 



1507. Vicia sativa. Vetch. 



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

 ages.) 



"Vesce blanche" (white vetch). 



"Annual; not so high as the common vetch; earlier, hardy, cultivated more 

 especially for its seed, which is of a white or whitish color, and is used in some 

 localities for human food. This variety appears to have merit as a forage plant. 

 Flower violet." 



The seed weighs about 62 pounds per bushel ; 186 pounds is sown per acre. 



1508. Yicia macro carp a. Vetch. 



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

 ages.) 



"Vesce a gros fruit" (large-fruited vetch). 



"Annual; distinguished from the common winter vetch by its larger foliage, 

 closer and more numerous leaflets, and especially by its pods, which, when green, 

 are very large, cylindrical, swollen, thick, fleshy, attaining the size of a small fin- 

 ger, and resembling those of a small potage pea. The seed is also very large. 



This variety, originally from Algeria, is much preferred by the Arabs, especially 

 at the time when the pods, still green and succulent, have attained their full devel- 

 opment. To obtain good results with it, the sowing in the South and in warmer 

 climates should be done in the autumn rather than in the spring; even in the North it 

 will be well to sow in the autumn or at the close of winter, very early, in January or 

 February at latest, without which the result may leave much to be desired. In con- 

 clusion, this excellent variety appears to have more interest for the southwestern or 

 southern parts of France than for the climate of Paris." ( Vilmorin.) 



The seed weighs 62 pounds per bushel; 160 to 200 pounds is sown per acre. 



