12 CIRCULAR 137, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
Crotalaria can be broadcast in corn at the last cultivation of the 
corn with very good results, and under average seasonal conditions 
in Florida when sown this late it will mature sufficient seed to re- 
seed itself each season. Many of the crotalaria plants are killed 
by the early cultivations, but a good stand is usually secured after 
the cultivation period of the corn is finished on account of the 
presence of hard seed which lies in the ground through the winter 
and early summer without germinating. 
CULTIVATION 
For crotalaria seeded broadcast or in close drills on prepared 
land a thorough preparation of the seed bed is advised, but no 
cultivation should be given subsequent to seeding. Seedings i in wide 
rows should be cultivated sufficiently to keep down weeds. 
HARVESTING FOR FORAGE 
For use as hay or for any similar purpose, crotalaria should be 
sown in thick stands close-drilled or broadcast. When grown from 
such seeding the crop can be cut with an ordinary mower and han- 
dled as other common hay crops. The stage of development at 
which the crop should be cut to insure the greatest feeding value has 
not been determined. Judging by experience with other legumes, 
cutting in full bloom probably is to be recommended when the forage 
is intended for cattle. 
In order to have plants in the best state of development for hay 
during the early fall when weather conditions in the South are usu- 
ally most favorable for haymaking, it is necessary to seed late. In 
Florida plantings should be made from the middle of June until 
July 1, in order to have Crotalaria striata ready for-hay the latter 
part of September or early in October. 
YIELD OF FORAGE 
At Gainesville, Fla., on sandy Norfolk soil, Crotalaria striata for 
a 3-year average yielded 2.89 tons of dry forage, while cowpeas 
yielded 1.1 tons, velvetbeans 0.85 of a ton, and beggarweed 0.62 of a 
ton. At Lake Alfred, Fla., a point farther south, C. striata for two 
seasons averaged 3. 69 tons, cowpeas 1.14 tons, velvetbeans 1.4 tons, 
and begearweed 2.03 tons. 
Crotalaria spectabilis at Columbia, S. C., in 1928, yielded 19,069 
pounds in green weight, compared with 16 4003 pounds for velvet- 
beans, 12,888 pounds for soybeans, and 8,/ 769 pounds for cowpeas. 
At MeN eill, Miss., in 1927, C. spectabilis averaged 19,095 pounds 
green weight 1 in experimental plots. 
Tables 5 and 6 give the results of yields at various places. 
