64 | RANGE IMPROVEMENT IN CENTRAL TEXAS. 
Sutua (Hedysarum coronarium). 
This is another of the perennial legumes that is well worth the 
consideration of central Texas stockmen and farmers. It has been 
extensively cultivated in southern Italy, where it is a native, upward 
of two hundred and fifty years, and was introduced into this country 
butafew years ago. Seeds received from the Division of Agrostology 
were sown in the station garden May 4, 1899, on the side of a dry, 
gravelly hill. The stand secured was satisfactory, and by July 15 
the plants were 6 to 12 inches high, and the roots had grown down 
into the ground to corresponding depths. About that time, as the 
result of the very severe drought of that year, the plants began to 
give way, and by September were apparently dead. October 26 the 
heavy autumn rains began and they revived at once, and by November 
10 a new growth of plants 3 to 6 inches high had been made. They 
continued to grow until December, and in January, 1900, the crowns 
of the roots were still green. In February they gave way as the 
result of the heavy frosts. The plant growth was vigorous, and late 
in the season the plants, which were from 18 to 24 and in a few 
instances 30 inches high, were covered with a rich crimson flower that 
was showy and beautiful. No seeds matured, however. As to its 
feeding qualities, it compares favorably with the best of the clovers 
and alfalfas and, in central Texas, produces satisfactory crops. 
Vetvet Bean (AMucuna utilis). 
This legume is attracting a great deal of attention, especially in the 
extreme Southern States, where the soil and climate seem to be spe- 
cially favorable to its development. In central Texas it is a valuable 
forage plant, but too far north for it to mature seeds satisfactorily. 
It was carefully and thoroughly tested in the station garden in 1899 and 
1900, and the results each year were practically the same. The vine 
growth was phenomenally strong, and while there was a profusion of 
blossoms, and in 1900 a considerable seed-pod formation, not one 
matured bean was secured. The vines proved to possess abundant 
drought-resistant qualities, and, in fact, withstood the hot, dry weather 
during both summers into August better than anything grown in the 
station garden, except possibly the soy bean. In 1900 the seasons 
were more favorable than in the preceding year and the vines con- 
tinued green well into October. Some of the vines grew to be 15 to 
20 feet long, with a heavy leafage. In the latter part of September, 
1900, several rows were cut, and the vines were cured and baled. ‘The 
bales of the cured product kept sweet, and were fed to stock in Jan- 
uary and February, 1901. It is confidently believed that it may pay 
those having live stock to be wintered to cultivate velvet bean, not 
only for green forage, but for its hay value, as far north as central 
Texas. (See Pl. II, fig. 2. 
