HAY AND PASTURE PLANTS RECOMMENDED. 65 
VETCHES. 
Comparatively few stockmen and farmers of central Texas know 
anything about the vetches, and yet more than one variety, natives to 
the section, are growing on the ranges and in their fields, and consti- 
tute factors of no small importance in the make-up of their pastures. 
Sprine Vercn ( Vicia sata). 
Seeds of this variety were tested in the station garden in 1899. A 
first planting was made in February, but on account of the ground 
being cold, and continuing so until in March, few seeds germinated. 
Later plantings were made March 17 and April 10, good stands were 
secured, and the plants grew rapidly to 18 to 20 inches in length, and 
matured good crops of seed. A cutting could have been made during 
June and early in July. 
Harry Vetcu ( Vicia villosa). 
This variety was also tested in the station garden in 1899, the plant- 
ings being the same dates as those of the spring vetch. The results 
were substantially the same with both varieties. A cutting of the 
hairy vetch was cured and baled. The hay was soft and rich, and the 
yield (estimated) was at the rate of 14 to 14 tons per acre. The soil 
where it grew was not rich. The nutritive value of the hay is very 
high. As in fertile soils from 2 to 4 tons per acre can be grown, it 
will pay those having live stock to feed to cultivate it, and also the 
spring vetch. | 
OTHER ForAGE PLANTs. 
With a view to determine the value of several of the grain crops 
generally grown in central Texas, especially for forage and hay pur- 
poses, a number of interesting tests were made with more or less 
satisfactory results. 
CoMMON Oats AND WHRAT. 
It is a well-known fact that when oats are cut just after heading 
they make hay of the finest quality. It is also a well-known fact that 
a crop can be grown in central Texas during the winter on ground 
from which corn has been gathered, and can be harvested in time for 
planting the ground in the spring. It is further known that during 
the years when the rainfall is normal large yields (3 to 5 tons per acre) 
of the straw can be grown on the fertile lands of this section. The 
pressing needs among stockmen and farmers are for early spring 
pastures and for plants that will yield, under wider cultivation, good 
hay crops. The time has passed for any class of live stock to be left 
to ‘‘rustle” on the range for their winter feed. The enterprising 
stockgrower now recognizes the necessity for providing winter forage 
15015—No. 18—02 5 
