30 ORCHARD GREEN-MANURE CROPS IN CALIFORNIA. 
central root, or taproot, than common vetch, and the fibrous roots 
tend to penetrate more deeply. The seeding habits are much better 
than those of other vetches. “The pods shatter but very little, which 
much facilitates the harvesting of the seed. 
Black bitter vetch is grown very extensively in the Mediterranean 
region, where the seed is a commercial product. The fact that the 
seed of this plant can be imported at a reasonable cost makes it pos- 
sible to supply the trade at once. On account of the plant branch- 
ing but little it is necessary to use a slightly larger quantity of seed 
in seeding than with common vetch. Seventy pounds per acre is 
recommended. Aside from the quantity of seed per acre used, the 
crop should be handled ike common vetch. 
WOOLLY-PODDED VETCH. 
Woolly-podded vetch (Vicia dasycarpa) resembles hairy vetch 
quite closely, both in appearance and in agricultural value. 
In comparative tests the woolly-podded vetch has made a stronger 
erowth during the cool weather of early winter than the common or 
the hairy vetch, but not so strong as the black-purple vetch or the 
black bitter vetch. As soon as the warmer weather of the latter part 
of winter comes it is one of the most vigorous growers and its ultimate 
yield is very heavy. Thus, while it will serve very well as a crop to 
be turned under in early winter its special value 1s for conditions where 
the crop can be allowed to remain a little later in the spring. For 
sowing without irrigation in deciduous orchards it may be of special 
value. 
Woolly-podded vetch stands trampling well and for orchard use 
is in this respect equal, if not superior, to common vetch. The root 
system is about like that of common vetch and is well covered with 
medium large nodules. 
In growing woolly-podded vetch it should be handled as common 
vetch, except that a little less seed may be used in seeding. Fifty 
pounds per acre is sufficient. 
HORSE BEAN. 
The horse bean (Vicia faba) has been but little grown in California. 
The broad bean, however, which differs from the horse bean only in 
having larger and broader seeds and pods, has been grown as a vege- 
table for a number of years in a few localities. 
Experimental tests in California during the past few years indicate 
that the horse bean has considerable value as a green-manure crop, 
especially in the southern part of the State. (See fig. 9.) 
The plant has an upright stem which is quite leafy, but little 
branched. The leaves, as well as the stems, are quite large, but com- 
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