10 



HENDERSON'S FARMERS MANUAL 



ARTICHOKES, JERUSALEM 



(Helianlhus tuberosum) 



This hardy perennial plant produces a mass of potato- 

 like tubers. 



Its cultivation is recommended especially on dry soils 

 liable to excessive droughts. It furnishes excellent feed for 

 stock, especially hogs. An easy way to harvest this crop 

 is to turn a drove of hogs loose in the field; they will clean 

 up the field, to the last tuber. 



Price on application. 



AUSTRALIAN SALT BUSH 



(Atriplex Semibaccatum) 



A valuable^ forage plant recently introduced and highly 

 recommended for growing on alkali soils and in sections 

 subject to protracted droughts. Experiments have proven 

 that it will grow on soils where nothing else will grow. It is 

 nutritious and readily eaten by all kinds of live stock. One 

 pound of seed is sufficient for an acre. The best plan is to 

 sow the seed in well-prepared garden soil and the seedlings 

 when two or three inches high, planted six or eight feet apart. 



Price, 15c. per oz. ; $1.25 per lb.; 10-lb. lots, $1.15 per lb. 



SOJA or SOY BEANS 



Soja Beans produce the greatest amount of proteins at the least expenditure of 

 labor. Large crops are obtained even on poor ground, and being true legumes, 

 they gather the nitrogen from the air and increase the fertility of the soil. 



EARLY GREEN SOJA or SOY BEANS 



This early green variety has proved its earliness and value in the Northern 

 States by not only producing large fodder crops, but ripening the seed as far 

 north as Massachusetts. The grain is the richest known vegetable substance, and 

 when ground and fed to cattle gives a milk richer and better than cotton seed or 

 other meal. The American farmer can now, by the aid of the Soja or Soy Bean, 

 and Japanese Millet, grow on his own farm, at small cost, a combination which 

 furnishes a wholesome, economical and completely balanced feed for milch cows. 

 This combination should be composed of two parts Millet or Corn to one part 

 Soja Beans, grown separately, but mixed thoroughly, at the time of cutting and 

 filling of the silo. We recommend that grain be fed occasionally as a change, 

 but four-fifths of the grain bill can be saved. Planted the latter part of May, 

 in latitude of New York, the Beans are ready for harvesting in about 100 days. 

 Japanese Millet comes quicker to maturity than Soja Beans, and should be sown 

 from four to five weeks later, so as to be in the best condition for the silo, along 

 with the Soja Beans. Sow the Beans from the middle to end of May, and the 

 Millet from last week in June till first week in July; both will then be ready for 

 silo about the end of August. 



Planted in rows 2}A feet apart, 6 to 8 plants to the foot of row, requiring three 

 pecks per acre, they yield 15 to 20 tons per acre of fodder, very rich in flesh formers. 

 For green feed, use from time of blossoming till pods are well filled; for the silo, 

 cut as soon as most of the pods are well filled, and cut into 3^-inch to 2J^-inch 

 lengths. The Soja Bean is also valuable as a soil enricher, gathering nitrogen 

 from the air same as Clover, the roots being crowded with nodules which give 

 them this power. (See engraving.) 



Price, 20c. per lb.; $2.25 per peck; $8.00 per bushel of 60 lbs.; 10-bushel 

 lots, $7.90 per bushel. 



EARLY WILSON BLACK SOJA BEAN 



Possessing all the good qualities of the early green variety, this sort is considered 

 superior on account of its extremely vigorous constitution. On poor soil, Early 

 Wilson will make a growth of from three to four feet, and on rich soil it will 

 attain a height of six feet. 



Many growers prefer Early Wilson because the stems, which are strong enough 

 to support the heavy top growth, are very slender, and it is therefore considered 

 better for hay and ensilage. 



Early Wilson will mature and ripen its large crop of beans in the latitude of 

 New York. If combined with Millet as recommended for Early Green, it will 

 furnish a wholesome, economical, and nutritious feed for cattle. 



Price, 15c. per lb.; $1.75 per peck; $6.00 per bushel of 60 lbs.; 10-bushel 

 lots, $5.90 per bushel. 



VELVET BEAN 



(Mucuna Utilis) 



A rank growing leguminous vine, attaining a length of 10 to 40 feet and densely 

 covering the ground. As a green manuring and forage crop it is of great value 

 in the South and in tropical countries. No other forage crop makes such enormous 

 growth in such a short time. On the sandy lands of Florida it averages 5,000 

 . pounds of cured forage per acre, while on richer soils in Alabama the weight is 

 often over 8,000 pounds per acre. The crop may be used as green forage, pastured 

 or cured into hay, for which purpose it should be cut when in full flower or before 

 the pods get large. The feeding value is high, as nutritious as Cow Peas, or 

 Clover. Cattle and hogs thrive especially well on it. As a soil enricher the 

 Velvet Bean crop is not surpassed. 



Price, $2.25 per peck; $8.00 per bushel of 60 lbs. 



SELECTED SEED BARLEY 



Sow 2 l / 2 bushels per acre broadcast and 1)4 to 2 bushels per acre if drilled. 



BEARDLESS BARLEY 



Beardless Barley is remarkable for its great productiveness; it having 

 been conclusively shown during the past few years, that it is far and 

 away above all others in that respect. Also for the entire absence 

 of the troublesome beard common to all other varieties except the 

 Improved White Hulless. Although it makes a good grain crop, it 

 is of the greatest value, as a quick growing and nutritious forage crop, 

 either to feed green or cured as hay. If cured as hay it should be cut 

 when the grain is in the milk. 



For fattening hogs or feeding to live stock generally, it is particularly 

 good, and also much safer owing to the absence of beard. Many 

 young animals have been choked by feeding them the bearded Barleys. 

 Beardless Barley is also preferred by many brewers for malting purposes. 

 Sow 1\ to 2 bushels per acre. 



Price, $1.00 per peck; $3.00 per bushel of 48 lbs.; 10-bushel lots, 

 $2.90 per bushel. 



Barley is a good crop to follow Corn grown on Clover sod, as the land is 

 then in prime condition. Harrow and roll well after seeding. The crop 

 should be harvested before it is too ripe, if a bright white berry is wanted. 



IMPROVED WHITE HULLESS 



A valuable new variety, which should be sown at the rate of 13^ 

 bushels per acre about the time of sowing Oats. It is two or three 

 weeks earlier than ordinary Barley, grows about the same height, 

 and will not shatter in the field, even when very ripe. The grain is 

 not unlike Wheat, and weighs about 60 lbs. per bushel, instead of 48 

 lbs. as other Barley. For feeding to horses and hogs, when ground, it 

 is unequalled, and is also exceedingly valuable as hay, if cut and cured 

 just before ripening. 



Price, $1.00 per peck; $3.00 per bushel of 48 lbs.; 10-bushel lots, 

 $2.90 per bushel. 



VERMONT CHAMPION^ 



This is a two-rowed variety which is much esteemed by northern 

 farmers. It is quite early, extremely hardy, and very prolific. The 

 heads are longer than the six-rowed varieties, and the berries are larger. 

 It always fetches a high price, on account of its good appearance. 



Price, $1.00 per peck; $3.00 per bushel of 48 lbs.; 10-bushel lots, 

 $2.90 per bushel. 



That neglected, weedy field can be built up quickly with Soja Beans. They will add great quantities 



of humus and much nitrogen to the soil. 



