24 



HENDERSON'S AMERICAN FARMER'S MANUAL. 



WISCEIihANEOUS flGRIGULTOHfllt SEEDS. 



New Hardy Forage 

 Plant. 



Moiletcfl 



(Vicia Villosa). 



"^^yKM ^rl'^&m A splendid forage 



plant which, though 

 new to the United 

 States, has for sev- 

 eral years been held 

 in high repute by the 

 farmers of Holstein, 

 a district well known 

 for the excellence of 

 its farming. 



"We experimented 

 with it and are de- 

 lighted with the 

 early and abundant 

 forage which it pro- 

 duces. Its cultiva- 

 tion is easy ; sowing 

 the seed broadcast 

 at the rate of }£ bush. 

 — 30 lbs. — per acre, 

 and covering the 

 seed with a harrow 

 and roller being all 

 that is necessary. 



It succeeds on all 

 soils, is hardy, and 

 does not suffer from 

 drought, rendering it particularly valuable for the Southern 

 States. It may be sown in the fall and will produce early in the 

 spring a heavy crop of nutritious herbage, and will be found a 

 profitable plant, whether for feeding green, putting in the silo or 

 plowing under. It may also be sown iu spring or during summer, 

 and by reason of its quickness of growth, occupying the ground 

 but a short time when a heavy crop can be cut or plowed under, 

 it may be properly termed a " catch crop." 



For plowing under for gre'en manure we believe that it will soon 

 take the place of Cow Peas, Soja Beans and other plants used for 

 this purpose. (See cut.) 



Price, S6.50 per bush, of 60 lbs. ; 15 cts. per lb. Sow at the rate 

 of 30 lbs. per acre. 



,47 





tH£ 



*$s^rB 



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'ttfy^ 



THE VILLOUS VETCH. 



ik pm 



39 



"We have pleasure in recommending this Pea for soiling or fodder 

 purposes, either in mixture or by itself, for cultivation north of 

 Maryland. In Canada it is grown largely for this purpose and to 

 the exclusion of all others. We have seen it there, under ordinary 

 farm cultivation, yield at the rate of 60 bushels dry grain per 

 acre. It is quite distinct from anything in the pea family, inas- 

 much as it has a very strong, stocky vine, bearing all or nearly all 

 its blossoms on the top in cockscomb fashion. 



A field of this variety when in full bloom is a striking sight, being 

 from its peculiar habit of growth a sea of white blossom. 



This variety will in time entirely supersede the ordinary Canada 

 Field Pea. 



Price, $2.50 per bush, of 60 lbs. Sow at the rate of 1% to 3 bush, 

 per acre. 



WILD RICH (Zizania aquatica). — An annual which sows 

 itself in the fall, about middle of September, lies dormant all 

 winter, in spring commences to sprout as soon as the water gets 

 warm, reaching the surface during the first half of June. It 

 grows very rapidly, in one to eight feet of water, ripens late in 

 August or early in September. It succeeds best when sown in the 

 fall broadcast, from a boat, in two to three feet of water having a 

 mud bottom, but it can be sown in the spring. As an attraction 

 for wild fowl it cannot be equaled. In large ponds and lakes it 

 purifies the water, affords plenty of food and refuge for small and 

 large fish. (See cut, page 23.) Price, 25 cts. per lb., or by mail, 

 35 cts. per lb. ; per 100 lbs., 820.00. 



THE BVRLINGAME MEDIUM BEAN.— This is 

 a very early, very hardy, and very prolific Bean, yielding from 50 

 to 100 per cent, more than the ordinary medium beans grown for 

 commercial purposes. It is a little smaller in the grain, is whiter, 

 and far handsomer in appearance. During the past two seasons, 

 when nearly all beans were seriously damaged by the wet weather, 

 this variety came in bright and handsome, and required far less 

 handpicking than the ordinary sorts. It is estimated that this- 

 bean has been worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to the 

 farmers of Genesee Co., who now grow it exclusivelv. $1.50' 

 peck ; $4.50 per bushel of 60 lbs. 



IMPROVED RED KIDNEY BEAN (New).— This 



is strictly an agricultural bean, and is not used or intended for 

 garden purposes. It will, doubtless, be as popular over the ordi- 

 nary red kinds as Burlingame's Medium or Marrowfat are in their 

 particular line ; and as Bed Kidneys are not as generally dis- 

 tributed throughout the country as Marrows or Mediums, wo 

 anticipate as great a demand for this variety as for either of tho 

 others. This bean is much more prolific than the ordinary Bed 

 Kidney, or " Bed French," as it is sometimes called, and is less- 

 liable to receive damage from rain. Price, Si. 50 per peck; S5.00 

 per bushel of 60 lbs. 



THE BOSTON SMALL PEA BEAN.— This Bean 

 is early, hardy, prolific, and is altogether a very desirable variety. 

 The ripened seed is small, round and handsome. It has never 

 failed to give 40 to 60 fold, and in some instances has yielded 100 

 fold with ordinary field culture. The vine is a rank grower with 

 profuse foliage, and the pods grow mainly in clusters of four. 123 

 good pods have been picked from one plant, the pods averaging 

 six beans each. We consider it superior to the Snowflake Pea 

 Bean. Price, $1.50 per peck ; $4.50 per bushel of 60 pounds. 



SOJA or JAPAN BEAN. (Glycine hispida.)—A variety 

 altogether distinct from any other Bean. The haulm is strong and 

 vigorous, and covered with a soft fur. The pods contain four to 

 five small Beans of a yellowish brown color. This Bean is very 

 suitable for growing in the South, and is used largely for plowing 

 under. In Japan the beans are used principally for making " Tofu " 

 or bean curd. Per lb., 20 cts. ; per bushel of 60 lbs., $6.00. 



WHITE MARROWFAT or NAVY BEAN.— The 

 variety so extensively grown for sale in the dry state. Also 

 valued as a string bean. Seeds ivory white, and larger than 

 either the Burlingame Medium or Boston Pea Bean. $1.25 peck; 

 $4.25 bushel of 60 pounds. 



ALFILAR1A. (Erodium cicutarium.) A plant belonging to 

 the geranium family, of much value for pasture over a large area 

 in California, Mexico and New Mexico. Where other and bett'-r 

 forage plants can be grown it is regarded as a weed, though not 

 very troublesome. It is also known as Storksbill, Piugrass and 

 Filaree. It starts very early, grows rapidly, furnishing good, 

 early pasture. It is of little value for hay. Price, $1.50 per lb. 



CHICORY (Large Rooted). — A hardy perennial plant, 

 forming roots like a carrot; these are roasted, and used as a sub- 

 stitute or for adulterating coffee. Cultivate same as carrots. 

 Price, 10 cts. oz. ; 30 cts. J^ lb. ; $1.00 lb. ; by mail, SI. 10. 



COTTON (Sea Island). 15 cts. per lb. ; S10.00 per 100 lbs. 



COTTON (Upland). 15 cts. per lb. ; $10.00 per 100 lbs. 



FLAX SEED (Linum usitatissimum). — Sow late enough in 

 the spring to avoid frost, and early enough to secure the early 

 rains. When sown for seed put in }£ bushel per acre ; if grown for 

 fibre sow % bushel per acre. Cut before quite ripe, and, if the 

 weather be dry, let it lie in the swath a few hours, when it should 

 be raked, bound and secured from the weather ; thresh early in the 

 fall. Price, 25 cts. per quart ; by mail, 40 cts. ; $4.00 per bushel. 



OPIUM POPPY (Papaver somniferum). It grows from 2 to 3 

 feet high. It is principally grown for the production of Opium, 

 although the seeds contain a great deal of oil which is used for sev- 

 eral purposes, and the Syrup of Poppies is made from the capsules. 

 Price, per oz., 20 cts. ; per lb., SI. 25. 



OSAGE ORANGE (Madura auraMiaca).— The Osage 



Orange can be grown in most parts of the United States, and makes one of our best 

 hedge plants. The ground should be thoroughly pulverized, by either plowing or 

 spading, before the seed is planted. The surest way is to sprout the seed before 

 planting, as it is very slow to germinate. Price, 50 cts. per lb.; $40.00 per 100 lbs. 



RAMIE (Bohmeria or Urtica). — This plant produces the fibre 



which the Orientals make into a delicate fabric known as Chinese Grass Cloth. It 

 is now being cultivated quite largely in the Southern States. The best varietj- 

 is Bohmeria Nivea (Silvery Ramie).— SO cts. oz. 



