FODDER and SOILING PLANTS 



I SAND, or HAIRY VETCH {Vida viiiosa) 



I preach winter vetch whenever I get a chance, because I believe it to be the most valuable 

 plant for forage and fertilizing purposes that we have. It succeeds and produces good crops 

 on poor, sandy soils as well as on good land; it is perfectly hardy throughout the United 

 States, remaining green all winter. The root-growth is very extensive, as will be seen from the 

 accompanj'ing photograph, and makes quantities of nitrogen tubercles, thus giving it very 

 valuable fertilizing properties, and improving the condition and productiveness of land for 

 crops to follow. 



Vetches can be sown from July to November, and should be sown broadcast, at the rate of 

 20 to 30 lbs. per acre with one bushel of oats or rye The oats or rye help to hold the vetches 

 off the ground, enabling them to make a better growth and making it more easy to harvest 

 and cure properly. For a hay crop, vetches should be cut just after the oats or rye with which 

 it may be so\yn has headed out, before the grain matures. 



Present prices of Hairy Vetch, per lb. 15 cts.; in 10-lb. lots, 14 cts. per lb.; bus. (60 lbs.), 

 S7.50 ; in 100-lb. lots and over, 12 cts. per lb. Price fluctuates. Will quote price at any time, 

 upon request. Special price on large lots. 



ENGLISH, or SPRING VETCH (Vida sativa) 



While not so hardy in the northern states as the P'icia villosa, it is very good for spring 

 sowing and makes a large yield of nutritious hay, and is an excellent soil improver and nitrogen 

 gatherer. 



The seed of the English Spring Vetch is larger than the Hairy Vetch, and consequently 

 does not go so far in the seeding, but it is sold at a lower price, and under some conditions does 

 very well Sow 30 to 40 pounds of seed per acre. Price: 10 cts. i.er lb., 10-lb. lots at 8 cts. 

 per lb., bus of 60 lbs., $3, 100 lbs $4.60. Special price in large lots. 



LONG WHITE COW-HORN TURNIP 



It has been found by practical farmers that there is no better way of aerating and adding 

 humus to the soil in the winter time than by sowing the Long White Cow-Horn Turnip. They 

 can be fed to the stock as they are needed and the rest allowed to remain in the ground and 

 rot, having a valuable fertilizing property and soil improver. They grow nearly half out of the 

 ground, are carrot-like in form, very nutritious, heavy cropper and fine keeper. Sow two pounds 

 of seed to the acre, broadcast. Price: oz. 10 cts., !{lb. 20 cts., lb. 65 cts., by mail, postpaid; 

 by express, 60 cts. per lb., 6 lbs. at 45 cts. per lb., 26-lb. lots at 40 cts. per lb. 



COW-PEAS 



The Great Soli I 



Crimson Clover and Winter Vetch 

 Both sown and dug at the same time. Note the 



much heavier growth of Vetch on the right 



Cow-Peas 



improver 



Green crops plowed un- 

 iler are one of the best 

 and cheapest ways of im- 

 proving the soil. Forthispurpose the Cow-pea is most popular, especi- 

 ally for medium or light soil. Seed should be sown in May or June, 

 at the rate of bushels to the acre, and plowed under as soon as 

 plants have attained their full growth. There is no surer or cheaper 

 means of improving poor soil than by sowing the Cow-pea. In its 

 capacity as a nitrogen-gatherer, its growth enables the farmer to dis- 

 pense with the use of nitrogen or ammoniated fertilizers. If planted 

 early, say the middle of May, a crop can be cut and cured for hay the 

 same as clover; then the stubble in a short time will put out a new 

 growth, to be turned under in the fall as a fertilizer. 



New Era. Very early small Pea. 

 Black, or Ram's Horn. Heavy yielder. 

 Whipporwill. Speckled seed. Early. 

 Black Eye. White seed with black eye. 

 Clay. A brown seed. Late. 

 Price variable, about $3 per bushel. Write for prices in quantity 



VELVET BEANS 



A great nitrogen gatherer, largely used in the South. Makes heavy 

 growth of vine. Price variable, about $3.50 per bushel. 



TRUE DWARF ESSEX RAPE 



Dwarf Essex Rape is now largely grown in this country on account 

 of its rapid growth, being ready to feed in eight to ten weeks from sow- 

 ing, and producing 25 to 30 tons of green forage to tlie acre. It grows 

 to a height of 3 feet and covers the surface so densely as to smother 

 out all weeds. It can be sown all through the season, being perfectly 

 hardy, withstands drought, and will produce a crop in any soil by 

 sowing broadcast at the rate of five to ten pounds to the acre. While 

 unequaled as a pasture for sheep, as a food for all cattle, calves, or 

 pigs, it is without a rival, its fattening properties being twice as great 

 as clover, making a much relished and most succulent food from May 

 to December. Lb. 25 cts., 3 lbs. 60 cts., by mail, postpaid; by freight or 

 express, lb. 15 cts., 10 lbs. $1.25, 25 lbs. $2.75, Ijus. of 50 lbs. $5, 100 lbs. 

 and over at 9 cts. per lb. Special prices by letter for larger lots. 



Dwarf Essex Bape sown with spring grain for fall pasture 



49 



