and non-leguminous. The latter 
what they took from it while making 
;rops while equally good for supplying 
jomplished by the plants using the atmos- 
;S only. In addition the deep 
COVER CROP AND GREEN MANURE CROPS 
There is no way so good to improve soils as to grow a cover crop of some leguminous plant and then to plow it 
under when just coming into flower, or at the time of the hist spring rains. This growing of cover crops is'being 
done very largely in the orange orchards in the South and each year more of the Northern progressive orchardists 
are planting Melilotus and Burr Clover in the Fall and plowing it under in April or before. 
Prof. R. H. Taylor, of the University of California, says: "Cover crops are of two kinds, legu 
while adding volcanic matter to the soil, do not make any contribution of nitrogen to the soil othe 
their growth. Their chief value is in the addition of humus to the soil by their decay. The legu 
the humus, have the added power of actually increasing the nitrogen content of the soil. This i: 
pheric nitrogen which is gathered by the. bacteria which live in the nodules found on the roots of the 
rooting legumes are very effective in opening up the soil mechanically for the more rapid access of i 
Cover crops may be grown either in winter or summer, depending on the moisture conditions throughout the year, and on the nature of the 
soil. Humus not only has the power of rendering heavy soils more pervious to moisture, but, it also has the power of holding moisture in soils 
that are too well drained. The addition of humus to a soil comes nearer being a 'cure all' for unfavorable conditions than any other material 
that could be added." 
For orchard work the best time to plant cover crops is in the Fall, the best way to get a fine 
healthy growth of plants is by inoculating the seed at the time of sowing with Farmogerm. The 
highest returns in nitrogen added, come from crops inoculated. Nitrogen 
is fertilizer when added as above, improving your soil and adding dollars 
to your crop. This is no experiment, it has been attested a hundred times. 
Even now it is only the progressive who are awake. 
As the University of Southern California says: "Success with nitrogen bacteria is a simple and not 
difficult combination of science and sense. The successful farmer of tomorrow will be the one who knows 
how to handle most skillfully the micro-organisms in the soil." 
We give below the best winter growing cover crops for California, desirable in the 
order named. Be advanced and scientific and add fertility to your soil in the cheapest 
way by growing each year some of these crops. Prices fluctuate; 100 lb. and ton prices 
gladly quoted on application. 
Write for prices in quantity. Prices below are not postpaid. 
MELILOTUS INDICA (Bitter Clover). Starts very early and makes a good growth during the winter, 
being 3 feet tall when ready to plow under. The crown of the plant has many stalks leading out from 
the crown. Not good for hay or forage. Sow shallow, !4 inch if the soil is right. Use 20 to 25 lbs. of 
seed per acre. Flowers yellow. Per lb. 15c; 10 lbs. 80c. 
BURR CLOVER (Medicago Denticulata) . Burr clover is among the best cover crops and in some 
localities is accounted the very best. Burr clover is native to our hillsides, forming fine dry forage 
during the summer. Requires very little water. Sow with the first rains, using 15 to 20 lbs. of seed 
per acre. Per lb. 20c; 10 lbs. $1.40. 
SPRING VETCH (Vicia Sativa). Carloads of this are planted for a cover crop each year. Vetch is 
pei'fcetly hardy and does well. The seed is large and requires 60 to 70 pourrds per acre. Vetch does 
not grow luxuriantly until the coldest weather has passed. Greatly needs inoculating. Per lb. 10c: 
10 lbs. 80c. 
Hairy Vetch (Vicia Villosa). We cannot supply seed this year. 
CANADA FIELD PEAS. Excellent for a cover crop or for forage for cattle. Makes a good growth 
even if planted late. Sow 70 to SO lbs. per acre. Inoculated soils are essential. Per lb. 10c; 10 lbs. 
70c. 
SWEET CLOVER or BOKHARA (Melilotus Alba). This is biennial and white flowering. Sweet 
clover is especially noted for the depth which it sends its roots, going through the subsoil and leaving 
openings after the plant has died. Crows well on the poorest soil and improves all soils. Does not get 
started so quickly as the Melilotus Indica, but is probably better for a summer growth. Sow 10 lbs. 
per acre. Per lb. 30c; 10 lbs. $2.50. 
For summer growing cover crops we recommend : 
SOY BEANS or SOJA BEANS. Will not do well in an acid soil. Makes a splendid growth. See page 51. 
COW PEAS (Clay, New Era and Whippoorwill) . Will grow in an acid soil. Mixed with the Soy Bean 
they make a splendid crop. See page 52. 
1 FARMOGERM' DID IT; , 
m 
■n , 
INOCULATION 
A leguminous crop like any of the above, and also alfalfa, does not have 
its best chance to get well established unless inoculated with Farmogg rm. 
FARMOGERM is pure, high bred, bacteria and good only for the crop 
for which it is bred. Be sure to say on your order for what crop the Farm- 
ogerm is wanted. 
FARMOGERM makes nitrogen (from the air) available for the plant, 
enabling it to get a good start and to thrive afterward. This same nitrogen 
will in part remain in the soil and will aid the next crop. 
FARMOGERM has added to the fertility of your soil which can be meas- 
ured in actual dollars and at the same time has aided the growing crop. 
FARMOGERM comes in four sizes (the two smaller postpaid to the 
Pacific Coast): U^-acre bottles, 50c; 1-acre bottles, $2.00; 5-acre bottles, 
$6.00; 50-acre (10 bottles in case) $55.00. (Cannot be mailed but must go 
by express.) 
.'-■'end for Farmogerm booklet telling more about it. Also see page 47 of this 
catalogue. 
