Northern Grown Seeds. Plants and Nursery Stock 
23 
GREAT SOIL IMPROVERS 
Makes Poor Land Rich 
Makes Rich Land More Productive 
The wonderful value o( the forage crops listed on the next two pages is not as yet fully appreciated by the average farmers. The enriching of 
the soil by commercial fertilizers or by rotation is still in its crude form. This is due to the natural fertility of our land, and the farmer in 
general is content to raise average crops under ordinary conditions. But why not enrich your land, raise larger crops and at the same time 
have a goodly quantity of forage for your stock. The varieties listed herewith can all be sown as catch crops, they are all valuable for fatten- 
ing purposes, they are adapted to various soils and conditions, and best of all their roots penetrate into the ground and bring up a rich supply 
of mineral matter that cannot be reached by ordinary plants, thereby leaving the earth richer and far more productive than heretofore. 
We desire to call your attention to the importance of these crops as fertilizers also to the importance of using fertilizers. 
The quantity and quality of yield of grains and grasses depends first upon the seed, second upon the soil, third upon the culture. And every 
one of these three essentials can be improved upon by the grower. 
Cn-ar Poac I" 'he cow pea 
^^UW ICdi we have a fertil- 
izer and a food at the same 
time. The Cow I'ea is one of the 
most useful annual forage crops. 
In the first place it grows in hot 
weather when it is desirable to 
liave the ground covered. (2) its 
long tap root penetrates the sub- 
soil, loosening it and making it 
more porous; (3) the absorption of 
the free nitrogen makes it of greatservice; (t) it provides 
splendid forage; (s) it may be used as a cover crop; (6) 
the roots and stubble are left as additions to the soil al- 
ways causing consi<!erabIe improvement. It has strong 
roots and heavy foliage, possessing great fertilizing iMtw- 
ers. It draws its nourishment very heavily from the air, 
and returns it in a richer measure to the soil, thereby 
enriching it to a degree that is remarliable. If not desir- 
ed as a fertilizer, it makes a fine fodder for cattle. The 
cow pea ranks very high as a soil enricher. gathering im- 
mense quantities of nitrogen from the atmosphere. The 
ripe peas contain no less than I8V2 per cent of digestible 
protein. The vines properly cured are a most valuable 
fodder for cattle and sheep, being richer in protein and 
fat than the best clover hay. If desired the pods may be 
harvested for the grain and the vines plowed under to 
fertilize the soil. The .seed or grain is ground and 
used for feed, the leaves and stalks also make good 
fodder fed green. Poor sandy soil may be greatly 
improved by plowing under a crop of row peas 
and thus made into a fertile loam. If wanted to plow 
under as a fertilizer, sow with a drill, in drills a foot apart. If grown for 
seed plant ^V^ feet apart and 1 f(K>t in the row. an<l cultivate tlioroiiglily, 
using 2.'> pounds of seed per acre. Minnesota grown stock. Pk. $1.00. 
bu. $3.50; Southern grown, pk. 75c, bu. $2.75. 
Cow Peas 
CANADA FIELD PEAS 
Very valuable for fattening stock, and can also be grown 
for soiling purposes, but are of greater value for folder 
'vlien fed as ground feed, or the vines can be cured for hay, which is of great nutritive value, 
riiey can be sown alone or with oats. If sown alone, sow 2 bushels to the acre. If with oats 
■^ow one biLshel of peas and IV2 bushels of oats. The latter method is the most profitable and 
a double crop can be secured at the same time. Threshed together they can be easily separat- 
d. but make a desirable feed when ground together for fattening stock. 
imnrn\rpi\ YAllnw nr Whito A very prolific sort, yielding all the way from 18 to 40 
llliyiUVCU ItJllUW Ul " "lie i,„si,e|s of fine peas per acre. They are great fatten- 
These peas sell at fancy prices dry for eating. Pk. 75c. bu. $2.50. 
May 
'c Pprfprtirm flrppn Height of vine three and one-half to four feet. Of the same general character as the 
a I CllCO^lUU Ul ecu i„,proved Yellow or White, used for the same purposes, but the seed is 
instead of white. Pk. 90c, bu. $3.50. 
Canada 
Field 
Peas 
SAND OR WINTER VETCH 
Improves Poor, Sandy or Gravelly Soils 
The earliest crop for cutting and plowing under in spring, be 
ing nearly a month earlier than Crimson Clover, and a full 
crop can be taken off the land in time for planting spring crops. 
This Vetch is beyond doubt one of the most valuable fodder plants 
for the West and Northwestern States, owing to its adaptability to 
withstand severe drought, heat and cold. The vines arc very similar to 
Pea vines, but are more slender and much more thickly clad with leav- 
es and side steins, which furnish nice succulent feed. Individual plants 
will make a ten foot growth before going to seed. 
A sowing made in August or September makes excellent pasturage 
for sheep or hogs, the crop in 50 days being two feet high. After close 
eating it can be left to prevent soil washing during winter and early 
spring, thus effecting a great saving of soluble mineral fertilizers con- 
tained in the soil. The department of Agriculture at Washington esti- 
mates th« value of a plowed-under crop of this Verch as equivalent to 
putting into the ground Sia to S45 worth of commercial fertilizer to the 
acre. It is one of the first plants to start into growth in spring, cover- 
ing the ground with a heavy crop early in May. 
Sowing may be made in the Fall or Spring, using 30 lbs. of seed to 
the acre, either broadcast or in drills three feet apart. To get the best 
results from it sow about one-half bushel of Rye or Oats with it, to fur- 
nish support for the vines- On goo<l. rich soil it yields enormous crops 
of green fodder, running from 10 to 15 tons to the acre. It is also a 
remarkable grower on sandy or thin land. 10 lbs. $1.25. Write foP 
prices on larger quantities. 
Winter Vetch 
From a nhotograoh 
