28 
GREAT SOIL IMPROVERS 
Makes Poor Land Rich 
Makes Rich Land More Productive 
The wonderful value of 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 it 
general is content to raise average crops under ordinary conditions. But why not enrich your land, raise larger crops and at the same timt 
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 ever) 
one of these three essentials can be improved upon by the grower. 
Cnttr Poqc In the eow pea 
tiUW ICda we have a fertil- 
izer and a food at the same 
time. The Cow Tea is one of the 
most useful annual forage crops. 
In the first place it grows in hot 
weather when it is desirable to 
have 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 great service: (4) it provides 
splendid forage; (3) it may be used as a cover crop; (6) 
the roots and stubble are left as additions to the soil al- 
ways causing considerable improvement. It has strong 
roots and heavy foliage, possessing great fertilizing pow- 
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 remarkable. 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 18Vfc percent of digestible 
protein. The vines properly cured arc 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 eow peas 
and thus made into a ferti le loam. If wanted to plow 
under as a fertilizer, sow with a drill, in drills a foot apart. If grown 
seed plant SV4 feet apart and 1 foot in the row. and cultivate thoroughly, 
using 85 pounds of seed per acre. Minnesota grown stock. Pk. $1.00. 
Cow Peas bu- * 3,50; Southern grown, pk. 75c, bu. $2.76. 
C AV ATI A T7I17I Tl Pli*A^ Very valuable for fattening stock, and can also be grown 
bnliAun riCLl/ 1 LAi) for soiling purposes, but are of greater value for fodder 
when fed as ground feed, or the vines can be cured for hay, which is of great nutritive value. 
They can be sown alone or with oats. If sown alone, sow 2 bushels to the acre. If with oats 
sow one bushel of peas and lVi 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- 
ed, but make a desirable feed when ground together for fattening stock. 
ImnrnvfA YpllrtW nr WhlTP A vcry Prolific sort, yielding all the way from 18 to 40 
imprOVCU IG11UW Ul nilllC i )118 | le i so f fine peas per acre. They arc great fatten- 
ers. These peas sell at fancy prices dry for eating. Pk. 90c, bu. $3. 00 
May 
>ts Parfantlnn ftreon Height of vine three and one-half to four feet. Of the same general character as the 
a rCIlCliUUli UICC11 improved Yellow or White, used for the same purposes, but the seed is green in color 
instead of white. Pk. $1.10. bu. $4.00 
Canada 
Field 
Peas 
SAND OR WINTER VETCH 
Improves Poor, Sandy or Gravelly Soils 
The earliest crop for cutting and plowing under in spring, be 
lng 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 raid. The vines are very similar to 
Pea vines, but are more slender and much more thickly clad with leav- 
es and side stems, 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 the value of a plowcd-undcr crop of this Verch as equivalent to 
putting into the ground $16 to $45 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 SO 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 good, rich soil it yields enormous crops 
of green fodder, running from 10 to 15 tons to the acfe. It is also a 
remarkable grower on sandy or thin land. 10 lbs. $1.50 Write for 
prices on larger quantities. 
Winter Vetch 
From a photograph 
