COMMOX VETCH AND ITS VARIETTKS \) 
from Oregon vetch and some others. In experimental trials it has yielded less 
seed than a number of other varieties. 
S. P. I. 18420. — A variety especially characterized by its winter hardiness; 
closely resembles Oregon vetch, from which it can hardly be distinguished. 
S. P. I. 13430. — Closely resembles Oregon vetch in most characters. The 
seeds are dark brown with few of the mottled-gray seeds common in Oregon 
vetch. This is an excellent variety. It makes a heavy growth and is earlier 
than Oregon vetch. 
S. P. I. 16452. — This variety is' without specially distinguishing characteristics. 
It has made a strong vigorous growth, indicative of value. It is much like 
Oregon vetch in general appearance. 
S. P. I. 16462. — Similar to 16452 but about 10 days later. 
S. P. I. 181 41. — Very early maturing, being the earliest variety tested. The 
pods are very pubescent, rather large, and shatter but little. In general appear- 
ance it is like Oregon vetch. 
S. P. 1. 18338. — Like Swedish sweet vetch (F. C. I. 02831) in general appearance, 
but does not seem to have such good seeding habits as that variety. It makes 
good growth. 
S. P. I. 7708. — Grown as a mixture of several varieties with pink, brown, 
gray, and olive-green seeds. All resemble Oregon vetch in general characters 
but make a less vigorous growth. 
NONSHATTERING VARIETIES 
The pods of most varieties of vetch dehisce very readily, which 
makes it somewhat difficult to harvest the seed. This is true of the 
common commercial varieties. Several noncommercial varieties 
dehisce tardily and retain their seed long after they are ripe. These 
varieties and their S. P. I. numbers are as follows : Viciasativa nemoralis 
(7717), V. sativa cosentini (16469), V. sativa linearis (18822, 31077, 
and 31090), and V. sativa iorulosa (21582, 21944, and 25150). These 
all have small pods and do not make quite so much vegetative growth 
as some other varieties. 
WINTER HARDINESS 
There is a marked difference in the winter hardiness of varieties. 
The most hardy will ordinarily stand a temperature of 8° F. The 
least winter hardy will stand about 15° F. The temperatures pre- 
ceding and following a cold spell and the protection given the plants 
by snow or vegetation of course determine to a certain extent the 
degree of cold the plants will stand, but the above figures indicate 
what may be expected under average conditions. Oregon vetch, 
crown vetch, and Nos. 04432 and 13420 are the most winter-hardy 
varieties tested. Nos. 13427 and 18338 are winter hardy, but some- 
what less so than the above. Other varieties that are moderately 
winter hardy are Nos. 13407, 13430, 16452, 16462, 16469, 17029, 
and 18813. Pearl vetch is not so winter hardy as Oregon vetch, 
and for this reason is usually sown in early spring. Some of the 
less winter-hardy varieties are Nos. 04385, 17021, 17024, 18134, 
18141, 18805, 18822, 21582, and 31084. Most of these varieties 
make good vegetative growth under favorable conditions. 
In experimental tests at Raleigh, N. C, Auburn, Ala., Arlington, 
Va., and Fayetteville, Ark., the comparative winter hardiness of 
varieties has been clearly indicated, and only the most hardy can 
be expected to survive the average winter in most of the Southern 
States. The varieties grown in European countries under the name 
11 spring vetch" should be avoided in seedings in the Southern States. 
2025°— 25t 2 
