8 BULLETIN 1174, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
vetch have indicated a saving of seed by the use of a drill, and some- 
what heavier yields of both hay and seed have been obtained by 
this method of seeding. Some growers have contended that drilled 
vetch winterkills less than broadcasted plantings, but we have not 
been able to demonstrate in our experimental work that there is any 
material difference. Good stands have been secured in loam soils 
from plantings 4 inches in depth. Deeper plantings than this have 
resulted in poorer stands, while shallower plantings have always 
given good stands when sufficient moisture was present. The sur- 
face-moisture condition should determine the depth of planting, 
which in most soils should not exceed 4 inches. 
INOCULATION. 
Hungarian vetch is inoculated by the same organism that inoculates 
common and hairy vetch. In considerable areas of the Pacific 
Coast States the inoculation of vetch does not seem necessary. How- 
ever, in certain areas inoculation has proved beneficial. In growing 
vetch in a locality for the first time it usually is desirable to inoculate 
at the time of the first planting, and subsequently if inoculation is 
not at once secured. East of the Mississippi River it is essential to 
inoculate vetch in all cases except where vetch previously has been 
grown and inoculated. The addition of barnyard manure to the soil 
greatly aids in securing the inoculation of the plants, and it is desir- 
able whenever possible to add 8 or 10 tons of manure per acre to land 
being seeded to vetch for the first time. Inoculation can be secured 
either by using soil taken from an inoculated field or by the use of 
pure cultures. If soil is used this can be mixed with the seed or 
spread on the land and harrowed in immediately before seeding. If 
the soil is mixed with the seed only a small quantity is needed, but if 
spread on the land about 600 pounds per acre will be required. When 
a pure culture is used this is always added to the seed. 
USE OF LIME AND GYPSUM. 
Like most other vetches, Hungarian vetch will grow on acid soils 
about as well as any crop. It seems to be somewhat more tolerant 
of acid conditions than common vetch. However, a neutral soil is 
best for Hungarian vetch, and in the case of acid soils this can be 
obtained by the use of lime. In western Oregon and Washington it 
is common practice to make applications of gypsum in connection 
with vetch and other legume crops, but the use of lime has not been 
found profitable. In many regions having acid soil conditions lime 
at the rate of 1,000 to 3,000 pounds per acre and gypsum at 50 to ldb 
pounds per acre can be used advantageously. 
HARVESTING FOR HAY. 
Hungarian vetch should be cut for hay at about the time the last 
flowers are in bloom. At this time the lower pods are from one-half 
to two-thirds filled. In this condition the plant is at its best for hay, 
and while the maximum weight that the plant is capable of produc- 
ing may not be obtained the maximum quantity of a most digestible 
and palatable hay is produced. If cutting is delayed until the lower 
pods are practically ripe, the seeds mature in the curing hay and are 
