4A FORAGE CROPS 
origin so we handle the Northeastern grown, domestic 
seed exclusively. We have a small field of it which 
was planted in 1988 and is still a good stand. 
Northeastern U. S. grown seed of Broadleaf variety. 
Per packet, 15c; pound, with can of inoculant, $2.50; 
5 pounds, with can of inoculant, $11.25; postpaid. Write 
us for prices on larger quantity, or regarding availabil- 
ity of certified seed. 
BIG TREFOIL 
(Lotus major) 
Big Trefoil is receiving wide acceptance in some of 
our northwest coastal areas where it succeeds both on 
lowlands and on poorer hill land where the soils remain 
relatively moist. It is not drowth resistant as is the 
Birdsfoot Trefoil, but will grow on wet land and will 
withstand periods of flooding. It is reported as very 
acid tolerant and succeeding on soils high in acidity. It 
does not prove hardy for us here in Jowa and is better 
adapted to warmer climates. 
Big Trefoil would seem to hold much promise for sit- 
uations in the south and middle-south where a legume 
is needed to meet the above requirements. It is report- 
ed long lived and spreads and thickens up by under- 
ground rhizomes. It is used for both pasture and hay. 
Try it, it may be just the legume you are looking for. 
Big Trefoil furnishes a great abundance of bloom. 
Honey bees visit the flowers freely and it is apparently 
a good honey plant. 
The seed, which is very small, should be sown almost 
on top of a very well prepared and firmed seedbed. The 
seed should be inoculated with a special culture which 
is absolutely necessary for its success. 
Seed, % pound with can of inoculant, $1.00; per 
pound, including inoculant, $2.25, postpaid. 
WAGNER FLAT PEA 
(Lathyrus silvestris wagneri) 
For those who will give it the necessary attention to 
get it established, Wagner Pea apparently offers a long 
time heavy yield of forage. Once established, it is re- 
ported to succeed on poor soil, stand much dry weather 
and to last for a lifetime. In Washington State some 
old stands are reported which are 40 or more years old. 
We have reports of yields of three and four tons of dry 
hay per acre from a single cutting. The dry hay has 
been analyzed as containing 21 to 30 per cent protein, 
which is very high. 
Wagner Pea is a deep rooting perennial which starts 
slowlv and requires two to three years to become fully 
established. On cultivated land it requires clean culti- 
vation the first season. It is being used for forage in 
some sections on newly logged off land where it is 
adapted to hill planting between the stumps. Once 
_well established it smothers out competing growth. 
Some classes of livestock, as sheep and rabbits, have 
been poisoned under certain conditions by eating freely 
of the immature foliage. This seems to suggest that 
it should not be used for sheep pasture. We have no 
knowledge of this plant ever being injurious to any 
other classes of livestock or of its ever being injurious 
