Daily Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1882-1893, 1891-04-24
OF INTEREST TO srocKMEN.
about q New Forage That Pro-
mises to PHI . Long Felt Want In
This Country,


Some importations Of plant known
scientifically known as LArHYRUs
SILvERTRIs (iat peal. have recently
been Llade by Jos. Scott, and Post
master Seyde for experiment and pro-
pagation If it proves to be a success in
this country. The plant is a naive
Of the Southern part of Germany from
where a consignment Of both seeds
and plants have been resolved. A
small sample package Of tie seed sent
to Mr.. Seyde by the Department Of
Agriculture, quotes the market price
Of the seed at $40 per pound, which Is
certainly very nigh for q grass seei.
The following description OF the plant
is translated from an official circular
issued by the branch of the German
Government which has charge Of such
matters and can therefore be regarded
a. thoroughly truthful and free from
exsggeration:
"There are several varieties of this
fodder plant. some of which will last
"
far a greater age than Is attained by
Lucerne or Esparsette. These varie-
ties Of Lathvrus produce more and
better fodder than Lucerne or Red
Clover, and at the same time make n
less demand on the nutriment of the
ground. The plant is more prolific
in seed-bearing on sandy or T 'cky
ground as well as on steep hillsides II
the character Of the soil is but such ~
to permit Of the roots to extend deep
into the ground; q less quantity Of
seed is gathered II planted on good
ground as iD this case the hulls have a
tendency to drop off before the seed
ripers. which however, on the ether
hand ensures q more luxurious growth
rs the plant propagates itself without
mans assistance. The rOpe-like hard
and tough roOts Of thirty feet depth and
over, smat through the rocky subsoil
and and and are capable Of sustaining
the growth In full vig0f in spite Of
continued drouth. The Door. limeless
and diluvial sand shows results equally
IS good as chalg. basalt or rocky
ground In general. The plant has a
great penetrating quality not possessed
by any other. It's ability TO with
stand cold is astonishing and IL ma
lures sooner for an early crop than any
other fodder plant. Itmay be planted
bet ~een August and October. but
spring planting has given better re-
suits. The ground should be prepared
In the fall by deep plowiDg."
From other sources Of information
IL is learned that the roots penetrated
the ground to a depth OF 100 feet and
over. going down until water was
reached, and that yield of is tons
per acre has been harvested.
1.-THE Information here given In re-
gard to the lAthyrus be true. and there
appears 10 be no reason whatever 10
doubt IL, the plant sppears to be just
the thing for Montana. ss otherwise
worthless hillsides can be ussd for its
propagation; its resistance Of extreme
cold and adaptAbllity 10 poor and dry
coil must DC it for he uses Of the
range country. while its enormous
yield would solve the question Of win
ter feed for many owners.
Postmaster Seyde has In his ofice =
water-oolor painting nom life Of the
roots Of q lathyrus plant showing the
actual size Of the roots and their ten-
denoy 10 penetrate the ground In
search Of moisture. Mr.. Rusk. secre-
rstary Of Agriculture says ofthsplant;