The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1894-08-31
THE BARREN FOOTHILLS
To be Made Excellent Grazing
Lands by the Introduction
of the Flat Pea.


reporter was shown sample of the Flat
! Pea vine Iathyrus Sylvesterus) that was
recently imported to this country from
Germany. In some respects the vine re-
sembles the vetch used iii many parts of the
state for fodder; also the pea vine that
grows with great deal of vigor in the
mountains of the Coast range. The vine i'll
question, however, is a perennial, and in
that respect differs from any plant which it
resembles 1t was propagated by Professor
Wagner, of Germany, who experimental
extensively with it on various kinds of soils,
before anything was said of its merits. AS
the vine proved such a success in its mother
country, some of the seed was taken to
chalk hills of that country. The soil is
very thin in these districts, but the pea
IN ,de luxuriant growth and promises to
reclaim the entire section to the use and
benefit of the agriculturist. Soon after its
introduction into America, the state OF
Michigan established branch experiment
station on what is famiiarly known as the
Jack Pine plains-a vast section of that
state upon which no vegetation suitable for
grazing purposes has grown-for tie pur.
pose of determining whether or not the Flat
Pea would grow there successfully, and
their expectations, according to Prof.
French, have been more than realized.
Reports from the experiment station of that
AJ-
been grown to the acre. It is also proving
a success III Kansas, well as in several
other states where it has been given trial
Three years ago Professor French tried to
per pound, and as quantity less than three
pounds would not be sold, the matter was
given up for the time from point of econ
omy. While on visit to the experiment
years ago. Mr.. French found the vine grow
ing there and made arrangements to have
some of the roots sent to him at Corvallis
during the following winter. They came
BY mail and were planted according to di.
rections. This year the vine has made a
growth of five feet and will yield about a
quart of seed. 1t has very strong root
and makes u healthy, hardy growth. 1t is
of very much the same composition as clover
and all kinds of stock do well on it, A
good sized bed of this rare plant is now
growing on the college farm from a couple
tablespoonful of seed which Prof. French
received last winter. The plants at this
time are very sm,ll. but in another season
it is expected that they will attain large
proportions and produce quantity of seed.
1t is said that the vine attains a length of
20 feet III single season and the plant will
grow for period of twenty-five years
from one setting.
AS this peculiar vine will thrive in shall
low soils, it is expected to do well on the
barren foot hills of the Coast range, where
at present nothing but poverty grass will
grow at all, and that only during the rainy
season. By this means thousands of acres
of land, which at present is almost worth
less, could be converted into paying prop
erty for hay and grazing purposes. By this
means also, much of the land in Eastern
Oregon, where the bunch grass has been
trampled out and thus made practically
valueless, would be reclaimed for the i'm
mense herds of stock now roaming the
praries of the vast Inland Empire. Prof.
French is of the opinion that he will be able
to get the plant well introduced throughout
the state within. the next five years.
Should it prove as much of a success as it
is expected to, the benefits that will accrue
to the state by its introduction will alone
more than reimburse the government, for its
outlay in maintaining the experiment sta.
tion during the past five years.