The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1896-04-09
VETCH AS FORAGE PLANT.
Not Cultivated TO Amy Great Extent In
the South as Yet.

QUESTION tell me something
about Vetch, which / have heard highly
recommended as forage plant for the
south?
ANswER.-As yet this crop is not cul-
tivated to any great extent. A few
men, notably Major Warren of Augusta,
have cultivated it with great success
and a recent special bulletin Of the
United States department of agricul-
ture speaks Of the Hairy, Sand or Rus
sian Vctch (known by all three names)
as one of the most promising fodder
crops introduced into this country in re-
cent years. 1t withstands heat and cold
and drouth, and while it will give fair
crop on poor land, is as are all other for
age crops most profitable on rich and
well prepared land. 1t is eaten with
relish by all farm animals, makes
a most desirable ensilage, and is most
excellent forage plant for soiling pur-
poses. On account of its habit Of growth
it is difficult to euro rs hay. AS to time
of sowing, etc., we quote from the bull
letin: Hairy Vetches may be planted
from about the middle of August to the
middle of September, or in spring from
the latter part of April until the middle
of May. Sow broadcast at the rate of q
bushel and a half of seed per acre. or
plant i'll drills two to four feet apart.
The latter plan will require smaller
amount of seed The seed are as yet
expensive, about Sc a bushel of 60
pounds. When the seed is put in broad
cast bushel of oats, rye or wheat
should be sown at the same time so as
to furnish support for the vetches and
keep the vines off the ground. If it is
sown i'll drills in the latter part of Aug
ust il should be cultivated several times
between the rows. 1t will furnish some
forage in autumn, and where the winter
is not too severe it will start to grow
again i'll the spring, thus producing for.
age in late autumn and early spring, at
the two periods when it is most
needed" AT the Mississippi experiment
station seed Of this crop was sown in
1888. No attention has been given it
and each year its seeds terminate with
the first fall rains, and in favorable sea-
sons cover the ground by J muary l.,
furnishing good grazing until April or
Nov Tf f11o ctCo1r f-% oIr OF w. Nov
the plants mature and reseed the ground
| freely for the next year.
This crop will not flourish on wet
land, it likes a well drained soil. If
sown i'll the fall it prevents washing
during the winter 1t is to be fed when
! the vines begin to blossom, and the feed
should at first be limited until the ami
mails become accustomed to the change
Of food. For the best feeding results it
should be given with coarse fodder or
hay.
| Howard, in his Manual on the "Cul-
tivation of tho Grasses and Forage
| Plants at the South" mentions the
winter and summer vetch and
also one or two native varieties, and
speaks in commentator of their
use both as forage crop, and as an i'm
proven of the soil-more especially in
those soils too sandy for the successful
growth Of red clover. A gentleman of
long experience in its culture, speaks of
the ordinary vetch as one of the simplest
grasses grown. He says that peas do
not excel it as land improver. 1t does
not form sod, is strictly an annual,
but if allowed to mature and drop its
seed. they lie dormant during the
hot days Of summer; then when
the fall rains begin and the nights be-
come longer and cooler, they begin to
terminate and soon cover the ground
One advantage is that there need be
only one seeding, and with proper man.
agement other crops may be made and
taken off and the vetch will again spring
up OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Agricultural
Department,