The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-08-15
The SAND VETCH.

Among the various leguninoUs crops
recently introduced into this country
with such manifest advantage to the
farms and to the farmers, there is not
one which, in our judgment, promises
greater results than the sand vetch, or
hairy vetch, as it is sometimes called; !;
and especially is this so in the South,
where our greatest need is something
to cover up the land and continue
growth during winter and thus prevent
the teaching and wasting Of our soils
by the rains. German or crimson
clover is a most valuable plant for this
purpose, but unfortunately it is easily
killed by drouth or the hot sun in the
early fall months when just germinat
ing, and the securing Of a stand has
been found to be great difficulty in
the way of it's adoption with any de.
gree of universally. In many sections
it is largely grown, and it's value Rs a
forage crop and as an improver, is 30
great that no effort should be spared
10 secure at least few acres By max
ing several soWings at intervals during
this month and the next. The sand
vetch has come to us as a valuable ad
junct to this clover. For the past three
or four years it has been tested widely
throughout the country and very fully
in Virginia. 1t has been found to be
perfectly hardy and not nearly so sus.
ceptible to killing by the hot sun or
drouth in the early fall as crimson
clover. Whilst it does not not make
very vigorous growth during the
winter, it yet lives and grows and is
ready to push into quick and Iuxuriant
growth as soon as ever the mild days
of spring set in. When once this
growth starts il continues through wet
and drouth, and the q lantity of forage
made is wonderful. It has made as
high as 45 900 pounds Of green feed to
the acre, and this feed is of the most
nutritious character. It is much richer
in protein Qhe muscle and growth pro-
ducing element) than red clover or
than the COW pea, whilst in fat pro
ducing matter it is nearly the equal of
those plants. AS soil improver it is
richer in nitrogen, phosphoric acid and
potash than any of the clovers or the
COW pea. If intended for forage or hay,
it should be soWn at the rate of 80 or
40 pounds to the acre, with a Sight
seeding Of winter oats, wheat or rye.
This will hold up the vines and make
it easier to cut and harvest the crop.
If only intended as a pasture or an i'm.
prover, SOW alone at the rate OF 40 or
so pounds to the acre. Sow in August,
September or October, on well pre-.
pared land When sown alone it will
make a perfect mat all over the field,
which will continue to increase in
thickness all through the spring and
summer as the vines fall down and
grow through again. One of our sub
scribers had a large field of this vetch
last year, which was sown alone and
intended only as an improVer of the
land, which in the early fall was GOV
cred with mat Of the vines six inches
thick and go dense that not particle
of soil could be seen. When plowed
down the soil was found to be as mel
low and full of vegetable matter aa
possible, and when consolidated with
the roller was in the finest condition |
for the production of a wheat, winter
oat or grass crop Southern Planter |