Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1914-03-20
MORE FIELD PEAS FOR EASTERN
WASHINGTON.
f.. G.. Schafer, Agronomist, Washing
ton State College.

Inc small grain cereals nave
been grown largely to the ex-
clusion of all other field crops on
the farm lands Of eastern Washing
ton during the past rs years.
Through this section summer fal
lowing is practiced extensively and
much OF the land is left bare or with
out a crop one out of two or three
years, The farmers are able to get
somewhat larger yield of wheat
ach second year on such fallow land
,han they would each year where the
ana is continuously cropped. The
returns in general. however do not
iual those of continuous cropping
here a well regulated rotation sys-
ON is followed.
The farmer who is paying for his
md or the man with the smaller
arm feels that he can not operate
$ farm profitably in this manner.
@ IS mat the fallow land repre-
sents too great an investment for
which there is no return. Neither
re the farmers owning the larger
arms and practicing the fallow sys-
TEN satisfied with the returns from
leir investment.
There is a general feeling that
Jther crops should be included in the
cropping system While wheat, oats
and barley are the crops most COM
monty grown, such crops as corn, al
falfa, clover and field peas do well
n many places where there is suffi-
cient moisture. All of the better
hopping systems include some dura-
ton.
Field peas are especially well
adapted to certain sections of eastern
Washington, as the cool nights, so
harmful to some other crops, are
favorable to the growth of peas
They produce an excellent crop and
may be used either for their seed OF
forage value.
In the cropping system, peas may
30 made to follow the small grain
crop. In such case the land should
be plowed in the fall and it will be
III better shape for early spring seed
ing. The soil should be prepared for
seeding in a similar manner as for
grain crops.
Field peas should be seeded at the
rate OF six to eight pecks per acre
and preferably with a common grain
drill. This method of planting will
secure uniform distribution and
depth of seeding.
Peas are resistant to light frost
and grow we'll during cool weather.
For this reason they may be seeded
fairly early in the spring. If a seed
'rop as desired, field peas should be
seeded alone. The grain may be
used either for feed or for seed DUR
poses. When a forage crop is de-
sired field peas are often seeded
with a grain crop; oats aud field
peas making good combination.
1t is we'll to seed the peas somewhat
deeper and from five to seven DAYS
earlier than the oats. Such a crop
may be cut and cured for hay or
may be used for soiling. The best
time for cutting is just before the
grain and peas have matured. About
one bushel each of peas and oats per
acre should be used when they are
seeded together for forage.
Peas are similar to alfalfa and
clover, as they secure nitrogen from
the soil air through the action of
ertain bacteria that grow on their
roots. They remove less plant food
from the soil than grain crops and
leave the soil in good condition for
following crops. Where they can be
grown successfully they should fiji
a prominent place in the cropping