The Harrison times., 1917-05-19
Experiments Give Much Valuable
information.

been accumulated to warrant recon-
mendations concerning the adaptation
Of the velvet bean to different soils
and conditions found in the state, new
ertheless it is interesting to know
that in the experiments undertaken
at the main experiment station at
Fayetteville and at Monticello in CO
operation with the Agricultural School
and c. c. Randall, county agent, the
results of these tests give much val
liable information concerning the be-
havior of different varieties, both in
the northern and southern districts OF
the state. The varieties in both tests
were planted in rows four feet apart
and the plants were spaced one and
one-half feet apart in the row. The
test at Monticello was planted May s
and the one at Fayetteville week
later. A description and comparison
of the time of the most important va
rieties grown follow:
important Varieties.
IokohOma, an early variety, began
blooming August II, at Fayetteville,
and matured September 25, requiring
130 days to mature. The variety pro-
duces a large, rather fiat, kidney
shaped bean, grayish white in color.
The variety yielded fairly well, but
should be grown in closer rows than
the later maturing and heavier TO-
liaged types.
Wakulla, also an early variety, be.
gan blooming August IA and matured
October 6. The variety yielded about
the same as the Yokahoma. The seeds
are somewhat larger than the speck-
led bean and are mottled.
Osceola, a medium maturing varie-
ty began blooming August 20 and
formed large, well filled pods at Fay
etteville, by October l. but failed to
mature. The variety was one of the
heaviest yielders Of forage in both
tests The variety matured in good
season at Monticello and produced
good yield of seed. The seeds Of Os-
ceola are somewhat larger than those
of the speckled bean, rather fiat, and
mottled. The variety is one Of the
most promising tested
Early speckled velvet beans, COM
monty called the 100 day speckled, be-
gan blooming September 1 and show
ed only few immature pods by o.
tober 6, at Fayetteville. The variety
fully matured before frost at Monti-
cello and produced heavy yield CT
seed and forage. The seeds are round
ish in shape and mottled. This vari-
ETY. is the most common one grown
in all except the more Southern sec
tions Of the Cotton Belt. The variety
is considered medium in time Of ma
turity and is probably safe during av.
erage seasons as far north as Little
Rock.
The Chinese variety, considered
medium late in time Of maturity, be-
gan blooming September s and pro-
duced only small immature pods at
Fayetteville. At Monticello the pods
became long and extra heavy, but did
not mature. The beans are large and
quite similar in appearance to those
of the Yokahoma. The variety pro-
duced a heavy yield of forage in both
tests, eXcelling the Osceola and Early
Speckled to some extent,
The Lyon Velvet Bean and the Late
Speckled variety are both late in time
Of maturity The Lyon variety began
blooming September 10 at Fayette-
vile and matured about sixty per
cent Of its seed at Monticello. The
Late Speckled produced a heavy 70.
liage and fruited heavily at MOntiCel.
10, but failed to mature. This variety
began blooming in early October at
Fayetteville.
Give Much Hay.
The yield per acre of green vines Of
different varieties varied from about
$500 pounds to $4,000 pounds, and
air.dry hay from about 1900 pounds
to 5000 pounds.
Plant Only in Warm Soil.
The crop should not be planted un-
til the ground is thoroughly warm.
The best results are usually secured
by planting the velvet beans in com.
bination with crop such as corn or
sorghum, which will support the
vines. This can be done by widening
the rows OF corn and sorghum and
planting the velvet beans through the
center. On rich land the beans, when
planted in the drill with corn, tend to
cover up the corn.
Produces Valuable Pasture.
The pasture from a velvet bean field
and especially a velvet bean-corn
stalk field, becomes valuable during
the fall and early winter. Since the
seed is produced in comparatively
large punches, the gathering Of the
seed Is not difficult The seed and
pods. when ground together make a
palatable nitrogenous feed for live.
stock worth about one.half as much
rs high.grade cotton seed meal.