The Little River news., 1917-05-02
THE NATION CALLS;
 RAISE -FOODSTUFFS
Velvet Beans a Valuable CroP-te Also Furnishes Much nay
 and Grain.
l.. w. Osborn, Arkansas Experiment
 Station.

 comparatively low price, the farmers of the state can we'll afford to use some velvet beans in the place or COW peas.
 Experiments Give Much Valuable Information.
 While sufficient data has not yet been accumulated to warrant recon- mendations concerning the adaptation of the velvet bean to different soils and conditions found in the state, nev- ertheless it is interesting to kno" 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 uable information concerning the be- havior of different varieties, both in the northern and southern districts or 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
  and the one at Fayetteville week later. A description and comparison of the time of the most important va rieties grown follow:
 important Varieties. 1okohoma, an early variety, began blooming August II, at Fayetteville, and matured September 25, requiring l3O days to mature The variety pro- duces a large, rather flat, 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 fo- liaged types.
 Wakulla, also an early variety be- gan blooming August IA and matured October G. The variety yielded about he 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 1, but failed to
 
 l heaviest yielders of forage in both tests The variety matured in good season at Monticello and produced a | good yield of seed The seeds of Os- ceola are somewhat larger than those of the speckled bean, rather Hat and mottled The variety is one of the most promising tested.
 Early speckled velvet beans. com monly called the 100 day speckled, be- gan blooming September 1 and show ed only a few immature pods by o. tober 6, at Fayetteville. The variety fully matured before frost at Monh cello and produced heavy yield Cf 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 tin7.o of ma turity and is probably safe during av- craze seasons as far north as Little Rock
 The Chinese variety, considered medium late in time of maturity be- gan blooming September 8 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 Oseeola 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 Faye,to- vile and matured about sixty per cent of it's seed at Monticello The Late Speckled produced a heavy fo, liaGe and fruited heavily at Monticel- To, but failed to mature. This variety | began blooming in early October at Fayetteville.
 Give Much Hay.
 The yield per acre of green vines df different varieties varied from about 7,500 pounds to 18,000 pounds, and air-dry hay from about 4,6oO pounds to 5000 pounds.
 Plant Only in Warm Soil.
 The crop should not be planted ur- til the ground is thoroughly warm. The best results are usually secured by planting the velvet beans in com i bRation with a 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 velvet bean field and especially 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 2 naIatabIa nitrOpenOus feed for live.