Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-11
Facts for Farmers, Stock
Breeders. Poultry Raisers.
Orehardists, Truckers and Gar
deners--.Queries and ANSWERS
VALUE OF THE FIELD PEA
AS LEGUME AND OTHERWISE

The field pea, sometimes known as
the Canadian field pea, deserves even
wider use than has been given 1t, ac-
cordinG TO recent farmers bulletin,
The Field Pea Is Il Forage Crop"
published by the United States Depart
mcnt OF Agriculture.
Since the field pea requires a cool
temperature during its growth 1t is
well adapted for spring and summe.
growth in the northern portion OF the
United States and in the comparative
~ high attitudes Of the Rocky Noun
tain region. and for winter growth in
the lower South. 1t is useful on the
:arm as rotation crop for hay. grain.
Stage or green manure. and the peas
may be used in the green state as q
vegetable like garden peas.
The rate of seeding varies with the
size OF the seed of the different va
rieties from one and one-half bushels
for the smallest to three and onc-half
bushels for the largest when broad
casted. When sowed with oas1 the
proportion Of peas to oats should be
iwo-.hirds or one.half The he,i pea
Is hest Sown with a grain drill
Ejaculation is necessary for field
peas unless they arc grown in ground
in which bacteria are already present.
Ia moving the vines. attachments
should be used on the mower which
viii raise the tangled plants from the
ground and prevent cloESinE the cut
ter-bar. Peas may be thresh.i In an
ordinary grain separator with most Cf
tho teeth removed from the concaves
and the speed OF the cylinder reduced.
The vines should be cut for seed
when the pods are fully mature and
the peas firm. For hay they are cut
earlier. when most Of the pods are
we'll formed. when grown for hay
peas are usually planted with oats o.
some other grain crop.
When intended for use in SilOs. peas
usually are planted with bald barley
and cut when the latter is ripe. Pea
ensi!aGe has a higher feeding value
than corn ensilagc. but should be fed
III connection with a grain ration. II
is especially good for dairy cattle, but
also has given excellent results in
fatten!ng beef cattle and sheep. When
peas are grown for green manure. IL
large-vined sort should he selected
The most favorable time for plowins
under is when tho lower pods arc well
filled. Il should he remembered that
the use of green manure crop is prof.
table only in sections where sufficient
soil moisture is present To cause the
quick dccay OF the vegetable matter
turned under
Although peas arc pastured in some
regions. many farmers are discontinue
ing tho practice because they con-
slider i; wastcfui. and are harvesting
all or a part OF their crop and feed
ing il IN feed lot The use OF alfalfa
or sweet clover pasture in connection
with tho feeding Of field peas notice
ably increase the rapidity with which
animals gain in weight.
The pea wecvil is tho most serious
insect enemy OF the field pea Eggs
arc laid on tho young pod and the
larva. on Matching. borcs into the
young pea. Tho insect may he COM
batcd hy fumgatinS the seed before
planting. or, whore IL has gained n
strong foothold. by disseminating the
growing of peas for several years.
rowdcry mildcw and leaf spot or pea
blight are the chief diseases OF the
field. Rotation Of crops is the best
remedy If the diseases affect con-
Siderable area. Small areas may be
snr. Ncd with RordeauX miXture.