The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1922-02-12

Lespedeza one of the South's great
est legumes, is the title of an in
teresting article prepared for the
Lespedeza Seed Growers Cooperative
Association, Inc, by Dr. r. +, Lewis,
Bains, Louisiana, a prominent farmer
who is specializing in the growing Of
this profitable crop.
While the name, Lcspedeza, was
supposed to have been given this
plant by botanists in 1900; it was
not until 1880 that it received the
attention its merits warranted, as a
commercial farm product, under the
Development of Col j. b. McGehee, Of
Laurel Hill, Louisiana, who recogniz-
ed its value as a feed for farm an
imals and as a soil builder, and who
sang its praises for years. Its place
in southern agriculture is due large
~ to Col. McGehee, says Dr. Lewis.
Lcspedeza is an annual, maturing
its seed in the fall, which shatter
readily and reseed the ground for the
coming year Normally, these seeds
which shatter of at maturing time
remain dormant until the warmth and
moisture terminate them. 1t is the
practice to plant from February Is to
May !.
The stems and branches of the Les
pedcza plant are slender and the
leaves small but very numerous. A
good crop will grow TO the height Of
Is to IS inches, and on fertile soils
80 inches is not unknown 1t is
estimated that a good stand Of Les
pcdeza will represent a ton Of hay
for each 6 inches Of its growth.
This plant will grow on almost any
Of the types Of soil in the cotton belt,
but of course like most other plants
does best on a more fertile, well
drained soil. 1t is thought that no
plant is more suitable to follow cot /
ton. as Lespcdeza brings the soil 1
back to its former state Of fertility I
The custom Of seeding Lespedeza
with oats has become more or less
iXod habit among the producers, as /
he oats, by virtue Of It's shade keeps .
Town weeds and grasses and allows .
he Lespedeza 10 make rapid growth. /
However, just as good crops can be I
Produced when the seed is sown alone;
lut seeding with oats has the advan-
age Of giving the planter twoorops
rom the same ground during the
year, with but one cost Of cultiva-
ion. Experience indicates that ore
,ushei Of seed C25 lbsD per acre is
bout the right amount to be planted
Z requires no incubation, as the
.ough little jackets containing the
eCds carry enough from the fields
rom which they are taken 20 insure
perfect incubation.
No special soil preparation Is nee
.sary. although % has been demon
trsted beyond doubt that soils well
upphed with phosphates viii pro-
luce the greatest growth.
The method Of harvesting the hay
vim depend somewhat on the grade of
ay desired. In any event. the chief
fort should be- directed % the pres
rvation Of the leaves upon the stem
IS they constitute great part Of the
ceding value Cutting b. not started
ntil the plants are in full bloom. and
be- hay should not be cut while tn
ew IS on or while wet from rain.
Little need be- said in favor II Lee N
edeza hay az a feed for al kinds OF
took after looking az the following
comparative analyses. Timothy con-
iirs IS per cent protein. 2s.3 per cent /
arbohydrates and L. per cent fats.
.espedeza contains rs per cent pro- . q
.iu, $40 per cent carbohydrates and {
s per cent fats As compared with ,
Their leKume hays t has the advan- 3
age Of being free from woody growth, I