268] VET nure for wheat intended to be sown in the succeeding autumn. In the county of Gloucester, the Winter Vetch is cuhivated as pasturage for horses, and is eaten off so early, as to admit of turnips being raised in the same year. 3. The Pebble Vetch, is sown in the spring, but is seldom culti- vated ; because it is less hardy than cither of the preceding varieties, and does not produce an equal quantity of fodder. V, The lathyroides : Str. glb Vetch, or Tare, abounds in dry pastures, gravel-piisandcorn-fields, in chalky and sandy soils ; where its small blueish-purple flowers ap- pear in the month of May. Its culture should be encouraged in sloping grounds, and sandy hills exposed to the sun ; as it affords tlie most tender and agreeable food to sheep. Beside the different kinds above enumerated, there is another, call- ed the Chinese Fetch, which was a few years since introduced into England : its culture is at pre.sent confined chiefly to the county of Glamorgan, where it grows in tufts, from 18 to 24 inches in height. This species promises to be very profitable to agriculturists ; as it is said to yield four crops in the year, and to afford food excellent for cattle, both in a fresh state, and when made into hay. VETCH, the Bitter, or Wood Peaslikg, Orolus sylvaticus, L. an indigenous perennial, growing in woods, hedges, and pastures, especially in mountainous situa- tions ; where it flowers from May to July. This hardy plant is chiefly cultivated in gardens, for the beau- ty of its numerous blossoms j either by sowing it in autumn, or by di- viding the roots : the latter being VET very nutritious, are in Scotland ap- plied to die same uses as those of the Heath PEA.—The leaves of the Bitter Vetch are much more relish- ed by cattle, and especially by game. VETCH, the Chickling, or VETCHtiNG, Lathyrus, L. a genus of plants consisting of 13 species, 7 being indigenous j and the princi- pal of these are : 1. The Aphacn, or Yellow Vetchli KG, grows in sandy corn- fields, and meadows, where its greenish - yellow flowers appear from June to August. — Dr. Wi- thering remarks, that the legu- minous fruit of this, as well as the other species of Vetchling, are very nutritious, and may be eaten either in broth, or be converted into head ; though a larger proportion of wheaten or rye-flower be re- quired for such purpose. 2. The syhestrii. See Pea, the Narrow-leaved Everlasting. 3. The pratensis, Everlast- ing Tare, Common Yellow, or Me A DOM' Vetchling, which abounds in pasture - lands, in woods, thickets, and hedges : it grows to the height of 6 feet; flowers in July and August, This species is reputed to be an useful vegetable in the feeding of cattle j though Mr. SwAYNE remarks, that they seldom eat it, if there be a variety of other grasses in the same field ; and, as it produces few seeds, which are mostly devoured by in- serts, it does not appear to merit attention. Nevertheless, Bech- sTEiN observes, that the Yelloy Vetchling, both in a fresh and dry state, aftbrds excellent food for cat- tle in general, and therelore de- serves to be cultivated in meadows. 4.The/fl///b/ia5,BROAi»-LEAVEO VETCHUSG,OrETIirBLASTINGp£A, i|
