Common Vetch
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 Vicia sativa plants showing different flower colors
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| Vicia sativa L. |
Common Vetch (Vicia sativa), also known as Tare, is a nitrogen fixing leguminous plant. Although considered a weed when found growing in a cultivated grainfield, this hardy plant is often grown as green manure or livestock fodder. It is also sometimes known as "tare", though there is no firm evidence that this is the same as the plant given that name in English language translations of the Bible.
[edit] Cultivation
When intended as fodder, the seed is sown densely, up to 250 kg/hectare. However, when grown for seed, less seed should be used; otherwise the crop will be too thick thereby reducing flower and seed production. When meant for seed, sowing is done early in the planting season for good returns; but, when for green food, any time between the first of April and the latter end of May is suitable. Sometimes, a full crop can be obtained even when sown as late as mid-June, though sowing so late is not recommended.
After the seed is sown and the land carefully harrowed, a light roller ought to be drawn across, to smooth the surface and permit the scythe to work without interruption. Also, the field should be watched for several days to prevent pigeons, who are remarkably fond of tares, from eating much of the seed.
Horses thrive very well on Common Vetch, even better than on clover and rye grass; and the same applies to fattening cattle, who feed faster on vetch than on most grasses or other edible plants. Danger often arises from livestock eating too much vetch, especially when podded; colics and other stomach disorders are apt to be produced by the excessive loads devoured.
[edit] History
Common Vetch has also been part of the human diet as attested by carbonised remains since the early Neolithic.
