Oct. 2, 1908.] Agrimdturat Gazette of N.S. W. 809 



form readily assimilable by the next crop. The organic matter provides humus 

 and increases the moisture-holdinc; capacity of the soil. AVliilst the plant is 

 growing the thick rich spreading foliage covers the ground, arrests evaporation, 

 stops the growth of weeds, and keeps the soil in a loose friable condition. 



It is an ideal cleansing crop and pays its way in furnishing stock fodder, 

 and in addition the soil is enriched with humus, nitrogen, potash and phos- 

 phoric acid, fertility is restored, and the land effectively manured for a main 

 crop. In short, to use a familiar farmer's phrase, the land is brought into 

 " ijood heart.' 



As a food for stock, particularly pigs, during the latter part of summer w& 

 have had abundant evidence of its Hesh-producing capacity, and, as with 

 lucerne, its power to provide a suitable intermixture of lean ilesh in bacon 

 and pork. Young pigs, 3 months' old, when building up frame and tissue, 

 make excellent progress on cowpeas balanced with rye, wheat, barley, pota- 

 toes, or maize. The ration can be modified to suit the needs of the animal 

 as it approaches the fattening stages. The foliage of the plant may be 

 utilised for providing green forage, or allowed to ripen sufficiently for hay or 

 silage, or the beans can be used as pig-feed. As a fodder, the yield per 

 acre varies, and is determined by the variety grown, soil, cultivation, and 

 climate. At this College quantity has ranged from 4 to 12 tons of green 

 feed per acre. The composition will average as follows : — 



Water ... ... ... ... ... 84 per cent. 



Dry matter ... ... . ... 16 ,, 



The dry matter contains : — 



Fat 



Protein 



Carbohydrati-s . . . 



Mineral ash 



Nutritive ratio 



It will be noted that it closely resembles lucerne in feeding value, and can 

 be fed with equally good results. It contains nearly double the digestive 

 nutrient of oats, and 40 per cent, more than maize. Tests have demonstrated 

 that pigs fed on cowpeas, with maize, have produced a high-class bacon. 

 Owing to changed soil conditions and environment the cowpea has varied 

 from time to time, hence there are many sorts. Over thirty from America 

 and India have been tested on this farm. Variation ranges between two 

 distinct classes, one class being upright in growth, compact, bushy in habit, 

 and without runners ; the other producing long, trailing vines, or runners, and 

 spreading well over the soil. 



The first or bush varieties are noted for their heavy, quick growth, and 

 succulence. Amongst these the following have proved most successful on this 

 farm — Poona and Chinese Mottled. In hot dry districts, with a sparse rain- 

 fall, cowpeas take longer to mature. The best sorts are those of trailing or 

 recumbent habit. They possess a deep root-growth and are better enabled td 

 withstand drought. The sorts recommended are — Black, New Era, Clay, 

 Whip-poor- Will, and White. It should be remembered that cowpeas readily 

 alter their habits in response to local conditions of soil and moisture. 



