CowPEAS 767 



COWPEA HAY 



Five pecks of seed per acre sown through a grain drill gives a 

 better crop and requires less seed than broadcasting. Good prepa- 

 ration before planting is more economical than intertillage in nar- 

 row rows, although a larger total yield may be secured in the latter 

 way. The crop is cut down with a mowing machine and the vines 

 wilted in the swath. Later they are raked into windrows, and if 

 the weather is bad special devices are used to allow air circulation 

 under and through the haycocks. From two to six days are 

 required to cure the vines so that no moisture can be wrung from 

 the stems by twisting. As with other legumes, the leaves are the 

 most valuable part of the hay and should be preserved in the 

 curing process. 



The growing of cowpeas with Johnson grass, or with German 

 millet, makes the curing process easier. Sorghum is also used 

 to mix with the cowpeas, the Amber variety being recommended 

 for this purpose. One-half bushel of sorghum seed with one bushel 

 of cowpeas per acre are sown through a drill and the mixture har- 

 vested with a mower. The sorghum stalks make an excellent 

 support for the cowpea vines. 



FOR SILAGE 



Cowpeas are grown with corn for silage in the northern part 

 of the cowpea region. The cornstalks serve as supports for the 

 vines and, when the mixed crop is harvested, enough of the ripe 

 cowpea pods can be gathered to furnish seed for next year's plant- 

 ing. Pure cowpea silage is oi>en to the same objection as that 

 made against other legumes. 



FOR SOIL IMPROVEMENT 



B}' far the most important use for cowpeas is found in the 

 increased fertility and improved mechanical condition that follow 

 their culture. The cowpea acquires free nitrogen from the air 

 by means of the bacteria, which cause the fonnation of the tuber- 

 cles on its roots. Probably the most striking examples of tubercle 

 growth and nitrogen-gathering propensity of any annual legume 

 crop are found on the cowpea, where tubercles as large as the end 

 of one's finger are often seen. The most valuable part of this 



