IXTliomCTlON. 



This Itiill(*rni liivcs tlic results of exiMM'iiiieiits made 

 at Anlmrn dn liiiu llic pasi six vcars. The experiiiients> 

 have l»een idaiiiie<l and diicM-ted hy the writer and all 

 the weiiihiiiL^s and suiiervision of lalxir have been Id 

 cliar;^!' of Mr. T. V. Culver. 



Our work with cowix^as is divisilde into two parts, 

 lliat whirh rehites to their cullivation and u«e as forage 

 l>hints and that wliicli takes note of their value as fer- 

 tilizers or soil iniprovin^u' i»lants. This hulletin treats 

 only of the tirst division of the subject. Our nexit bulle- 

 tin will record results showing the fertilizin*;- value of 

 cowpeas and the best methods of disposing of this plant 

 when the improvement of the soil is the principal aim. 



Tlu^ cowpea is highly appreciated bv the best farmers 

 in every southern state, yet several times as many acres 

 as at present might be devoted to it with advantage. 



An enormous increase in the acreage of cowpeas would 

 do more, we think, than any other immediately practica- 

 ble reform to cnre the ills of southern farming, to enrich 

 the soil, to raise the acreage yield of all other crops, to 

 build up the live stock industries, and to promote diver- 

 sified farming. 



Time for Planting Cowpeas. 



The cowpea is yqvy tender as regards cold. It is 

 strictlv a hot weather plant and the seed should not be 

 planted until the soil is quite warm. It can be planted 

 as early as the beginning of the cotton planting season. 

 But such early planting is nnwise in itself as well as 

 in conflict with other work that is imperative in April. 



Usually nothino- is gained by planting before the first 

 of ]\fay, and our largest yields of seed have been obtained 



