33 



While the latter is a possibility, we are unable to re- 

 port any test made here of a pea-picking machine. It is 

 to be hoped that the pea picker may be further simplified 

 and especially that its price, which, as quoted to us, 

 was prohibitiye, being seyeral times that of a mo\yer, 

 may be «Teatly reduced. 



In 1898 we made a test of pulling Wonderful cowpeas 

 when fully matured and beating -them out with a flail. 

 Even with hands unaccustomed to the work, pulling was 

 much more rapid than picking, the rate per man being 

 one and one-fourth acres per day. The process of beating 

 out the peas was much slower, and this tedious work, to- 

 gether with the increased loss from shattered peas when 

 the yines were pulled, and the removal of the plant 

 food contained in the roots, were serious objections to 

 this method. Apparently under some conditions it can 

 be used to advantage as compared Avith picking. 



Cutting the mature vines with a scythe early Iti the 

 morning when there was least danger from shattering, 

 was quite satisfactory, especially with the Xew Era 

 variety, as it doubtless would be with any bunch pea on 

 Avhich the pods all ripen at about the same time and 

 from which the leaves are dropped by the time the pods 

 are mature. Scvthing will doubtless be more satisfac- 

 tory with peas sown late because of their more erect 

 and less tangled condition. The blade should be kept 

 sharp to avoid shattering. 



We have not tried the mower in harvesting cowpeas 

 for seed because so many of the peas after cut- 

 ting would be trampled over by the team in making 

 its next round. The work of the reaper in 

 green i)eavines indicated that it would be a satisfactory 

 machine for harvesting mature cowpeas where the vines 

 are not tangled. 



Preliminary tests in running pea vines through a grain 

 thresher vn.th concave removed, resulted in breaking 

 about half the seed. 



