10 The Bulletin. 



being some waste. If the hay was ground, as it is entirely possible 

 to do, as alfalfa now is on a large scale, the ground pea-vine hay 

 should sell as readily as wheat bran, as it has as large value for 

 feed as wheat bran. 



24. A ton of pea-vine hay removes from the soil in round num- 

 bers 47 pounds nitrogen, 10 pounds phosphoric acid, and 29 pounds 

 potash, worth at present prices for fertilizer constituents $10.56. 

 The yield of pea-vine hay on fair to good land is from one to three 

 tons per acre, according to season and variety of peas planted. 

 This shows its high value for soil improvement. It is possible to 

 get the feeding value and in returning the manure to the soil to 

 save a large part of the fertilizing value, provided the manure is 

 well handled. 



25. Around 85 per cent of the fertilizing and soil improving 

 value of the cowpea crop is contained in the hay and 15 per cent in 

 roots and stubble. Where the improvement of the land is the sole 

 or main object the entire crop should be left on the land, as other- 

 wise the soil might be reduced in productiveness if good and 

 judicious fertilization is not followed. 



26. On heavy land small crops of peas may be turned under 

 green and improve the physical condition of the soil, in addition 

 to adding the fertilizer constituents contained in the crop. On 

 light soils it is likely best to allow the vines to die and partially 

 decay on the soil and turn under during the winter or early spring. 

 This is good practice on all kinds of land and especially with large 

 crops. Any loss from remaining on the land during the fall and 

 winter will likely be overcome by the prevention of washing. Where 

 it is desired to use the land in the fall for small grain the peas may 

 be cut up with a disk harrow or other implement and allowed to 

 wilt and dry on the soil and then be turned under. If this can be 

 done some time in advance of planting, so as to allow the rains to 

 settle the soil or else do so by harrowing and rolling, good results 

 will follow. 



