256 FORAGE CROPS 



shape and form. The period of mature growth 

 also varies, the varieties ranging in time of 

 maturity from two to six months, although the 

 habit of plant bears some relation to the period, 

 for the more nearly the plant approaches the bush 

 form, the shorter the time required for maturity. 



In order to choose the proper variety, the object 

 of its cultivation should be clearly established. 

 When short, quick growth and maturity are re- 

 quired, then the bush varieties should be chosen, 

 particularly in the North; whereas, if the purpose 

 i« to produce much forage and the period of growth 

 can be extended, the vining varieties are likely to 

 be more useful. When grown primarily for green 

 forage, the period in which they nnist grow should 

 determine the variety. It is more difficult to choose 

 varieties for the North than for the South, as the 

 plant has not been so carefully studied in this sec- 

 tion. In the more northern sections, the Early 

 Black, Small Black, Black Eye, Mt. Olive, South- 

 down, Red Ripper, Whippoorwill, Wonderful, Clay, 

 New Era, and Iron have proved excellent for the 

 various purposes for which cowpeas are grown. 

 Early Black, Black Eye, New Era and Mt. Olive 

 are superior when the seed crop is desired, as they 

 mature quickly; the others are better adapted for 

 forage and green manure. The cowpea varies so 

 widely in its habits of growth that it is possible to 

 select varieties suitable to all conditions. 



