THE COWPIjA 257 



Time and method of seeding 



The time for seeding the cowpea depends on 

 the weather. The crop should not be sown until 

 danger of frost is past, and the soil is thoroughly 

 warm. In cold, backward springs many failures 

 have been recorded because of too early seeding; 

 the seed is then liable to rot, and if uniform and 

 quick germination does take place, the crop is re- 

 tarded and is likely to be unsatisfactory even if 

 warm weather follows. This is particularly true 

 when cowpeas are grown for green forage or hay. 

 Neither should they be sown for forage later than 

 two months before the average date of frost, as 

 the first heavy frost will destroy the plants and no 

 variety that is now known will reach a satisfactory 

 stage of growth within this period except as green - 

 manure. 



For forage and green manure, the crop may be 

 sown broadcast at the rate of one to one and one- 

 half bushels per acre, or it may be drilled in with 

 an ordinary grain- drill. If the seeding is not 

 made too early, broadcasting is very satisfactory. 

 If early growth is retarded, weeds get a foothold, 

 and the crop is likely to be choked out. When 

 the crop is grown for seed, planting should prefer- 

 ably be in drills, from two to three feet apart, or 

 a little closer than corn, and the quantity of seed 

 may be reduced to three pecks per acre. When 



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