170 THE CHIEF SOUTHERN AGRICULTURAL CROPS 



satisfactoiy variety to be planted for forage purposes. 



It grows well on any land suitable for corn or cotton. 



Crimson clover, vetch, cowpeas, velvet beans, and 



beggar weed have been already discussed under the 



head of green manures. They also constitute the 



most important of all Southern forage crops. The 



cowpea is at present much more widely planted and 



utilized as a forage than any of the others. Where 



it thrives, it is unequalled ; but on light, sandy soils, 



when it is attacked by wilt and nematodes, it becomes 



necessary to substitute either beggar weed or velvet 



beans. The combination of cowpeas and corn in 



summer, followed by vetch in winter, has already 



been mentioned as a rapid means of improving the 



soil. For the stockman and general farmer it has 



the added advantage of furnishing a maximum amount 



of the most nutritious forage. It is a combination 



that is most heartily recommended for all parts of 



the cotton belt. 



Fiber Plants 



There are a large number of fiber plants that could 

 be grown successfully in the Southern states and the 

 American tropics. Only two, however, are now 

 planted widely enough to require special treatment 

 here. Hemp is locally important in certain regions 

 in Kentucky, and there are some otliers such as ramie 

 and Sansevieria that are grown occasionally in a 

 small experimental way. 



Ramie culture would quickly become an important 

 industry if a successful decorticating machine should 

 be invented. Many attempts in this direction have 

 been made, but so far without success. The plant 



