THE HAY CEOP 



153 



sheep, and hogs. Alfalfa and corn fed together 



make a finely balanced food for stock, because the 



food element that is lacking in 



corn is found in alfalfa; and 



what alfalfa lacks, corn will 



supply. Not only is alfalfa the 



best forage food for stock, but it 



will do more even than clover to 



build up the soil. Its roots go 



down very deep, and thus it 



gets food where no other farm 



crop can. 



The Cowpea. The cowpea is 

 another legume and is a cousin 

 to the clover and alfalfa. It has 

 come to be an important hay 

 crop in our Southern states, for 

 it likes warm climates. It will 

 grow on almost any kind of soil 

 that is not too wet. Like clover, 

 the cowpea will make good hay 

 or green feed, and it enriches 

 the soil. 



The cowpea is an annual plant 

 and resembles the bean. Some 

 varieties are bush-like while 

 others are trailing. As it is difficult to cure without 

 losing the leaves, it is sometimes grown with German 

 millet to help save the leaves and to assist in speedy 

 curing. 



Courtesy Santa Fe R, R. 



Fig. 84. Alfalfa plant 

 showing long tap- 

 root. 



