LEGUMINOUS PLANTS. 135 



On the average southern soil, superphosphates 

 seem to be the great need of the cowpea crop. The 

 fertilizer would seem to increase the crop in propor- 

 tion as it is used, up to the extent of 400 pounds per 

 acre. But a light application, as light as fifty pounds 

 per acre, will render much benefit to the same if 

 incorporated with the soil in proximity to the seed. 

 When the peas are planted in rows and cultivated, 

 the superphosphates should be thus applied, but when 

 they are broadcasted or sow r n with the grain drill, 

 all the tubes running, the fertilizer may also be 

 broadcasted and incorporated with the soil near the 

 surface while the peas are being sown. 



Solving. The time for sowing cowpeas will 

 depend upon the climate and the purpose for which 

 the peas are sown. Evidently the period during 

 which they may be sown will, in some localities, 

 cover several months. But in no case should they 

 be sown before both soil and weather have become 

 warm, otherwise the seed will be almost certain to 

 rot in the soil. This peculiarity of the cowpea 

 stands much in the way of growing it successfully 

 in the north. The seed of this plant should seldom 

 be sown earlier than the late corn planting season. 



Whether the seeds should be sown broadcast, 

 with the grain drill, using all the tubes, or only some 

 of them, will depend upon conditions. The aim 

 should be to avoid broadcasting them, since when 

 thus sown it is not easy to cover them with the har- 

 row so that the rain will not wash them out. But 

 the disk harrow, followed by the ordinary harrow, 

 could be made to provide a sufficient covering when 

 the seed is thus broadcasted. If sown for sheep 

 pasture, ordinarily the seed drill ought to be used, 



