38 MISC. PUBLICATION 194, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



When cowpeas are grown alone the best time to begin grazing with 

 cattle or sheep is when the first pods are mature. There is some 

 danger from bloating, but this danger is much less than in grazing 

 alfalfa or clover. Gains of 2 pounds per head per day for 90 days have 

 been obtained by grazing cowpeas with steers and giving them a light 

 ration of cottonseed meal. 



NAPIER GRASS 



Napier grass is an imported plant, known in the West Indies and in 

 Africa, its original home, as elephant grass because of its large size. In 

 habit of growth and the method of planting, it resembles sugarcane 

 very much. It is a perennial, but will not endure continuous grazing, 

 and is therefore most useful as a supplemental pasture and for silage. 

 It is more or less tropical in its climatic adaptations, being grown prin- 

 cipally in the Gulf States and in irrigated districts of New Mexico, 

 Arizona, and southern California. 



The stems of Napier grass are coarse, and the leaves are long and 

 harsh. Notwithstanding this, cattle appear to relish the grass, and be- 

 cause of its vigorous growth and adaptability to a wdde variety of soil 

 types it excels most plants in the quantity of feed produced during the 

 summer months. The stems grow to a height of 10 to 12 feet in clumps 

 of 30 or more. After it has been grazed heavily for a few weeks the 

 animals should be removed so that the Napier grass maj" renew its 

 growth. The best method of propagation is planting seed canes 3 feet 

 apart in furrows about 6 feet apart. The cuttings or seed canes may 

 also be pushed into freshly prepared land in rows at the intervals 

 indicated. 



KUDZU 



Kudzu is a perennial leguminous vine suitable to the South. The 

 vines make an annual growth of 30 to 50 feet but are commonly killed 

 by the first freeze, except where they have rooted at the nodes. The 

 foliage is palatable, and kudzu may readily be overgrazed. Unless 

 the plants are allowed to store reserved food in the roots they wiE 

 decline in productivity and finally die. Kudzu is therefore especially 

 suitable for supplemental pastures on to which cattle may be turned 

 for several days at a time. Constant grazing is sure to kill it. Hogs 

 will destroy kudzu by feeding on the roots. 



CROPS FOR LATE FALL, WINTER, AND EARLY SPRING GRAZING 



ITALIAN RYEGRASS 



Italian ryegrass is a leafy, short-lived grass, usually an annual. 

 When seeded in the spring, late summer, or early fall it makes rapid 

 growth and furnishes grazing in a remarkably short time. It is tender, 

 very palatable to livestock, and has excellent carrying capacity; the 

 plants grow from 2 to 3 feet in height and make excellent hay. When 

 not seeded too thick, it makes an excellent nurse crop for spring- 

 seeded permanent pastures and lawns. In the South, Italian r^^egrass 

 is used extensively for fall-seeded winter pastures. It is not so winter- 

 hardy as many other grasses, including timothy and orchard grass, 

 and is grown principally in sections 5-a, 1-b, 2-a, and 2-b. Heavy 

 pasturing is quite desirable, as it keeps the grass in a succulent condi- 

 tion and utilizes aU the forage produced during its short period of 

 growth. 



