XIII 



LEGUMES FOR SEED 



COWPEAS 



296. Relationships. Cowpeas (Vigna sinensis (L.) Endl. ; 

 Dolichos sinensis L. ; Vigna catjang Wallp.), or, as more ap- 

 propriately called in Europe, China beans are not properly 

 speaking a pea, although they resemble the pea in form of 

 blossom and fruit. In general appearance, in its habit of 

 growth, and in the character and composition of its seeds, it 

 much more resembles the common field and garden beans 

 (Phase olus) than do soy beans. 



297. Roots. The well developed tap root bears from its 

 upper part large branches which spread out almost horizon- 

 tally from one to two feet when they turn downward, some 

 reaching a considerable depth. Roots 42 inches have been 

 noted, but the bulk of the roots is within 15 inches of the 

 surface. Rootlets and root hairs are numerous. Cowpea roots 

 are nearly white, and the abundant root-tubercles hav,e a ten- 

 dency to follow along certain roots in disconnected chains. The 

 Kansas Station believes that on account of its much stronger 

 and more extensive root system it will not bear as close planting 

 as soy bean. For this reason, also, and because of the readiness 

 and universality with which root-tubercles are formed, it is 

 better adapted to improving the soil. 1 



298. Common Characters. The stems are striped with longi- 

 tudinal grooves and bear three large leaflets, two to six inches 

 long and wide, the terminal one long-stalked and symmetrical, 



i Kansas Sta. Bui. No. 127 (1905), p. 223. 



2 4 I 



