254 THE FORAGE AND FIBER CROPS IN AMERICA 



tion. By cultivation, however, the Arkansas Station has ob- 

 tained increased yields of peas, ranging from 50 to 100 per cent. 

 If sown between maize rows, they and the maize may and may 

 not get a cultivation after cowpeas are planted. When sown 

 alone for hay, pasture or fertilizers, no cultivation is ordinarily 

 received or required. When planted for seed, they may be 

 cultivated as for field beans or maize, about two cultivations 

 being generally sufficient. For clean culture, one hoeing is 

 generally necessary, although this operation is usually looked 

 upon as unprofitable. Attempts are made to avoid this by using 

 the weeder after the plants have developed several leaves and 

 the stems have become toughened. 



In view of the danger of fungous diseases, this practise is 

 questionable, even where the soil is such as to make the weeder 

 otherwise practicable. The young plants are, like all beans, 

 tender and easily broken, requiring careful cultivation. Culti- 

 ation should not occur when plants are wet, for reasons given 

 under field beans. (268) Cultivation should cease with the 

 first appearance of pods, when the crop is intended for hay, since 

 cultivation tends to prolong the period of growth, and hence 

 to make curing more difficult. 



316. INSECT ENEMIES. The cowpea is subject to the attack of the common 

 bean weevil (271), but is more frequently attacked by the Chinese cowpea weevil 

 (Bruchus chinensis L.) and the four-spotted bean weevil (B. quadrimaculatus 

 Boh.), both of which appear to be specific enemies of the cowpea. They are 

 generally distributed in the South, and are increasingly injurious with the 

 increased area devoted to cowpeas. The size and life history of both species 

 are similar to that of the bean weevil; hence their injury and the remedies 

 therefor are similar. The firefly (Lampyridae) was observed by the Louisiana 

 Station x to visit frequently cowpea flowers, which subsequently failed to 

 produce fruit. Since the percentage of fructification was higher in plants 

 which had been covered than in those exposed, it was believed that the firefly 

 was largely responsible. 



317. Diseases. The cowpea is subject to two serious diseases, 

 the cowpea wilt (Neocosmospora vasinjecta, var. tracheiphila 



i Louisiana Sta. Bui. No. 40 (1896), p. 1448. 



