Legumes 



191 



Cowpeas. The most important legume grown in the South 

 is the cowpea (Fig. 83). It has been cultivated for a long time 

 in Europe, but has been of importance in the United States 

 only for about the past hundred years. It is of tropical origin 

 and does best in warm climates having a long growing season. 



FIG. 83. Cowpeas. 



The plants are used for hay, for pasture, for green-manure, 

 and for the seeds. The hay is about equal in value to alfalfa 

 hay, but it is somewhat less palatable. Cowpeas do not make 

 a very good pasture, but are sometimes used for this purpose 

 for sheep and hogs. As a green-manure crop they are especially 

 valuable. In the South the seeds of some of the many varieties 

 are often harvested for human food. They make a palatable 



