THE BEST LEGUMINOUS PLANTS 171 



that our position was the correct one. North of the south line of Ohio this 

 clover will soldom winter, except in some of the coast States. In the South 

 where the soil is rich enough, it winters well and is a great nitrogen gatherer. 

 In the North, orchardists, small fruit growers and some general farmers 

 testify to its great value as a soil enricher, even though it must be sown anew 

 each season. All this goes to show the wisdom of first trying new things on 

 a small scale." 



This we believe to be the true statement of the case, and we are satisfied 

 that this clover can be made a valuable catch crop in sections where it will not 

 usually winter, by sowing on stubble where the red clover has failed, and thus 

 prevent the loss of a nitrogen gatherer on the land. On the Atlantic coast 

 we have no doubt that it will succeed further north than it does in the Mis- 

 si ssippi Valley. On the northern limit of its culture the seed should be sown 

 early in July. From Virginia southward September is the best month for the 

 sowing, and the place for it is either among corn, or cotton, or on the stubble 

 where peas have been mown. Fifteen pounds of seed should be sown per 

 acre. This year we have sown some among standing corn at last working 

 in July, and it is yet too soon to state whether it will be a success or not. At 

 the present writing (August 9) there is a good stand* 



cow PEAS. 



The greatest of all nitrogen gatherers, at least for all the country south 

 of the Potomac, and for a good area north of that line on the Atlantic coast, 

 is the Southern cow pea. The name pea has led to a great deal of misunder- 

 standing among our Northern friends in regard to the nature of the plant, 

 and we often have inquiries as to whether the Southern pea will do to sow 

 with oats as the Canada pea is sown. The Canada pea is a true pea, but the 

 Southern cow pea (Vigna Catiang) is more nearly allied to the bean, is a 

 tender, hot weather plant, and will not grow till the soil is warm. Hence 

 it cannot be used in connection with oats, since the oats will not thrive if 

 sown at the time peas should be sown, and the peas will not grow if sown at 

 the time the oats should be put in the ground. The only pea to associate 

 with oats in spring is the Canada field pea, of which we will have more to say 

 hereafter. The great advantage of the Southern cow pea is the ease with 

 which the soil can be covered with a nitrogen gathering crop, after the crop 

 of small grain has been harvested, and the immense crop of the most valuable 

 forage, which can be mown the same season. We have often said that the 

 Southern farmer does not need to regret the fact that red clover does not 

 thrive on his lands, for in the cow pea he has a plant that will do all that the 



The Intense beat of September killed it. 



