208 VIGNA CATJANG (cOWPEA) 



The cowpea might be planted at any lime of the year, 

 but owing to the attacks of the bean-lly Agromyza, which in 

 certain months of the year ravages the cowpea as well as 

 all other Phaseoli, the time of sowing must be chosen with 

 discrimination. This insect is found to a certain extent 

 everywhere, and the only months when it disappears, or, 

 rather, during which its action is very much weakened, are, 

 in Mauritius, from October to February-March. 



Every portion of the cowpea plant may be utilized. It 

 is generally sold and eaten in the dry seed state, but its 

 cultivation might acquire considerable importance for con- 

 sumption in the green state; the pods if picked before mature 

 might make a perfect substitute for French beans as a table 

 vecyetable. M. Boname has estimated that more than 

 16,500 lb. of green pods might be harvested to the hectare, 

 and, in addition, there would be the stems as fodder for live 

 stock. 



Viewed from no matter what standpoint the cowpea 

 should play a very important part in crop rotations. It is 

 said that it does not thrive everywhere, notwithstanding the 

 fact that in America it is cultivated under most varied 

 climates. It is suited to every soil, as, like all Leguminosae, 

 it has the property of enriching the .soil in nitrogen. Mr. 

 Smith, of the United States Agricultural Department, calls 

 it, in his report for 1896, " the poor man's bank." It should 

 be noted, however, that the maximmn of yield and develop- 

 ment will depend upon the conditions of cultivation. If it is 

 planted for a crop of green manure it should be ploughed 

 under immediately it begins to bloom. When cut before 

 that period the stems furnish a superior quality forage, 

 which may be either used green or dried for keeping 

 purposes. If the object of the cultivation is a seed crop 

 the dead leaves will do for fodder, but they are only employed 

 as such in countries where the feeding of live stock is dif^cult. 



The seeds are consumed either husked or in the dry state; 

 India and Madagascar export large numbers. 



