136 SOILING CROPS AND THE SILO. 



even months later, but not in the north. The bunch 

 varieties will often mature in ninety to one hundred 

 and twenty days from the time of planting. 



Cultivation. Whether cowpeas are sown broad- 

 cast by hand, by the grain drill with all the tubes in 

 use or in rows far enough apart to admit of subse- 

 quent cultivation, the harrow may in many instances 

 be used with advantage before the plants push up 

 through the surface of the soil. A light harrow may 

 also be used when the plants are four or five inches 

 above the surface, and more especially when the 

 peas are planted in rows so that subsequent cultiva- 

 tion can be given to them, as then the horses may 

 be driven along the rows when drawing the harrow 

 so as not to tread down the peas. 



When subsequent cultivation is given between 

 the rows, it must be done with promptness, as the 

 peas, owing to the vine-like character of their growth 

 will soon lie along upon the land and so preclude 

 further cultivation. When strong weeds of a nox- 

 ious character infest the line of the rows they ought 

 to be removed if they are likely to mature their seeds 

 before the peas are harvested. Due attention should 

 be given to this particular, whatsover the kind of 

 crop that is being grown. 



Feeding. The feeding of cowpeas may begin 

 as soon as the first bloom appears. When cut thus 

 early the crop will grow up again, though not under 

 all conditions, and may be cut a second time if the 

 growth will justify using it thus. A second advan- 

 tage from early cutting is found in the greater ease 

 with which the green food may be handled when it 

 is being fed, since the intertwining of the vines is 



