PEAS AS FORAGE AND SOILING CROPS 6 1 



Louisiana experiment station has summarized the 

 advantages of the cowpea as follows : 



1. It is a nitrogen gatherer. 



2. It shades the soil in summer, keeping it in a 

 condition most suitable to the most rapid nitrifica- 

 tion, leaving the soil friable and loose for the suc- 

 ceeding crop. 



3. The cowpea has a large root development, 

 and hence pumps up large amounts of water from 

 great depths, also mineral matter. 



4. Its adaptability to all kinds of soil, stiffest 

 clays to most porous sands, is marvelous. 



5. It stands the heat and sunshine of southern 

 summers. 



6. Its rapid growth enables farmers in the South 

 to grow two crops annually on the same soil. 



7. When sown thickly it shades the soil effec- 

 tually, smothering out all weeds. 



8. It is the best preparatory crop known to the 

 southern farmer, as every kind of crop grows well 

 after it. 



9. It furnishes excellent food in large quantities 

 for both man and animals. 



Cultural principles of the cowpea vary with the 

 latitude and object for which grown. If vines are 

 wanted in the South, the crop is planted early; later 

 planting is the rule if the crop is for seed. Amount 

 of seed to sow depends in a large measure on size 

 of peas and manner of sowing. If broadcasted, one 

 bushel of the smaller to two bushels of the larger 

 varieties will be required. If drilled, six to 16 quarts 

 to the acre is sufficient. The best soil is one which 

 is warm and comparatively moist. Seed will rot 

 if planted too early, and this is why many northern 



