146 



FARM CROPS 



cowpea is not excelled if ever equaled by any 

 other plant. 



As a Food Plant it is rich, succulent, palatable, 

 with a high per cent of protein. It remains in a 

 good condition longer than most other soiling crops. 

 As a silage crop it is also good if mixed with corn 

 or sorghum, but by itself it will not cure very well 

 in the silo. As a hay crop it is excellent, but 



hard to cure in 

 good shape. Its 

 heavy vines and 

 thick, fleshy 

 leaves dry 

 slowly. If sun- 

 dried and han- 

 dled much, the 

 leaves will be 

 lost. The best 

 method to cure 

 cowpeas is to 

 allow the vines 

 to wilt com- 

 pletely, and 

 then put up in 

 narrow high 

 cocks, allow- 

 ing them to 

 remain thus for 

 about a week. It is usually cured through and can 

 safely be stored. Do not make the cocks too high 

 or the hay will mold. The cowpea is a tender bean, 

 and will be killed by a frost the same as a garden 

 bean, but heat, drouth, insects, fungi, etc., it fears 

 not; it will overcome even weeds and continue to 

 make its growth until nipped by frost. 



COWPEA SHOCK 



A shock of green cowpea built on the 

 peavine rack. When shocked in this 

 manner, the hay is left in the field until 

 thoroughly cured, when it is either 

 stored in the barn or placed in large 

 stacks or racks. 



