96 FIELD AND GARDEN PRODUCTS 



obtained the first year: Secure a quantity of soil, equal to the 

 amount of seed to be planted^ from a field which has recently pro- 

 duced a crop of velvet bean, and just previous to planting moisten 

 the seed and mix it with this soil. In this way the field is supplied 

 with the micro-organisms which are necessary for the normal devel- 

 opment of the velvet bean. 



Its Uses. The first and most important use to which the velvet 

 bean may be applied is perhaps that of soil renovation. In Florida 

 much of the land is abundantly supplied with humus or organic 

 matter, and nitrogen, though it is equally true that the greater por- 

 tion of the Florida soils is very deficient in these important sub- 

 stances. The velvet bean can accomplish for these poor soils of 

 Florida what the cow-pea can do for all the southern states. For us, 

 however, the velvet bean has greater advantages and is to be pre- 

 ferred. Under the head of culture it has already been indicated that 

 the plant is an excellent one from which forage may be obtained. 

 It may be used as green pasturage, harvested and converted into 

 hay, or cattle and hogs may be turned in after maturity and the 

 crop thus converted into meat at low cost. It has been used by some 

 as a cover crop and as such proved satisfactory. The pods after 

 grinding furnish a food rich in protein that is relished by poultry, 

 cattle and hogs. This food is now on the market in some parts of 

 the state. For many years it has been used as an ornament and as 

 such is still in high favour. (Florida Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui. 60.) 



THE COWPEA.* 



The nativity of several economic plants that have been in cul- 

 tivation for a very long period is extremely difficult of determina- 

 tion. This difficulty is especially great in the case of the cowpea 

 (Vigna unguiculata) , because of its similarity to some other legu- 

 minous plants likewise in cultivation for several centuries, and the 

 vague way in which these plants were described or alluded to by 

 early authors. 



Cowpeas for Hay. Good cowpea hay is fully as valuable a food, 

 pound for pound, as red clover hay, and very nearly equal in value 

 to alfalfa or to wheat bran. The principal value of this hay lies in 

 its high percentage of digestible protein, which is nearly four times 

 that of timothy hay. One reason why cowpeas are not more exten- 

 sively used as a hay crop is the difficulty often experienced in curing 

 the large growth of succulent vines. Where proper care is taken 

 in curing, especially where sorghum or a similar plant is grown 

 with it in mixture, it is not a difficult matter to make good cowpea 

 hay unless the weather is decidedly unfavorable. 



When grown for hay production cowpeas are nearly always 

 broadcasted or put in with a grain drill any time from May 15 to 

 July 15. The quantity of seed used to the acre ranges from one 

 to two bushels, broadcasting requiring from one-fourth to one-third 

 more than is necessary when using a grain drill. The quantity 

 most commonly used and which gives the most general satisfaction 

 when the seed is put in with a grain drill is five pecks to the acre. 

 The use of a grain drill is decidedly superior to broadcasting. 



For illustration, see page 393. 



