108 FIELD AND GARDEN PRODUCTS 



the same color as that of the Unknown and the Iron, but is inter- 

 mediate in size and flatter and longer. 



Black. This is used to a considerable extent in the sandy 

 coastal plain soils of Virginia and North Carolina. On heavy clay 

 land this variety makes a very heavy growth of vine, but produces 

 very little seed, while on the sandy lands it grows more bushy and 

 fruits quite heavily. It also finds some demand in the sugar-cane 

 section of Louisiana, where it is grown with corn in rotation with 

 sugar-cane. Where other varieties thrive the Black is not a favor- 

 ite. The seeds are quite large and entirely black. 



Taylor. This variety has larger seeds than any other cow- 

 pea. The seeds have nearly the same marking as those of the 

 New Era, though the ground color is somewhat lighter. The Tay- 

 lor cowpea has met with considerable favor in Maryland and Dela- 

 ware, where it is erroneously called the Gray Crowder, but outside 

 of this region does not seem to be a very valuable variety. In most 

 cases it is too much of a trailer to be desirable. It also has a tend- 

 ency to drop its leaves earlier than any of the other varieties except 

 the Black. 



Red Ripper. This is a valuable pea, as it makes nearly as 

 large a growth as the Unknown, or Wonderful, and is excellent for 

 growing in corn. It is very late, usually maturing but a small 

 number of peas at Washington, D. C. It is difficult to procure seed 

 of it in quantity on account of its light yield. The seed is dark 

 red and about the same size as that of the Whippoorwill variety. 



Results of Tests of Varieties of Cowpeas. The number of 

 tests of varieties of cowpeas conducted throughout the state in 1907 

 was 71. Of these 57 consisted of the regular sets of four varieties 

 each. The chief object of these tests was to determine the relative 

 yields of total dry matter for forage or hay. The production of 

 seed was not considered so important. The results were all satis- 

 factory to a high degree. In nearly all cases profitable yields of 

 forage were secured, while the yields of seed varied considerably. 

 In order of maturity the varieties range as follows : Early Blackeye, 

 Michigan Favorite, Whippoorwill, New Era. Iron, and Clay. All 

 may, however, be cut for hay about September 1. The quality of 

 hay produced is generally excellent and its nutritive value is about 

 one-half greater than that of clover hay. (Ind. B. 124.) 



The cowpea is an annual plant, but under favorable Hawaiian 

 conditions may produce one or even two rattoon crops. In appear- 

 ance the plant resembles the bean more than the pea, and like the 

 bean it appears to be more sensitive to wet and cold. The com- 

 monly grown varieties are characterized by their vigorous growth 

 and rambling or trailing habit. Compared with other viney legumes 

 of like vigor, the cowpea would be classed as early maturing. When 

 planted in rows and well cultivated the vines may attain a length 

 of ten or more feet and produce a great amount of foliage. Where 

 the seed is thickly broadcasted, they show less inclination to throw 

 out strong tendrils and produce less seed and foliage^ Most of the 

 standard varieties are heavy seeding, but for the maximum produc- 



