10 THE COW PEA. 



are, Clay, Unknown, and Whip-poor-will; for they are 

 vigorous growers; and mature late, while their erect habit 

 makes harvesting and curing easier. If pasture or green 

 manure is wanted, Unknown, Black, and Red Ripper are 

 suggested, and they should be planted as early in the season 

 as the weather will permit. If, as is frequently the case, 

 a large yield of seed is wanted, Black, Clay, Whip-poor-will, 

 and Unknown are among the heaviest yielders. For 

 table use, Large or Small Lady, Sugar and B lackey e are 

 tender and of good flavor. 



It must be remembered that these remarks apply to the 

 south, where the crop has long been grown and where the 

 habits of the plant are well understood. 



The growing season at the north is much shorter and the 

 seed cannot be planted so early. The question of varieties 

 for the north has not yet been fully settled. Early Black 

 has given good satisfaction for grain and pasture. It is an 

 upright growing vine and usually matures its seed, which it 

 produces in great profusion. Whip-poor-will and Wonder- 

 ful have been used successfully at the north for pasture and 

 manurial purposes, though they do not always mature seed. 

 The cow pea readily adapts itself to local conditions, and 

 some selected strain of these varieties will doubtless prove 

 most useful for northern growers. By picking the first 

 ripening pods for several seasons in succession and saving 

 the early seed for planting, a very valuable local strain or 

 variety may easily be obtained. This method of selection 

 may be followed to obtain a large or a long vine, or, in fact, 



