52 THE COW PEA. 



The cow pea then, belongs strictly to the protein class, 

 with a narrow nutritive value in close relation to carbo- 

 hydrates, in the ratio of one to three and one-tenth for the 

 seed and one to three and eight -tenths for the hay, while 

 timothy and other true-grass hay has a wide ratio of about 

 one to sixteen and seven-tenths. Between the ratios of 

 from one to five and from one to seven, under ordinary cir- 

 cumstances, is proper and economical feeding. The cow pea 

 or any other ration over-rich in protein should be mixed 

 with a carbo-hydrate; two tons of cow pea hay fed mixed 

 with one ton of timothy or like hay is a far richer and more 

 profitable forage than the three tons fed separately. Where 

 there is not a natural mixture at time of growth and harvest- 

 ing (to which reference is made in the preceding chapter) 

 it should be made at feeding time, cow peas with grasses, 

 or roots, or corn-fodder or the like. Without some such 

 combination, part of the protein is lost, because animals are 

 unable to digest and assimilate that which is in excess of 

 the correct ratio. 



It has already been incidentally stated that cow peas, 

 clovers and other legumes contain an excess of protein, while 

 corn-fodder, timothy, red top and such grasses do not con- 

 tain enough. This is strictly true and worthy always of 

 consideration, still there are times and circumstances under 

 which means must be adapted to ends even if scientific rules 

 are disregarded. Sometimes it is cheaper and better 

 economy to let the excess of cow pea protein waste than to 

 incur unprofitable expense to secure the chemically correct 



