/THE COW PEA. 59 



crop," either early or late in the season, than any other. 

 Other leguminous crops are sometimes more desirable in 

 certain localities and for certain purposes, but undoubtedly 

 it is more valuable to the country at large than is any other 

 known legume. 



SUMMARY. 



1 . The cow pea can be grown in all parts of the coun- 

 try where dent corn succeeds. 



2. Different varieties produce plants of widely differ- 

 ent habits, some erect and shrub shaped, others with long 

 trailing or climbing vines; some ripen seed within two 

 months from planting, others require six months or longer 

 for their maturity. 



3 . The variety for planting is to be selected according 

 to the use to which the crop is to be put, and the time of 

 planting. 



4. Thorough preparation of the soil before planting is 

 as profitable for cow peas as for any other crop ; the greater 

 the care in this respect, the greater the satisfaction and 

 profit in the yield. 



5. Phosphoric acid and potash need to be applied 

 liberally to promote the heaviest growth and to insure 

 absorption of the greatest possible amount of nitrogen 

 from the air. 



6. A small amount of quick-acting nitrogenous fertil- 

 izer is sometimes valuable in giving the young plants a 

 prompt and vigorous start, but too much is unprofitable, 



