102 FORAGE CROPS 



" In this table sufficient data are submitted to enable one to make 

 a threefold comparison. First, cowpea seed and soy bean seed 

 are compared with Indian corn grain and cotton seed, and the 

 conclusion is self-evident that these grains are appreciably richer 

 in ash and protein than the grain obtained from the Indian corn 

 plant. The soy bean contains a high percentage of fat, and a 

 comparatively low percentage of the nitrogen free extract, while 

 with Indian corn the reverse is the case. The soy bean stands in 

 advance of the cowpea notably in fat and protein. It is also 

 clear that the grain produced by these legumes compares very 

 favorably with cotton seed. The figures also indicate that soy 

 bean and cowpea hay are slightly superior to alfalfa from the 

 standpoint of composition, while corn fodder is decidedly inferior 

 to any of these legumes. The mixing of soy bean hay with corn 

 fodder during the ensiling process would appear to be a good prac- 

 tice, since an improved product is the result." 



The Velvet Bean is a native of India, which was originally 

 introduced into the United States as an ornamental garden plant 

 in the nineteenth century. The velvet bean is a large tropical 

 plant that produces vines thirty to fifty feet in length. It bears 

 purple flowers which produce pods covered with a dark velvety 

 down and from three to six seeds are found in each pod. It 

 grows well in the cotton States on light sandy soils. The growth 

 of the plant is greatly increased when potash and acid phosphates 

 are added to the soil. It yields generally twenty to thirty bushels 

 of seed and from two to four tons of hay. 



The Florida Beggar Weed is an annual which grows on rich, 

 moist, sandy lands of Florida and the Gulf States. It is readily 

 eaten by stock and makes very good pasturage. It also furnishes 

 very satisfactory feed when cut and used as hay. 



The Peanut is a trailing annual plant which grows from one 

 to two feet high and matures its fruit underground. It is valu- 

 able as food when roasted, and it is also used in making candy, 

 oil, and peanut butter. Some varieties, like the Spanish peanut, 

 are grown for hay and prove to be very satisfactory feed for 

 stock. This variety is said to be an ideal hog food, and an acre 

 of it will produce from three to five times as many pounds of flesh 

 on a hog as the ordinary Indian corn. The seeds are planted in 



