COWPEAS 499 



to an acre is very satisfactory; while in three-foot 

 rows, fifteen to twenty pounds is sufficient. 



Formerly cowpeas were often planted in grain stubble 

 without further preparation of the ground. This practice 

 is now much less common, special preparation of the soil 

 being the rule. On account of higher seed prices, as well 

 as better yields of both hay and seed, planting in cul- 

 tivated rows is becoming more popular. When thus 

 planted, two or three cultivations are necessary. 



At the Arkansas Experiment Station, six varieties of 

 cowpeas were sown at rates varying from 6.25 pounds to 

 100 pounds to an acre. The highest average yield of hay 

 was produced from 25 pounds of seed. The heaviest 

 yields of hay varied to a considerable extent with the 

 variety and amount of seed sown, ranging with the 

 Whippoorwill from 12.5 pounds of seed to the Taylor from 

 100 pounds of seed. In another experiment with the 

 same varieties, it was found that the best seed yields 

 were secured by sowing not less than 12.5 nor more 

 than 37.5 pounds to an acre. 



At the North Carolina Experiment Station in a three 

 years' test of different quantities of seed in 3| foot rows 

 with the New Era variety the best yields of hay were 

 secured by planting one-half bushel of seed to an acre. 



609. Time of seeding. Cowpeas should never be 

 sown before the ground becomes well warmed. It is 

 never advisable to sow them before corn planting time, 

 and usually it is better to delay sowing at least two weeks 

 later. After this time they can be sown whenever moisture 

 conditions are favorable. The latest date for profitable 

 sowing is about ninety days before the first killing frost. 



Early sowings are unprofitable because the seed is apt 

 to decay in the soil, but even if a perfect stand is secured. 



