COW PEAS. 143 



these regions, and the yields obtained are often much 

 higher. In humid regions three cuttings may ordinarily 

 be obtained, each of one to one and a half tons of hay. 



While the large bulk of the crop is cured as hay, 

 alfalfa is also of considerable importance as a silage crop 

 in dairy sections of the Western States. As with red 

 clover, reports of failure in siloing alfalfa are on record, 

 but first-class alfalfa silage can be readily made in deep, 

 modern silos, when the crop is cut when in full bloom, 

 and the plants are not allowed to wilt much before being 

 run through a cutter and siloed. In the opinion of the 

 dairymen who have had large experience in siloing alfalfa, 

 sweet alfalfa silage is more easily made than good al- 

 falfa hay. 



What has been said in regard to the siloing of clover 

 refers to alfalfa as well. Alfalfa silage compares favor- 

 ably with clover silage, both in chemical composition and 

 in feeding value. It is richer in flesh-forming substances 

 (protein) than clover silage, or any other kind of silage, 

 and makes a most valuable feed for farm animals, espe- 

 cially young stock and dairy cows. 



Cow Peas are to the South what alfalfa is to the 

 West, and when properly handled make excellent and 

 most valuable silage. The cow peas are sown early in 

 the season, either broadcast, about l l / 2 bushels to the 

 acre and turned under with a one-horse turning plow, or 

 drilled in rows about two feet apart. They are cut with 

 a mower when one-half or more of the peas on the vines 

 are fully ripe, and are immediately raked in windrows 

 and hauled to the silo, where they are run through a feed 

 cutter and cut into inch lengths. 



Cow pea silage is greatly relished by farm animals 

 after they once become accustomed to its peculiar flavor; 

 farmers who have had considerable practical experience 

 in feeding this silage are of the opinion that cow-pea 

 silage has no equal for cows and sheep. It is also a good 

 hog food, and for all these animals is considered greatly 

 superior to pea-vine hay. In feeding experiments at a 



