CHAPTER VIII 

 OTHER LEGUMES 



WHILE red clover and alfalfa are the most important 

 leguminous plants for large portions of the United 

 States, there are several other legumes that deserve attention. 

 Chief among these are the cow-pea, grown chiefly in the 

 South ; the vetches, the soy-bean, the peanut field beans and 

 peas, and several others of lesser importance. These are pro- 

 duced (1) for forage, (2) for soil renovation, and (3) for 

 their seeds. 



1. The Cow-pea 



The cow-pea is to the South what red clover and alfalfa 

 are to the West and North. It grows successfully on almost 

 any kind of soil found in the cotton belt, and its cultiva- 

 tion is being rapidly extended throughout this region. 



The plant. The cow-pea was but recently introduced 

 into this country, coming from China. The plant resem- 

 bles the ordinary garden bean in appearance and manner of 

 growth. It reaches a height of from one to nearly five 

 feet. The smaller varieties stand nearly erect, the taller 

 varieties spreading out vine-like on the ground. 



The leaves are broad, and grow in clusters of three. 

 The flowers resemble those of the garden pea, and are 

 greenish-yellow in color. The pods, which are cylindrical 

 in shape, grow from two to some seven inches in length. 

 The roots, which penetrate deeply into the soil, bear tuber- 

 cles, which are the home of nitrogen-gathering bacteria. 



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