18 VEGETABLE GROWING. 



and beggar- weed (Desmodium tortuosum). The latter 

 of these has some points of advantage over the for- 

 mer ; one of the main points to be considered is that 

 root- knot (Heterodera radicicold) does not attack it as 

 severely as the former. This is quite important, as it 

 means failure to follow cow-peas with a crop attacked 

 by root-knot if the disease is in the field. 



As to the manner of using these plants, there is 

 some diversity of opinion. In clay soil, the plants 

 may be plowed under in the green state, but on sandy 

 soils it will not be found practicable. Dr. Stubbs, Di- 

 rector of the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Sta- 

 tion, says that in the South it is a detrimental prac- 

 tice, and that the green manure should be allowed to 

 rot before it is plowed under. The decomposition of 

 the green matter is said to create a ferment in the soil 

 detrimental to crops that may follow. 



