THE COWPEA 



entire plant, or the manure from the hay, saved 

 without loss. 



Comparison is made on the basis of equal 

 adaptability of soil and climate to clover and the 

 cowpea. Going southward, the cowpea has the 

 advantage, and northward the clover gains. It 

 is in the overlapping belt that both should be 

 freely used. The cowpea has distinct advantage 

 over the clover in its ability to supply nitrogen 

 and organic matter within a few months, and in 

 its adaptation to very poor soils where clover 

 would not make much growth. As a catch crop 

 it has great value. 



Affecting Physical Condition. The cowpea has 

 marked influence upon the physical condition of 

 heavy soils, even when the vines are not plowed 

 down. This is due in some degree to the roots, 

 and probably more to the mulching effect of the 

 vines during their growth. Heavy soils are made 

 much more mellow by the cowpea, and when the 

 crop is removed for hay, the stubble-land is easily 

 prepared for a seeding to grass or small grain. 

 When the growth is plowed down, the soil may be 

 made too loose for seeding to small grain, but is 

 put into prime condition for a tilled crop. 



Planting. The land should be fitted as it is 

 [101J 



