392 FIELD CROPS 



early varieties are grown as far north as Michigan. The 

 general culture of the plant does not extend north of Kansas, 

 Kentucky, and Maryland. No definite estimate of the 

 acreage devoted to this crop can be made, but it is rapidly 

 increasing all over the South. It is used in a variety of ways, 

 as a hay or seed crop, as a pasture crop, as a gatherer of 

 nitrogen, and as a green manure crop to add both humus and 

 nitrogen. It is sown alone or in combination with other 

 crops, a common practice being to sow it with corn at the last 

 cultivation, either in the rows or between them. 



496. Varieties. Numerous varieties of cowpeas are 

 grown, the number of names probably reaching seventy-five 

 or one hundred. These vary in habit of growth, shape and 

 color of the seed, length of growing season, and in other 

 characters. One of the most common is the Whippoorwill, 

 a vigorous-growing, fairly erect variety with mottled red- 

 dish or chocolate-colored seeds. It is largely grown for the 

 production of both grain and hay. The Iron has small, 

 clay-colored seeds. The vine is an erect grower, seeds 

 freely, and as the plants are resistant to disease, it is coming 

 to be a popular variety. The New Era and one or two 

 similar varieties of small-seeded, mottled peas which grow 

 erect and mature early are grown to some extent in the North, 

 but are of little importance farther south where the stronger- 

 growing, later varieties can be grown. Other more or less 

 prominent varieties are the Black, Blackeye, Unknown, 

 Red Ripper, Browneye, Taylor, and the various Crowders, 

 the latter name being given because of the crowded appear- 

 ance of the peas in the pod. 



497. Soils and Fertilizers. Cowpeas will grow on almost 

 any soil, though naturally they grow better on a fertile 

 loam than elsewhere. Some varieties, like the Black, are 

 particularly adapted to sandy land. Others do better on 



