254 FOBAGE CROPS 



various uses and the rapid and large development 

 of plant make it one of the most useful of the 

 annual summer legumes for forage purposes. 



Varieties of cowpea 



The natural tendency of the plant toward varia- 

 tion has resulted in many varieties, although the 

 permanent and distinct kinds are comparatively 

 few. The same variety is likely t6 be given a 

 new name in difiEerent parts of the country, as, 

 for example, the one variety that goes under the 

 name of Unknown, Wonderful and Quadroon. 

 In addition to the confusion arising from this 

 practice, the same name is frequently given to a 

 number of varieties, as, for example, the name 

 Crowder, which is applied to any variety in 

 which the seeds are closely packed or crowded 

 in the pod. The further fact that season and 

 climate exert such an influence on the plant as to 

 make a variety in one place very different from 

 what it is in another place, renders it difficult to 

 give positive advice as to the choice of kinds for 

 specific purposes. The varieties range from a 

 bush a foot or so high, without runners, to those 

 having distinct vining or trailing habits, the vines 

 sometimes reaching a length of ten to twenty 

 feet. The pods range from four to eighteen 

 inches in length, giving seed of every possible 



