THE COW PEA. 45 



hydrates, in the ratio of one to three and one-tenth for the 

 seed and one to three and eight-tenths for the hay, while 

 timothy and other true-grass hay has a wide ratio of about 

 one to six and seven-tenths. Between the ratios of from 

 one to iive and from one to seven, under ordinary circum- 

 stances, is proper and economical feeding. The cow pea or 

 any other ration over-rich in protein shonld be mixed with 

 a carbo-hydrate; two tons of cow pea hay fed mixed with 

 one ton of timothy or like hay is a far richer and more 

 profitable forage than the three tons fed separately. Where 

 there is not a natural mixture-at time of growth and harvest- 

 ■ ing (to which reference is made in the preceding chapter) 

 it should be made at feeding time, — cow peas with grasses, 

 or roots, or corn-fodder or the like. Without some such 

 combination, part of the protein is lost because animals are 

 unable to digest and assimilate that which is in excess of 

 the correct ratio. 



It has already been incidentally stated that cow peas, 

 clovers and other legumes contain an excess of protein while 

 corn-fodder, timothy, red top and such grasses do not con- 

 tain enough. This is strictly true and worthy always of 

 consideration, still there are times and circumstances under 

 which means must be adapted to ends even if scientific rules 

 are disregarded. Sometimes it is cheaper and better 

 economy to let the excess of cow pea protein waste than to 

 incur unprofitable expense to secure the chemically correct 

 proportion, — to graze a bulky growth of vines to make 

 plowing-under possible, — to feed coarse, cheap cow pea 



