IHE COW PEA. 21 



A little practical experimenting soon indicates about how 

 much potash and phosphoric acid to use. Applications of 

 different quantities of these two ingredients on several parts 

 of a field afford opportunities for comparison. Sandy soils 

 are usually deficient in potash; clays in phosphoric acid, to 

 applications of which they usually quickly respond. On 

 sandy soils the cow pea can make good use of 500 to 600 

 pounds of kainit and 300 to 350 pounds of acid phosphate 

 per acre. If muriate of potash be used in place of kainit, 

 135 to 150 pounds will answer. On clay soils less potash 

 and more phosphoric acid may be used. There need be no 

 fear that the potash and phosphoric acid above the actual 

 needs of the crop will be lost. It is far wiser to run the risk 

 of over rather than under supply, inasmuch as most of the 

 surplus will be stored up and available for subsequent crops. 



PLANTING. 



Cow peas may be planted any time in the spring when 

 the soil is warm enough for planting beans and thereafter, 

 until within two months of when fall frosts are expected. 

 Being of tropical origin, the plant develops, best in warm 

 weather, and nothing is gained by planting too early. 

 This is of special importance in the north. A cold rain may 

 cause delay in germination or decay of seed and result in 

 irregular stands. A few chilling days may give the young 

 plant a check from which it is slow to recover. In practice, 

 the time varies for planting to suit the purpose for which 



