THE COW PEA. II 



PREPARATION OF THE SOIL. 



Although the cow pea will, as a rule, make better growth 

 than any other plant under unfavorable soil conditions, and 

 even where other crops have failed, nevertheless, no plant 

 or crop thrives better on rich land or more amply repays 

 liberal feeding and intelligent treatment than the cow pea. 

 Under congenial circumstances, the growth of this family 

 of plants is little short of wonderful. At the same time, it 

 must be remembered that one of the chief gains for which 

 cow peas are grown, namely, the absorption of nitrogen 

 from the air, is proportionately diminished as the conditions 

 become less favorable. The process of absorbing nitrogen 

 from the atmosphere, a property peculiar to legumes, can- 

 not fully take place under unfavorable soil conditions. In 

 other words, the land should be mellow, well drained and 

 deep. These points have been brought out so strongly and 

 repeatedly by those who have given particular attention to 

 the cultivation of cow peas, that every well informed planter 

 gives his land as deep plowing, thorough tillage and regular 

 and liberal applications of lime as his time and means 

 permit. 



The small bacteria, the nature of which is explained 

 later (see page 35)' and which live upon and with the cow 

 pea roots and through whose action the nitrogen of the air 

 is absorbed by the plant, play an important part in soil 

 reviving; and for their growth and development the soil must 

 have plenty of air. These bacteria require also a soil that 



