The cow Pea. 7 



• 

 which become distinctive through cultivation and selection. 



The number of actually and permanently distinct varieties 

 are comparatively few although different names are given 

 to various forms in different parts of the country. The 

 character of the plant and its seed is modified by various 

 conditions, such as, cultivation, nature of soil, length of 

 growing season, time of planting and, perhaps also, by 

 cross-fertilization. Local names are sometimes given a 

 variety which has been grown for a length of time in a 

 certain neighborhood, but the same sort may be known by 

 an entirely different name in other places but a few miles 

 distant. As examples of this, there is one variety which 

 goes under the names "Unknown," "Wonderful," and 

 " Quadroon;" again " Speckled," and " Whip- poor-Will " are 

 actually the same variety; " Gourd " " Mathews '' and " Pole- 

 cat " are practically the same and the list may be extended 

 almost without limit. 



This confusion has been further increased by the practice 

 of calling entirely distinct varieties by the same name, as is 

 the case with the names "Everlasting," "Red Ripper" and 

 others; " Crowder," is applied to any short variety in which 

 the seeds are closely packed together or crowded. " Lady" 

 is used to indicate any variety with slender pods filled with 

 small, plump, oblong seeds. 



On account of this confusion in names and the wide dif- 

 ference in appearances and habits of the different varieties, 

 it is difficult to give absolute characteristics which can be 

 uniformly recognized as marking distinct, permanent 



