OTHER LEGUMINOUS PLANTS. I33 



Although cowpeas will grow luxuriantly on 

 overturned sod lands, it will usually be a mistake to 

 grow them on these, as the vegetable matter which 

 they contain may be turned to excellent account in 

 growing grain crops. But it may be wise in some 

 instances to grow cowpeas after crimson clover, in 

 the hope of further enriching the land for the next 

 crop. The cowpea is also frequently sown among 

 the cotton and corn plants while they are yet imma- 

 ture. In latitudes far south, one crop of cowpeas 

 may be grown for soiling uses if cut early and 

 a second crop from the same plants for being 

 plowed under. 



Preparing the Soil. — In preparing the soil for 

 the cowpea the aim should be to secure a fine and a 

 moist seed bed. The roller and harrow, if judiciously 

 used, may be made greatly helpful in securing both, 

 and more especially after the arrival of the dry sea- 

 son. When sown after garden crops, it may not be 

 necessary to plow the land, but simply to disk and 

 harrow it. 



It is seldom necessary to apply nitrogen to the 

 soil in which this crop is grown, but in some instances 

 it is necessary. Since the cowpea takes considerable 

 quantities of potash and phosphoric acid out of the 

 soil and since it does not restore these when the 

 crop is removed from the soil on which it grew, 

 except in so far as it brings them up from the sub- 

 soil, the fertilizers applied should contain these ele- 

 ments in liberal degree. It will be in order, there- 

 fore, to apply such fertilizers as ground bone, bone 

 ash, fish guano and superphosphate when fertilizers 

 are needed. Farmyard manure will usually give 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



