254 FORAGE CROPS 
various uses and the rapid and large development 
of plant make it one of the most useful of the 
annual summer legumes for forage purposes. 
Varieties of cowpea 
The natural tendency of the plant toward varia- 
tion has resulted in many varieties, although the 
permanent and distinct kinds are comparatively 
few. The same variety is likely to be given a 
new name in different parts of the country, as, 
for example, the one variety that goes under the 
name of Unknown, Wonderful and Quadroon. 
In addition to the confusion arising from this 
practice, the same name is frequently given to a 
number of varieties, as, for example, the name 
Crowder, which is applied to any variety in 
which the seeds are closely packed or crowded 
in the pod. The further fact that season and 
climate exert such an influence on the plant as to 
make a variety in one place very different from 
what it is in another place, renders it difficult to 
give positive advice as to the choice of kinds for 
specific purposes. The varieties range from a 
bush a foot or so high, without runners, to those 
having distinct vining or trailing habits, the vines 
sometimes reaching a length of ten to twenty 
feet. The pods range from four to eighteen 
inches in length, giving seed of every possible 
