258 FORAGE CROPS 
the seed is expensive, it pays even for forage to 
use the smaller quantity and cultivate, rather than 
to broadcast the larger quantity. 
Seed should be covered one to two inches deep, 
and on very light soils a little deeper. The season, 
to some extent, governs the depth; in a dry sea- 
son, the deeper the seed the better. The difficulty 
in too late summer broadcast seeding is that 
crab-grass or other growth is likely to choke out 
the plants. 
Value of the cowpea crop 
Perhaps there is no other annual leguminous for- 
age crop that is so generally useful as the cowpea. 
In the first place, it grows in hot weather, when it is 
desirable to have the ground covered; (2) its long 
tap-root penetrates the subsoil, loosening it and 
making it more porous; (3) the absorption and 
assimilation of the free nitrogen makes it of great 
service; (4) it provides good forage; (5) it may 
be used as a cover-crop; (6) the roots and stubble 
are left as additions to the soil, always causing 
considerable improvement. 
Manures and fertilizers 
While the cowpea is well adapted to light soils, 
nevertheless, if the best results are to be had, the 
soil must be well supplied with phosphoric acid 
