THE COWPEA 261 
and potash. On lands that are capable of produc- 
ing fair crops, the fertilizers may be limited to an 
application of these minerals, and a mixture of 
Acid phosphate ............ 300 pounds 
Muriate of potash... ........ 100 pounds 
applied at the rate of 200 pounds per acre is 
recommended. This should be broadcasted, and 
well cultivated into the soil previous to planting. 
Harvesting cowpeas 
For soiling purposes the crop may be harvested 
in its immature state, although a larger amount of 
dry matter will be secured if it is not cut until the 
pods are turning yellow. It is often necessary to 
have the crop ready in two to two and one-half 
months; when the early varieties are sown, and 
the season is favorable, profitable crops may be 
harvested as early as this after seeding. If the 
cowpea is not harvested promptly it does not suffer 
serious loss, as is the case with many other crops. 
The leaves remain green and the stems succulent 
until growth ceases. When the entire season can 
be used for the crop, the trailing varieties will give 
the larger yield, although they are more difficult 
to harvest, owing to the intertwining of the vines. 
If cut in a very immature stage, the forage shows 
a higher content of water, and the dry matter is 
