THE COWPEA 263 
An average 
Forage hci acre yield Hay 
Per cent Lbs. Lbs. Per cent 
Water... ......2.-- 83.60 Bg si @ 10.70 
Dry matter... 2.2... 16.40 328 2,624 89.30 
Ether extract. ......, 0.40 8 64 2.20 
Crude fiber. ....... 4.80 96 768 20.10 
Crude protein. ...... 2.40 48 384 16.60 
EB Seca is xe Ue cap ce Gh Be 1.70 34 272 7,50 
Nitrogen-free extract... 7.10 142 1,136 42.90 
Cowpea pasture and hay 
When the crop is not needed for soiling, it 
may be used for pasture or hay. It makes excel- 
lent pasture, and, if the animals are not allowed 
to feed it too closely in the beginning, it will 
furnish good grazing for six to eight weeks, as 
the tendency of the plant is to throw out new 
runners when the main stems are removed. Pas- 
turing is wasteful, however, as the animals tramp 
much of the herbage into the earth, besides kill- 
ing some of the plants. It is better practice to 
make the crop into hay, as it makes a very pala- 
table and highly digestible product, and one 
which, because of its high content of protein, 
can be used to substitute for concentrated feeds. 
The cowpea is one of the most useful forms 
of winter forage, as it can be fed in considerable 
quantity, and because it possesses characteristics 
which make it a good substitute for purchased 
protein feeds. Experiments at the New Jersey, 
