IRLF

30 W PEA

AGRIC. DEPT.

THE Cow PEA

PUBLISHED BY THE
SUPERVISING COMMITTEE OF THE EXPERIMENTAL FARM

OF THE

NORTH CAROLINA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

REPRINTED BY

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PREFACE,

THE aim in all plant growing is, as in all other business,
to secure the largest possible money return, without
diminishing the original capital. Everywhere the inquiry
is, "How can the productiveness of land be increased?"
This pamphlet, in part, answers that query by calling atten-
tion to the cow pea, a plant whose many valuable qualities,
ease of cultivation, adaptability to many soils and climates,
and cheapness of production, make it a never failing
friend to the tiller of the soil.

As a clear, condensed synopsis of the history, habits,
merits and best manner of using the cow pea, the following
pages will abundantly repay study and practical, every-day
application.

274370

PEA*-rORIGIN AND HISTORY.

THE assertion that "what red clover is to the north and
alfalfa to the west, the cow pea is to the south," was,
a dozen years ago, strictly true. To-day it is not the
whole truth, for the cow pea has now proved its adaptability
and great value far beyond its former home, and even in
those sections of the country where red clover and alfalfa
are grown as the principal forage or manurial crops.

In bygone years its worth and cultivation were
hardly known north of the Ohio River, but during the last
ten years it has been grown and made profitable crops as far
north as Connecticut, Ohio, and Iowa, that is to say, about
the northern limit of the successful cultivation of dent corn.

The cow pea's botanical name is Vigna catjang. Al-
though commonly called a "pea," it is, correctly speaking,
neither a pea nor a bean, and differs widely from both. To
be sure, they all belong to the same family (leguminosae) ,
but so do clovers, alfalfa and vetches. According to De
Candolle and other authorities, it is a native of India, and
was cultivated there at least three thousand years ago.
There is no definite record of its introduction into this
country, but it is believed to have been sent from England
to the Oglethorpe Colonies in Georgia about 1734. Its
value must have been speedily recognized, for by the
beginning of the last century knowledge of the plant had
spread, even in those days of slow communication, to all
settled parts of the south. A native of the tropics, it is
most at home in the southern states, but, by its readiness

THE COW PEA. 5

to adapt itself to circumstances, it has developed a large
number of varieties, some of which fully mature in the
short northern summer. Its cultivation is possible and
profitable in many of the northern and western states;
and in the south has proved itself one of the best annuals
for forage as well as for green manuring. In variation of
size, habits, productiveness and uses, as well as in adapta-
bility to diverse soils and locations, the cow pea rivals
and even surpasses corn. Some sorts mature seed within
sixty days from planting; others maintain a vigorous
growth for six months or longer, even putting forth flowers
till the vines are killed by frost. Some are short, stocky
and erect in growth; others rapid climbers; while others
trail along on the ground and send forth great masses of
vines. The seeds vary in size, color and shape: flat,
round, oblong, kidney; black, white, red, purple, yellow,
striped, mottled; small, medium, large. The cow pea will
grow on any soil not too wet, and in most climates free from
frost during two summer months. Its stalks and leaves
make fine hay, the best of temporary pasture and most
excellent green manure; its seeds, gfeen or ripe, are as
nutritious as beans and are much relished for use as human
food, or, as ripe grain, afford the richest kind of forage for
all farm animals.

VARIETIES.

The cow pea has a natural tendency towards variation
which constantly results in the evolving of new varieties,

cow PEA VINE, ("WONDERFUL"), SHOWING DEVELOPMENT OF

ROOT SYSTEM WITH NODULES.

THE COW PEA. 7

which become permanent through cultivation and selection.
The varieties which are actually and permanently distinct
are comparatively few in number, although different names
are given to various forms in different parts of the country.
The character of the plant and its seed is modified by various
conditions — cultivation, nature of soil, length of growing
season, time of planting, and, perhaps also, cross-fertiliza-
tion. Local names are sometimes given a variety which
has been grown for a length of time in a certain neighbor-
hood, but the same sort may be known by an entirely
different name in other places but a few miles distant.
As examples of this, there is one variety which goes under
the names "Unknown," "Wonderful," and "Quadroon";
again, "Speckled" and "Whip-poor-will" are actually
the same variety; "Gourd," "Matthews," and "Pole-
cat " are practically the same; and the list may be extended
almost without limit.

This confusion has been further increased by the
practice of calling entirely distinct varieties by the same
name, as is the case with the names "Everlasting," "Red
Ripper" and others. "Crowder" is applied to any short
variety in which the seeds are closely packed together or
crowded. "Lady" is to indicate any variety with slender
pods filled with small, plump, oblong seeds.

On account of this confusion in names and the differ-
ences in appearances and habits of the different varieties,
it is difficult to give absolute characteristics which can be
uniformly recognized as marking distinct, permanent

8 THE COW PEA.

varieties. As already stated, every extreme of form and
habit may appear, the compact, upright bush, only a foot
high and without runners, thriving side by side with one of
spreading habit, whose densely loaded branches trail 20 to
30 feet on the ground or climb over trees, fences, corn
or any other support within their reach. The pods range
from 4 to 18 inches in length; they may show any color,
shade or combination of colors, and they may contain seeds
of every possible shape and size. In color the seeds also
show all possible combinations; — white, yellow, green, gray,
pink, brown, red, purple or black — any one alone or shaded,
streaked or spotted with any other or several others.

The season of ripening of different varieties differs as
much as their habits of growth: some kinds mature in two
months; others require from six to eight months between
planting and harvesting. In general, the habit of growth
bears a definite relation to the period required for ripening.
The smaller the plant and the more nearly it approaches the
bush form, the shorter the time required for the production
of its seed ; while the more rank its habit and the larger its
growth of vines and runners, the longer the time required for
its maturity. The fertility of the soil, the rain-fall and
other climatic conditions, the length of the growing season
in the locality — each has its influence and modifies the
fidelity with which any given variety will reproduce itself.
Bush varieties which mature in the comparatively short
seasons of Virginia, when planted a few successive years in
the longer growing season of Florida or Texas, tend to

THE COW PEA. 9

become climbers or trailers and to mature later; on the
other hand, those which have a trailing habit in the long
seasons of the Gulf states, in the cooler north gradually
curtail their long southern vines, assume a more bush-like
form, and otherwise adjust themselves to the shorter
growing season.

The use for which it is wanted determines the character
of the variety to be selected, and both character and use
have a direct bearing on the practice to be followed in
growing the crop. It is wise, therefore, to consider in de-
tail the chief characteristics of a few of the best known
and most widely popular varieties.

Nearly every southern experiment station has made ex-
tensive'tests of varieties, and been more or less successful
in identifying and arranging the different sorts in groups,
each group containing those varieties marked by some
common prominent characteristic. Form, size, shape and
color of the seed, habit of growth in the plant, and time of
ripening have been used as bases for this grouping. One of
the most simple and convenient forms of grouping is given
in Bulletin 26 of the Georgia Station, and will be found at
the end of this pamphlet.

The selection of a variety will naturally depend upon
what is wanted in the crop, for the same reasons which lead
many farmers to plant a dent variety of corn for grain and
a flint for silage or fodder, that is to say, because the flint
may give a larger and more appropriate stalk and a greater
proportion of leaf. If hay is required, suitable varieties

10 THE COW PEA.

are, Clay, Unknown, and Whip-poor-will; for they are
vigorous growers; and mature late, while their erect habit
makes harvesting and curing easier. If pasture or green
manure is wanted, Unknown, Black, and Red Ripper are
suggested, and they should be planted as early in the season
as the weather will permit. If, as is frequently the case,
a large yield of seed is wanted, Black, Clay, Whip-poor-will,
and Unknown are among the heaviest yielders. For
table use, Large or Small Lady, Sugar and B lackey e are
tender and of good flavor.

It must be remembered that these remarks apply to the
south, where the crop has long been grown and where the
habits of the plant are well understood.

The growing season at the north is much shorter and the
seed cannot be planted so early. The question of varieties
for the north has not yet been fully settled. Early Black
has given good satisfaction for grain and pasture. It is an
upright growing vine and usually matures its seed, which it
produces in great profusion. Whip-poor-will and Wonder-
ful have been used successfully at the north for pasture and
manurial purposes, though they do not always mature seed.
The cow pea readily adapts itself to local conditions, and
some selected strain of these varieties will doubtless prove
most useful for northern growers. By picking the first
ripening pods for several seasons in succession and saving
the early seed for planting, a very valuable local strain or
variety may easily be obtained. This method of selection
may be followed to obtain a large or a long vine, or, in fact,

THE COW PEA. II

any size or shape desired to suit the plant to north or sout'n,
upland or lowland.

PREPARATION OF THE SOIL.

Although the cow pea will, as a rule, make better
growth than any other plant under unfavorable soil condi-
tions, and even where other crops have failed, nevertheless
no plant or crop thrives better on rich land or more amply
repays liberal feeding and intelligent treatment than the cow
pea. Under congenial circumstances, the growth of plants of
this family is little short of wonderful. At the same time, it
must be remembered that one of the chief gains for which
cow peas are grown, namely, the absorption of nitrogen
from the air, is proportionately diminished as the conditions
become less favorable. The process of absorbing nitrogen
from the atmosphere, a property peculiar to legumes, can-
not fully take place under unfavorable soil conditions. In
other words, the land should be mellow, well drained and
deep. These points have been brought out so strongly and
repeatedly by those who have given particular attention to
the cultivation of cow peas, that every well informed planter
gives his land as deep ploughing, thorough tillage and
regular and liberal applications of lime as his time and
means permit.

The small bacteria, the nature of which is explained
later (see page 34), and which live upon and with the cow
pea roots, and through whose action the nitrogen of the air
is absorbed by the plant, play an important part in the

12 THE COW PEA.

restoration of soil fertility. For their growth and develop-
ment the soil must have plenty of air. These bacteria require
also a soil that is not acid; therefore, land rich in decaying
vegetable matter, and hence likely to be acid, should not
be planted to cow peas. Such land does not require the
humus supplied by the cow peas and could be but little
improved thereby. The chief object in cultivating this
plant is to add to the fertility of the land and leave it in
better shape to produce crops like corn, which subtract
from, rather than add, to the supply of plant food in the soil.
If the cow pea is to be sown on land with a hard-pan subsoil,
the breaking up should be well done with a subsoil plough
so as to give it necessary drainage. A water-soaked soil is
not well adapted to growing the pea because water cuts off
the circulation of air, which is essential to the chemical
changes by which nitrogen of the air is taken up by the
plant. A poorly prepared soil is also unfavorable for plant
development because it prevents the roots from reaching out
and obtaining food, no matter how hungry the plant may be.
Every means should be employed to improve the .physical
condition of the soil so as to enable the crop to absorb the
largest possible amount of nitrogen from the air. In deep,
mellow and well drained soils the roots act to the best
advantage, and, practically free of cost, turn otherwise
unavailable atmospheric nitrogen into rich and necessary
plant food stored up for future use. On heavy soils, deep
ploughing is indispensable, and the seed-bed must be made
fine, firm, smooth and level to secure best results. Gener-

14 THE COW PEA.

ally speaking, the cow pea is not at its best on heavy soils ;
and deep ploughing is not so essential on light soils ; still, no
matter what the nature of the soil, the work of preparing it
for this crop needs to be intelligent and thorough. Plough-
ing must never be so deep that the undersoil in any quantity
is turned up over the top soil, and, if the plough has been
habitually worked shallow, this will be avoided by using
the subsoil plough. On stubble ground or on old corn land,
in light soils, a disc harrow is usually the only implement
needed, and has the advantage of rapid working, but shal-
low ploughing or any other means by which the surface is
thoroughly loosened and then worked down fine and smooth
is sufficient.

The seed germinates quickly on land well prepared
before planting; the young plants make a stronger start; the
whole crop grows uniformly and matures at the same time ;
the work and waste of harvesting are less and the yield larger.

It is on the principle that the plant under favorable
soil conditions furnishes its own nitrogen as fast as needed,
and practically on this fact, depends the whole economy of
the crop. Rarely, indeed, would it pay to grow cow peas if
the nitrogen needed for their growth had to be supplied by
purchased fertilizer. In this connection, and in a measure
supplementing what has just been stated, it is noteworthy
that, while the cow pea responds readily to good culture, no
other legume will do as well with a hurried or imperfect
working of the soil. Frequently old pastures, " thin spots "
and waste fields have gone out of cultivation because it

THE COW PEA. 15

costs too much to provide them with a supply of manure.
The average farmer with a scant supply of working animals
or labor, and a short cropping season, cannot spare the
time to plough, subsoil, and fit these impoverished, waste
places as he would be obliged to do for clover or grass, but
he can rough in the hardier cow peas.

A single ploughing or working with disc, cutaway or
springtooth harrow, anything that will tear up the land,
will be sufficient to start the cow pea. The seed may be
broadcasted on the rough furrows and covered with a har-
row or roller or even "scratched in." Such a rough fitting
will not give the best results, but even with this unfavorable
start the plant will quickly cover the ground, smother weeds
and subdue the soil, besides adding greatly to its fertility.
This plan is of special value for northern farmers in New
England and other sections where parts of farms have
passed out of cultivation. There are many instances where
such waste land has been changed in a single season into
good corn ground. The plan followed was simply to make
an application of the mineral elements of plant food — Potash
and Phosphoric Acid — causing a heavy growth of peas,
which absorbed much atmospheric nitrogen, and by it and
the vegetable matter improved both the chemical and
physical conditions of the soil. It is folly to expect poor
^culture and heavy rough ground to produce the best pay-
( ing results with this or any other plant. The point is, that
^no farmer should reject the plant because he cannot give it
,, the best of care, Its ability to thrive under hard

l6 THE COW PEA.

tions, its power to take nitrogen from the air, and its
wonderful economy in the use of potash and phosphoric
acid make it, all in all, one of the most wonderful plants
recently introduced to the northern farmer.

FERTILIZING FOR COW PEAS.

Cow peas are so commonly recommended for green
manuring that the impression prevails that the growing
plant itself needs no fertilizer. This is a mistake and often
a serious one; the more it is fed the more food will it store
up for the crop which follows. It is true that the cow pea
has power to draw nitrogen from the air and use it for its own
growth, but for every pound of nitrogen thus absorbed
more than a pound of potash and considerable phosphoric
acid must also be taken up. The latter two ingredients do
not exist in the air, so they must be supplied artificially.
The nitrogen absorbed by the cow pea plant enters into and
forms a part of the entire living plant and dry stubble, but
these cannot be made from nitrogen alone. Not one atom of
nitrogen can be assimilated unless there are also present cer-
tain amounts of potash and phosphoric acid. The growing
cow pea must get its potash and phosphoric acid, just as
cotton, just as corn, just as every other growing plant gets
them — from the soil, to which they must be applied in the
shape of a fertilizer. No plant growth whatever is possible
when potash, phosphoric acid and nitrogen are not present
and available, and no oversupply of one plant food element
can compensate for the absence or scarcity of another, Each

THE COW PEA. T7

must be present and in the proper proportion, otherwise
there cannot be a full growth. While cow peas do have
the property of drawing nitrogen from the air, a certain
amount of this ingredient is required in the soil in which
they grow, and must be artificially supplied, if not al-
ready present. The cow pea plant begins to take up
atmospheric nitrogen when its leaves develop, and on poor
soils, before this stage is reached, the young plants gener-
ally suffer from the lack of nitrogen. This poverty ot
nitrogen is indicated by a yellowish leaf, absence of vigor in
the plant and a general sickly appearance ; an application of
about 75 pounds of nitrate of soda per acre quickly remedies
the trouble.

While an artificial application of nitrogen is regulated
by the circumstances described, there are no such condi-
tions affecting potash and phosphoric acid. Experiments
at the Louisiana Experiment Station show that one acre of
average cow peas contains 65 pounds of nitrogen, in
pounds of potash and 20 pounds of phosphoric acid; of
this the roots and stubble alone contain 8 pounds of nitro-
gen, 1 8 pounds of potash and 5 pounds of phosphoric acid.
These figures vary, of course, with different yields, but the
range of variation is not wide, and only serves to bring out
clearly and boldly the fact that, with every pound of nitro-
gen, a certain amount of potash and phosphoric acid is
also assimilated by cow peas. These weights do not fix
absolutely the amount of plant food needed by cow peas,
but they do suggest approximately and relatively what the

»8 THE COW PEA.

crop draws from the soil, and what even the least worn
fields must have returned to them in the shape of plant food
to prevent the soil from gradually losing its fertility. Let it
be carefully noted, however, that there is, of necessity, some
waste in the application of fertilizers; that not all the
plant food given a soil can be gathered up and realized
upon in crops. There is a loss in operation in the soil just
as there is in a machine or in applying any other chemical
or mechanical force, natural or otherwise. With ordinary
fertilizers, this loss in potash has been roughly estimated
at about one-third; in phosphoric acid, not less than one-
half. Therefore, the actual amount of potash and phos-
phoric acid to be provided, to enable cow peas to take up
and assimilate 65 pounds of nitrogen, is about 167 pounds
of actual potash and 40 pounds of phosphoric acid (equiv-
alent to 334 pounds of muriate of potash and 300 pounds of
acid phosphate). This is not given here as a fertilizer for-
mu)a for cow peas, but merely to show what an acre of the
crop must actually have.

As already stated, and now repeated and emphasized,
plant growth can take place only when all three of the
necessary constituents are present in sufficient quantities
and in an available condition. The moment the supply of
any one of these essential constituents is exhausted, nor-
mal growth stops and there cannot be a full crop. After
the cow pea has developed a few leaves and so long as the
plant can continue to take up all of the potash and phos-
phoric acid required, it will in turn get all the nitrogen it

11

ONE WEEK. | TWO WEEKS. | FOUR WEEKS OLD.
UNFERTILIZED ON LEFT; FERTILIZED ON RIGHT.

UNFERTILIZED (SIX WEEKS OLD). FERTILIZED.

UNFERTILIZED (EIGHT WEKKS OLD). FERTILIZED.

UNFERTILIZED (TWELVE WEEKS OLD). FERTILIZED

THE COW PEA. 21

needs from the air. If, however, the supply of either
potash or phosphoric acid in the soil are insufficient, then
only a corresponding amount of nitrogen will be absorbed
from the atmosphere.

The practical application of this is then, that "the
more phosphoric acid and potash there are supplied to the
growing crop, the larger will be the amount of nitrogen
drawn from the air." This condition is well described as
making the crop " nitrogen hungry," or, to state the proposi-
tion in other words, if liberal quantities of phosphoric acid
and potash are supplied and nitrogen not given, the plant
absorbs sufficient nitrogen from the air to balance the sup-
ply of phosphoric acid and potash already used, and not a
particle more. Nitrogen is more expensive than any other
element in a complete fertilizer, hence it is economy to
assist the cow pea crop to secure, free of cost, the largest
possible quantity of nitrogen from the air. The larger the
amount of phosphoric acid and potash supplied to the crop,
to the limit of its healthy feeding, the greater is the assimi-
lation of the free nitrogen of the air; and so, financially, the
larger the investment in phosphoric acid and potash, within
the above limits, the greater the repayment or dividend in
the form of the more expensive nitrogen. The limit of
plant growth is determined largely by the mechanical con-
ditions of the soil and a suitable supply of moisture to make
the plant food available. Plants grown on soils in good
condition can use a larger amount of fertilizer than those
on soils too hard and dry for the full development of roots.

^ THE COW PEA.

Phosphate and potash fertilizers should always be ap-
plied before the seed is planted, whether the planting is
done broadcast or in drills. In the former case, the fertilizer
should be sown broadcast and covered by the ploughing or
the same harrowing which covers the peas. In the latter,
the fertilizer may be strewn along where the rows are to be,
and afterwards mixed with the soil by opening the drill
with a bull-tongued plough. It would be better to use a
fertilizer distributer, which thoroughly mixes the fertilizer
with the soil and opens the drill at the same time.

A good mixture for cow peas is 300 Ibs. of acid phosphate
and 100 Ibs. of muriate of potash per acre. In case kainit
is substituted for muriate, four times as much is required—
that is, 400 Ibs. — to furnish the same amount of actual pot-
ash. If a commercial brand of fertilizer be used for cow
peas, perhaps the best proportions, on average soils, are
about 8 per cent, available phosphoric acid and 6 per cent,
actual potash, applied at the rate of 400 to 500 pounds per
acre, and thoroughly mixed in the soil before the peas are
sown.

If the young plants display a sickly yellow appearance,
about 75 Ibs. of nitrate of soda ought to be used as a top
dressing, but in order to avoid injury to the plants in top
dressing, the nitrate should be mixed with four or five times
its bulk of dry earth to dilute it and insure a more uniform
distribution.

As a rule nitrogenous fertilizer is not required for cow
peas, and under the circumstances above mentioned,

THE COW PEA. 23

even when actually needed, a small application suffices. The
average farm land is deficient in nitrogen, but when this
element is to be supplied in the form of commercial fertil-
izer it is better perhaps to apply it to corn, cotton, grain,
grass, and other crops, which do not obtain it from the air,
rather than to the cow pea, which does so gather it for itself.
It appears that, when the cow pea grows on a soil naturally
rich and well supplied with nitrogen, the plant becomes
"lazy," and draws from the nitrogen already in the soil be-
fore exerting its natural and peculiar power of collecting it
from the air by means of the little nodules on its roots. Thus
every habit and characteristic of the plant shows that the
true economy of the cow pea is to restore poor land with
the aid of potash and phosphoric acid rather than to de-
plete good land and use nitrogen which can be employed to
better advantage in producing other crops which need it
more. In discussing fertilizer for cow peas, or other
crops, no unvarying rule can be formulated. Soils differ so
much that a mixture giving good results on one field may
fa'l or be wasteful on another. Fields on the same farm,
often those lying side by side, differ in their crop re-
quirements. One experiment at the Delaware Experiment
Station showed that where 160 pounds of muriate of potash
were used per acre the yield of cow pea vines was doubled,
while phosphoric acid was apparently without effect. Here
was a soil naturally strong in phosphoric acid, yet it would
not be safe to accept this result as a sure rule for general
fertilizing. On most soils of low-producing power, potash

24 THE COW PEA.

is a most useful element for the cow pea, but phosphoric
acid is also more or less needed. The one great object 03
fertilizing is to fully supply the mineral needs of the plant
guided by the well established principle that when these are
supplied in abundance there is a corresponding gain in
nitrogen.

A little practical experimenting soon indicates about
how much potash and phosphoric acid to use. Applications
of different quantities of these two ingredients on several
parts of a field afford opportunities for comparison. Sandy
soils are usually deficient in potash; clays, in phosphoric acid,
to applications of which they usually quickly respond. On
sandy soils the cow pea can make good use of 500 to 600
pounds of kainit and 300 to 350 pounds of acid phosphate
per acre. If muriate of potash be used in place of kainit,
135 to 150 pounds will answer. On clay soils less potash
and more phosphoric acid may be used. There need be no
fear that the potash and phosphoric acid above the actual
needs of the crop will be lost. It is far wiser to run the risk
of over rather than under supply, inasmuch as most of the
surplus will be stored up and available for subsequent crops.

PLANTING.

Cow peas may be planted any time in the spring when
one soil is warm enough for planting beans, and thereafter,
until within two months of the time when fall frosts are
expected. Being of tropical origin, the plant develops best
in warm weather, and nothing is gained by planting too

Tttfc cow PEA. *5

early. This is of special importance in the north. A cold
rain may cause delay in germination or decay of seed and
result in irregular stands. A few chilling days may give the
young plant a check from which it is slow to recover. In
practice, the time varies for planting to suit the purpose for
which the crop is grown. The season of beginning its
growth materially modifies its time of maturing as well as its
tendency to produce vines or runners. It is a common
saying that "early planting makes vines, but late planting
makes peas." For bulky, luxuriant vines, (or late grazing,
green manuring, or winter covering for the ground, early
planting of some late maturing variety is correct; but, where
seed is the object, planting should be timed to allow only
for safe maturing before frost. In the south it is common
to sow late maturing varieties shortly after cotton is planted,
and the early kinds from the opening of the spring to late
in August. In the north the season is too short for the late
ripening varieties, so early maturing sorts should be planted
at about the same time as beans or melons.

The choice and advantage of sowing broadcast or in
drills depend on the object in growing the crop, and, inci-
dentally, upon the time of sowing and the cost of seed and
labor. In broadcasting, no labor is needed in cultivating,
and the vines soon cover and shade the ground, so that the
crop costs simply the seed and the sowing and gathering;
in drills, the labor and expense are more and the quantity
and quality of the yield usually better. More seed is
required for broadcasting than for drills, and at least one

26 THE COW PEA.

bushel per acre should be used. In the north five pecks
are suggested. When put in drills these should be 2 £ to 3 J
feet apart, and the sowing may be done with an ordinary
corn drill. A wheat drill can also be used to advantage by
plugging or tying up the holes so as to make the rows 3^
feet apart. This will require about three pecks of seed per
acre. When neither a corn drill nor a grain drill is available
the planting may be done by hand, scattering the seed in
previously opened furrows, and covering by hand or by any
convenient implement. The covering should be from i to
2 inches deep ; on very light soils 3 inches does no harm,
in a dry season or in naturally loose, dry land, deep planting
is advisable. When seed is cheap and labor scarce broad-
casting is usually the better plan; but when seed is dear
and labor cheap and abundant, drilling pays better. In
whatever way the planting be done the ground should be
left level and smooth, especially if the crop is to be cut for
hay. In the south where crab grass is abundant, its
growth is liable to choke out the young peas and check their
development in a wet season — a point which should be given
careful consideration in the choice between broadcasting
and drilling.

CULTIVATION*

When sown in drills, peas should be cultivated two or
three times to keep down weeds and mellow the soil until
the vines are large enough to shade the ground. The first
cultivation should be given with a smoothing harrow or
weeder just as the peas are coming up, and the after-culti-

THE COW PEA. 27

vation with a five-tooth cultivator, or at least a cultivator
which runs very shallow, for deep cultivation is wholly un-
necessary. Peas planted between rows of corn, sugar cane
or other crops are sometimes given one cultivation when
the main crop is laid by, but oftener receive no attention
from planting until gathering; sown broadcast, of course,
they cannot be cultivated.

Northern fruit growers have discovered a new use for
cow peas. After much discussion it has been decided that
a wise treatment for bearing orchards is to give thorough
surface cultivation until about August first, and then leave
the ground to some "cover" crop, that is, a crop that will
make a rapid growth through the late summer, form a
soft carpet for falling fruit and for protecting the land dur-
ing winter, and then leave a large quantity of vegetable
matter for ploughing under in the spring. As early in the
spring as possible, cow peas are sown in drills through the
orchard — or even in hills 2 J feet apart — and from the time
the plants are up, constant and thorough cultivation is
given. By August first, the vines are too large for the cul-
tivator and they are left to grow at will. In some instances
crimson clover is sown among the cow pea vines at the last
cultivation, and, with a variety like Early Black, the clover
makes a fair start and covers the ground after the frost kills
the cow pea vines. Such an orchard treatment has many
advantages, for which no other plant combines in itself so
many virtues. It can be planted early, permits con-
stant and thorough cultivation, provides a vast amount of

THE COW PEA. 29

vegetable matter, decays during winter, and permits
early spring ploughing. Some orchardists find it pays, as
well as benefits the fruits and trees, to turn in hogs and
sheep in time for them to eat the early windfall fruit and
tfork up the excellent pasture into fat, marketable live

stock. ,

SAVING FOR HAY.

Cow pea hay is best if cut and properly cured when the
earliest pods begin to ripen. There is less hay, and that
inferior in quality and nutriment, if the harvesting be too
early, but stems become hard and woody, parts of the
leaves and seeds drop and are lost, and the hay is even less
valuable when cutting is too long delayed. This hay cures
slowly and is subject to heating — similar to red clover — for
which reason it needs to be thoroughly dry before it is
stacked or mowed in a barn. Unnecessary handling causes
loss of leaves and should be avoided. The haymaking
should begin only when the weather promises to be fair.
Curing cannot be "rushed," like that of grasses, hence it is
better to allow the crop to become a trifle over-ripe rather
than attempt to save it in rainy weather. The dry yield is
usually from two to three tons per acre, and no hay crop of
that size can be cut, dried and stored without great labor.

Prof. E. R. Lloyd, of Mississippi, who has had a long
experience with the crop, describes his method of harvesting
and curing it as follows :

"The mower is started in the morning as soon as the

is of! and run until noon, or until as much has been cut

30 THE COW PEA.

as can be handled in the afternoon. As soon as the top of
the cut vines is well wilted, the field is run over with a ted-
der to turn the vines over and expose them more thor-
oughly to the air and sun. When the crop is very heavy
the tedder is used the second time, though this is seldom
necessary. Vines which have been cut in the morning
and tedded in the afternoon, may usually be put into
small cocks the next afternoon, and, if the weather prom-
ises to be favorable, left to remain in the cocks two or three
days before they are hauled to the barn. If it should rain
before the vines are put in cocks, they are not touched
until the surface is well dried off, and then tedded as
though freshly cut. Those in cocks are not opened until
well dried on the outside, and are then only handled enough
to secure a thorough airing. A light rain does little dam-
age to the hay, even after the curing has begun, if handled
promptly and properly, and a heavy rain for a day or two
may fall en freshly cut vines and do little or no damage.
The essential point in making hay is to do the work as rap-
idly as possible, and to avoid any handling of the vines
when wet with either dew or rain. We find that it pays
well to use a tedder for stirring up the freshly cut vines so
as to admit sun and air freely, though, if a tedder cannot be
had, the work can be done nearly as well, though more
slowly, by using a fork."

Mr. C. B. Matthews, of Virginia, after growing the crop
for more than thirty years, says:

"I cut with a rake reaper, beginning in the morning

THE COW PEA. 31

after the dew is off, and continuing to cut until 3 P. M.,
throwing the vines in small piles. If the ground is dry and
the weather clear, I put the piles into medium sized shocks
on the following day, handling carefully with the fork, to
avoid shattering peas and leaves. In two or three days, if
the weather is favorable, the shocks are ready to be housed
or to be put into stacks. Not having house room, I stack and
top off with wheat straw. The peas are gotten out as the
hay is needed in the winter."

The two dangers to be guarded against in saving the
hay are over-drying, so that the leaves become brittle, drop
off and waste, and failure-to-dry so that the thick, succulent
stems retain sufficient moisture to cause mould and decay.
The former danger may practically be escaped by cutting
before the plants become ripe; the latter, by leaving the
hay in cocks until it is so dry that no moisture can be
twisted from the larger stems.

Some growers provide for curing the hay by erecting
sheds with tiers of poles, somewhat resembling tobacco
barns. The wilted vines are placed in layers on these poles
to give free access of air above and below each layer, and
tnus cause gradual evaporation o'f juice and moisture and
perfect curing. This method makes hay of the very finest
quality, but is too slow and expensive to be practised on a
large scale.

It is not safe to bale the hay directly from the field.
Even when it appears perfectly dry, it may still contain
sufficient moisture to cause heating and moulding if packed

32 THE COW PEA.

at once. The only safe plan is to put it for a few weeks
into stacks covered with straw, or into a barn, where it
should not be piled too deeply, and allow it thus to remain
until all "sweating" is over and it is thoroughly dry. It
may then be packed without danger of afterwards finding
rusty or mouldy hay in the centre of the bales.

It is somewhat doubtful if the cow pea can be recom-
mended for general haymaking at the north. It ripens
at a season not favorable for curing green fodder and when
other farm work is pressing. Good hay has been made
from it at the north, but the chances are against great suc-
cess with it, and the northern farmer will do better to re-
gard it as a manurial or pasture crop. Some northern
dairymen have used it as a soiling crop cut green and fed
to the cows, still its chief value in cold climates is as a
nitrogen gatherer and soil restorer.

SAVING SEED.

When the pea crop is grown between corn rows, or is
fairly ripe before it is grazed, or remains on the ground for
a winter cover, it is usually good economy to gather the
seed. This is commonly done by hand-picking, often by
women and children, who work for a share, usually one-half
of the crop.

Some growers prefer the plan of storing the unshelled
pods through the winter. This serves in a measure, but not
completely, to protect the seed from weevil. Others, in or-
der to save storage room, thresh as soon as the pods arQ

THE COW PEA. 33

thoroughly dry. Instead of gathering the seed separately,
some delay cutting until a considerable proportion of the
pods is ripe, and then depend on the peas shelled in
handling and found in the bottom of the mow for a seed-
supply for the next crop.

Threshing may be done any time after the pods are
thoroughly dry ; on farms where only a few bushels of seed
are saved this is usually done with a flail. When grown in
quantity, they are commonly threshed more easily, rapidly
and economically by a "pea-huller." Sometimes the crop
is cured as hay, and then run through an ordinary threshing
machine from which the concaves and alternate teeth of the
cylinder have been removed, and the speed reduced by
putting on a 20 or 24 inch cylinder head. The yield of seed
varies greatly, ranging from 6 to 10 bushels per acre, grown
between corn rows and only once picked, to from 20 to 30
bushels, or more, grown alone, allowed fully to mature and
all the seed saved.

The same weevil which attacks the garden bean, lays
her eggs on cow pea pods before they are gathered, and
there is not now any known means of preventing her doing
so. If the seed be stored where there is an even tempera-
ture, a few degrees above freezing, there is further danger
of a second and third brood hatching during the winter, and
seriously injuring the seed before spring. This injury can
be prevented by treating the stored seed with carbon bisul-
phide, which affords a cheap and complete protection. The
treatment is very simple and should be given as soon as the

34 THE COW PEA.

seed is threshed and before it is stored for the winter. Put
the seed into tight barrels or boxes, and pour in about one
ounce of bisulphide for each bushel 'of seed. As soon as
the poison has been poured in, tightly cover the top of the
barrel or box with old sacks or any convenient material to
confine the fumes of the chemical and enable it to kill all
insects present. If the seed be kept for late planting, it
may again become infested in the spring, when a second
treatment should be given. The bisulphide does not injure
the peas for planting or for table use, but is very inflamma-
ble and must be kept away from any fire. A lighted lamp
or lantern, or even a lighted pipe, must not be brought into
the building where the seed has been treated, until the
peculiar odor of the chemical has disappeared, which will
be in about three days.

GRAZING AND SOILING.

Cow peas are among the best crops for grazing and
soiling, as they give more and better feed, in their season,
with less expense than any other crop which can be grown.
By a judicious selection of varieties, fields ready for
use can be secured at any time from midsummer until
cold weather, and a good part of what is needed for this
purpose can be grown as a " catch crop " without interference
with the regular crops grown on the same ground. This is
especially so when they are grown between corn rows, being
planted when the corn is " laid by " and grazed after the corn
is gathered. Probably one-half of the cow peas grown in

COW PEAS. UNFERTILIZED ON RIGHT; FERTILIZED ON LEFT,
EXPERIMENT FARM, SOUTHERN PINES, N. C.

36 THE COW PEA.

the southern states are grown and grazed in this way, and
are always regarded as furnishing the best possible grazing
for milch cows, fattening animals and hogs. The erect
varieties are preferred for this purpose, as the climbers
tangle the corn and interfere with its gathering. When
pastured, the droppings from the animals return nearly all
of the fertilizing elements of the crop to the soil, and benefit
the field nearly as much as though the entire crop were
ploughed under as a green manure. The meat and milk pro-
duced represent clear profit. The crop does not bear
continuous grazing, still it gives abundant feed for a month
or six weeks, and, by arranging a succession of fields, good
pasture may be provided during several months.

More actual feed is produced with less waste per acre
when the vines are cut or pulled for soiling, for which this
is a standard crop wherever soiling is practised. Heavier
yields are secured by planting the climbing varieties with
corn or sorghum in the same rows, at the same time, by
which method each crop produces nearly as much as either
one planted alone. The stubble of vines cut before they
have blossomed frequently sends up a considerable second
growth, but the total yield is seldom more than that secured
by a single cutting at maturity.

THE COW PEA AS A RENOVATING CROP.

The cow pea always leaves the soil in which it grows in
better condition than before the crop was planted. The

THE COW PEA. 37

plants act mechanically, by sending their long tap roots deep
into the subsoil, loosening and making it more porous, and
chemically, by collecting and assimilating the free nitrogen
of the air and making it available food for future crops.
Soil improvement is the chief object for which it is grown
in this country. Not that its extensive acreage is due alone
to its fertilizing effect, but its value for that purpose is an
additional and important reason why it is used in preference
to any other hay or forage crop. How to use this reno-
vating and fertilizing power to its full and best advantage
is a matter of prime importance.

In strong contrast to the established fact that most
other cultivated crops decrease the fertility of the soil,
stands the fact that the cow pea increases it. A few other
plants, including the beans, field peas, clovers, alfalfa,
vetches and melilotus, all like it belonging to the legume
family, produce a similar fertilizing effect. The explanation
formerly given of the fertilizing power of these plants was
that their long tap roots bring up plant food from the
subsoil, and, on their decay, leave it within reach of shallow
rooted plants, usually grown after peas. This explanation
is now known to be incomplete. The plants do, to some
extent, act in this way, but not sufficiently to account for
anything like their full effects — a difference soon recog-
nized on soils deficient in nitrogen between the soil effects
of legumes and of other deep-rooting plants, in satisfying
the demands of the crops which followed. Experiments,
undertaken to solve this problem, demonstrated the fact

3° THE COW PEA.

that legumes, or pod-bearing plants, are capable of growing
on artificial soils originally wholly devoid of nitrogen.
This led to the discovery that legumes have the faculty
of taking up the free nitrogen of the atmosphere, holding
it fast and mingling it with the soil, — a discovery of the
greatest importance, in view of the fact that plants of other
families wholly lack this power to make use of the unlim-
ited air supply of nitrogen constantly surrounding them.

Nitrogen is one of the three necessary fertilizer ele-
ments, and at the same time the most expensive. It forms
but two or three per cent, of the weight of common plants,
but it is absolutely necessary to their growth. About four-
fifths of the weight of air is nitrogen, and in the air resting
upon a farm there is nitrogen enough to produce many
crops, yet such plants as corn, wheat, potatoes and cotton
cannot utilize it, and so may be starving, though surrounded,
literally enveloped, with plenty. It is of no more use to
them than the waters of a lake would be to a man floating in
it in a water-tight cask. This is not true of the cow pea and
legumes, or pod-bearing plants, so markedly possessing the
rare faculty of utilizing the nitrogen of the air. They use
this atmospheric nitrogen to build up their own plant tissue
and convert it imo such forms that other plants can use it.
Those who have u^ed nitrate of soda know that it will show
in crops quicker thari cotton seed meal or tankage. Yet,
after the latter has been in a warm, damp soil for some
time, it also becomes available and the plant quickly
responds to its use. Though the meal, the blood, and the

THE COW PEA. 39

tankage contain nitrogen, certain chemical changes must
take place before this nitrogen can feed the plant. In
the nitrate of soda these changes have already taken
place, hence the nitrate is at once effectual. In like
manner, atmospheric nitrogen is not available to most
plants, but the cow pea is capable of making it over and
combining it so that it is. Those who have seen the
pigeon feed its young have a clear illustration of the way
the cow pea plant feeds other plants. The mother pigeon
gathers, swallows, and partly digests the food, and then
brings it up to her mouth as "pigeon milk" and feeds it to
her young. This subject is explained at some length to
show why the cow pea on poor land gives such wonderful
results with only the addition of the mineral elements, pot-
ash and phosphoric acid. The value of most manures
depends largely upon their rapidity of decay, to bring their
nitrogen to plant support. The cow pea vine decays
quickly, and is probably the "quickest" in its manurial
effects of any green manuring crop.

An examination of the roots of a healthy cow pea,
or other legume, discloses many little bunches, enlarge-
ments, "nodules" or "tubercles," varying in size from
that of a small pinhead to a pea. These have about the
consistency and much the appearance of very small pota-
toes, but an examination with the microscope shows that
they contain vast numbers of livings things, actually
myriads of minute living organisms, scientifically named
bacteria. These bacteria draw the small mineral part of

40 THE COW PEA.

their nourishment from the roots on which they grow, but
the far greater nitrogen supply essential to their life, they
gather from the air which circulates through the soil. Each
individual of these low forms of vegetable life exists only for
a few hours, and at death mingles with the soil and goes
through a process of decomposition, similar to that which
takes place in other organic matter. The only difference is
that when vegetable matter decays, it leaves in the soil
only what it has taken from it, but these bacteria add the
nitrogen they have absorbed from the air and changed into
a form available for succeeding crops.

When plants, other than legumes, such as rye, mus-
tard, oats, etc., are used for green manuring, they really add
no plant food to the soil, except what they have absorbed
from the same source during their growth. It is true,
though, that they change some of the plant food, which the
soil already contains, into a more easily available condition,
but the cow pea and other legumes do the same and also
enrich the soil by their accumulations of nitrogen, which, as
stated, is the most expensive element of fertility.

The value of any material as a soil renovator depends
largely on the nitrogen, potash and phosphoric acid it con-
tains. The following table, from the Year Book (1895) of
the U. S. Department of Agriculture, gives the average
percentages of nitrogen, potash and phosphoric acid in
common hay and fodder crops. As these percentages are
largely influenced by the water content of the material, the
table also shows the percentage of moisture:

THE COW PEA. 41

PHOSPHORIC

HAY OR

WATER

NITROGEN

POTASH

ACID

FORAGE. PER CENT.

PER CENT.

PER CENT.

PER CENT.

Cow Peas,

10.95

i-95

1.47

l& '52 "

Red Clover,

n-33

2.07

2 . 2O

.38

Alfalfa,

6-55

2.19

1.68

v'\ -51

Timothy,

7-52

1.26'.

.90

?;?.; -53 "

Wheat Straw,

12.56

•59 .

.51

. 12

Cow peas cut for hay are more or less immature; in the
fully mature crop the plant food percentages change, that of
potash especially, becoming considerably larger.

The assertion has been made that the cow pea crop
leaves the soil in better condition J than it found it, which
is strictly true only when the whole crop is turned under
for manure, — green manuring. The cow pea, like every
other legume, harvested or removed from the grountl
where grown, leaves the soil as rich in nitrogen as before
it was planted, but unless, while it is growing, potash
and phosphoric acid are supplied fully to satisfy its hunger
for them, it actually leaves the soil much poorer than it
found it. The great value of the growing cow pea, next to
its power of taking nitrogen from the air, is its wonderful
ability to utilize potash and phosphoric acid. Wnen these
minerals are liberally used on the cow pea crop, the soil
gains far more than the cost of the fertilizer, — the growth is
much larger and more rank and the atmospheric nitrogen
secured corresponds in abundance.

THE COW PEA. 43,

The renovation of soils through the use of cow peas de-
pends:largely on the use to which they are .put. The stubble
and roots contain considerable fertilizer, and the nitrogen is
mostly gain ; but much potash and phosphoric acid are re-
moved in the crop taken off, and unless this loss be made
good by applications of mineral plant food, cow peas ae*
tually exhaust the soil. This point is important and needs a_l-
ways to be kept clearly in mind. Cow peas, in common- with
wheat, require plant food, notably potash and -phosphoric
acid; but .wheat requires nitrogen plant food, cow peas do
not. The whole difference between legumes and non-
legumes is stated in this one point of feeding. Among
legumes, the cow pea stands first and pre-eminent as a crop
producer of fertilizer nitrogen. It may be grown between
crops of wheat and thus furnish nitrogen for many successive
crops.

The soil improvement is well illustrated by an exami-
nation of the foregoing table. A ton of timothy hay
contains 25 pounds of nitrogen, 18 pounds of potash and IQ
pounds of phosphoric acid. All this must be supplied by
the soil. A ton of cow pea;-hay "contains 40 -pounds of
nitrogen, 30 pounds of potash, and 10 pounds of phosphoric
acid, of which only the latter two need be supplied by. the
soil. Suppose both are returned to the soil in the shape of
farmyard manure: estimating roughly, in the case of timo-
thy, the soil receives back what it gave to the timothy, but
in that of the cow pea, it receives not only what it gave, bulb
40 pounds of nitrogen in addition thereto.

44 THE COW PEA.

UTILIZING THE CROP AS A FERTILIZER.

Among the many methods for using the cow pea crop
for benefiting the soil are :

1 . Ploughing under the entire crop while green.

2. Allowing the crop to remain and decay on the
surface of the ground during the winter and ploughing it
under in the spring.

3. Grazing the field and then ploughing under the
stubble, roots, and droppings of the cattle.

4. Mowing the field for hay and then ploughing under
the stubble and roots.

While it is true that ploughing under the entire green
crop will add the greatest amount of plant food to the soil,
nevertheless it is not always economy to follow that
method. The forage is worth as much for food as an equal
weight of red clover, and since about 80 per cent, of the
fertilizing value is retained in the manure, it often pays
better to feed the pasture or hay and return the resulting
manure to the land. On good soils the roots and stubble
from the peas furnish sufficient nitrogen, and it remains only
to supply an amount of phosphoric acid and potash suited
to the following crop. On a very light soil it is not desirable
to turn under a heavy mass of green forage, thus to make it
still lighter and looser and liable to suffer from hot dry
weather, but it is better to wait until the vines have had
time to become thoroughly decayed. Again, a late matur-
ing crop on land not protected by a growing crop or sod,
Curing the winter is often nearly wasted, and its fertilizing

THE COW PEA. 45

elements washed away by heavy rains leaching through the
unfrozen ground. It has been found in the south, that
ploughing under a crop of cow peas is very likely to sour
the land, and therefore, it is not to be recommended.

From what has been stated, it is clear that judgment
must be used regarding ploughing under the entire crop,
otherwise a positive injury may be done to the soil.

On other lands and under other conditions, ploughing
under the entire green crop is often the most profitable and
best disposition to which it can be put. Where humus is
lacking and needed, especially on stiff clays, nothing else
available so quickly betters the physical conditions of the
soils so well as to loosen them up by turning under the
entire bulk of vines. The after-effect of such ploughing
under on a heavy soil, which grows only a light crop of peas,
is little short of wonderful. Whenever, on such a soil, a light
crop of peas matures early enough to be followed by another
crop of peas, or winter growing wheat, oats, or vetch, it is
usually better to plough under than to graze, when other
pastures are good. The prevailing weather at harvest
time may often determine whether it is best to plough
under or harvest the crop.

As a protection to a light soil, liable to wash, during the
winter, it is often actual economy to allow the pea crop to
decay on the surface and postpone ploughing until spring;
in doing this, to be sure, there is some loss of fertilizer by
winter winds and washing, but there is more than a compen-
sation in what the vines retain and hold in place.

46 THE COW PEA.

' * Theoretically the most economical way to use the crop
is to graze the fields and plough under the stubble. The
solid ^and liquid droppings of the animals contain nearly
all of the plant food that was in the forage. There is a
small loss, -but it is hardly as great as when the vines are
left on the ground during the winter.

Grazing the field and turning under the stubble and
animal droppings do away with the difficult, often expen-
sive Work of ploughing under a great mass of vines, when
labor is scarce or wages -high. Cow pea pastures are espe-
cially valuable for milch cows and growing hogs, and make
more milk and pork per acre than any other grazing. Hogs
use the crop more closely than cows, and are less particular
about quality of food, so it is well to let them finish what
the: cattle have left. Hogs make good growth and fatten
onjsueh pasture, yet it. is .better to add some other and suit-
able-feed during the last month or so. of their feeding for
market or pork, or "finish off." on corn, as otherwise meat
and fat are likely to be too soft, and lacking in quality and
delicacy of flavor. As. intimated above, a fairly good pea
£!rop is rather difficult to plough under wii;h its entire mass
of fresh, green vines, but grazing a few days makes the
covering easier and causes practically no loss of plant food.

On soils already in condition to produce a heavy growth
of peas, and where grazing is not convenient, if the crop
be made into hay, the soil is.-5.till greatly improved. The
roots, stubble,' and waste from, the hay, furnish all the nitro-
gen needed for the following crop, and the hay costs simply

WELL DEVELOPED COW PEA VINES, SHOWN BY CAPT. MCNAIR,
SUPERINTENDENT EXPERIMENT FARM, SOUTHERN PINES, N. C.

±% tkfe COW PEA.

the labor ^i harvesting it. A heavy pea crop on such land
generally pays better made into hay than pastured or
ploughed under. In this connection note that this book is
for every-day use and deals with average conditions. Of
late some able and scientific writers, probably blessed with
ample means, have been protesting against the wastefulness
of ploughing under cow peas. It is asserted that vines, to
make a ton of hay, if turned under green, add only about as
much actual fertility to the soil as one-third of a ton of high
grade guano, but, turned into hay, fed to live stock and
their liquid and solid excrements carefully saved and re-
turned to the land, increase the fertility twice as much. All
this and more is strictly true and worthy of consideration
and diligent study, but vast numbers of tillers of the soil
lack live stock, suitable buildings and yards, labor and bank
accounts. The farmer may find it much more profitable to
follow the less economical method of ploughing under than
of buying complete fertilizer, converting into hay or leaving
his fields unfertilized. He may make the cow pea a " catch
crop " year after year until he thus brings his land to a high
state of productiveness,, at no further cost to him than that
of his labor at seasons wh.en his labor has no actual cash
value.

To repeat, briefly, a heavy crop of vines is more profit-
able grazed off or made into hay ; a light crop on stiff soils
is more profitable ploughed under green. A light crop in a
very sandy soil or liable to wash during the winter should
be left to decay on the surface of the ground.

THE cow PEA. 49

COW PEA HAY.

According to chemical analysis, well matured cow pea
hay ranks with, or even surpasses, clover and alfalfa hay,
both of which have feeding values about equal to wheat
bran. This is explained in the following more scientific
chapter, " Food Elements and Values." Here is simply and
briefly shown the comparatively great feeding value of this
particular hay on farms where stalks and ordinary cured
grasses yield the chief fodder, and are often supplemented
by feeding with them corn meal or corn on the cob. A
fodder or forage to be economical must be something more
than cheap in money cost. It must be composed, in cor-
rect proportions, of all those elements of food necessary for
producing and sustaining animal growth. To give too
much of one kind of food and not enough of another is
certainly wasteful, and may mean even starvation. Corn,
corn fodder, and dried grasses generally are fat producers;
cow pea hay is a muscle, structure and vigor producer. In
the south, where crab and such other natural grasses grow
and are cut and cured with the cow pea, the resulting mixed
hay contains very nearly the correct and proper proportions
of muscle and fat-producing elements. At the New Jersey
Experiment Station, an acre of cow peas produced muscle-
making food (protein) equivalent to that contained in 2,500
pounds of wheat bran.

FOOD ELEMENTS AND VALUES.

The most important and valuable parts of food are: —
First, mineral substances, which serve for the development

5O THK cow PKA.

and support of bone, blood, nerves, and muscles. These
constituents of food are grouped under one heading and
are known as ' 'The Ash. ' ' Second, materials which contain
nitrogen. These are converted into lean meat, skin, hair,
the casein and albumen of milk, etc., and are termed by
chemists the "Proteins." Third, sugars, starches, oils, fats,
and similar materials, often classed chemically as "nitro-
gen free" and "ether extracts." Both classes taken to-
gether form the "Carbo-Hydrates."

These three, "ash, protein, and carbo-hydrates," vary
in degree of digestibility, which is also affected by the
source whence each is derived. Generally speaking, fats
and sugars are more easily digested than starches or pro-
teins— grain, than hay; hay, than straw. In addition to the
needs enumerated is that of heat and energy for the animal
body, which gets its glow and power, as does a steam engine,
by the the consumption of carbon. For producing this heat
and energy, "fats" and "ether extracts" are about two and
four-tenths times more effective, pound for pound, than
starches, sugars and other "nitrogen-free" materials, that
is, 2.4 times the digestible parts of each and not their total
amounts. This may be stated in the form of a working rule.
Ascertain the chemical and digestible composition of the
food under investigation, arid multiply the amount of digest-
ible fat by 2.4, and to the product add the amounts of
digestible fibre, starch, etc. ("nitrogen -free extract") . The
sum shows approximately the digestible carbo-hydrates
contained, which divided by the digestible proteins gives the

THE COW PEA. 51

relative value or ratio of these two. This subject is exten-
sively treated in "The Digestibility of American Feeding
Stuffs," published in Experiment Stations Bulletin No. 77
of the U. S. Agricultural Department: " Range of allowable
ratio probably greater than you give it; tendency of later
experiments in that direction." — Hall.

The economical and profitable growth and support of
animals require their food to contain one part of protein to
from five to seven parts of carbo-hydrates. Within this
range, the proper ratio must be determined by the ani-
mal fed and the object in feeding. The cow pea is dis-
tinctly a protein feed, as may be seen from the following
table of Prof. W. A. Henry, in his book " Feeds and
Feeding":

FOOD CONSTITUENTS OF COW PEAS AND
. OTHER FEEDING STUFFS.

ASH. CARBO- ETHER NUTRITIVE.

PER CENT. PROTEIN. HYDRATES. EXTRACTS. RATIO.

Cow Peas, Grain,

3

. 2

18

•3

54.

2

i .

I

i :

3-

i

Soy Beans, "

4

• 7

29

.6

22 .

3

14-

4

i :

i .

9

Oats,

3

.0

9

. 2

47

,3

4.

, 2

i :

6.

2

Corn,

• i

•5

7

•9

66,

•7

4.

o

i :

9-

7

Wheat,

5

.8

12

. 2

39

. 2

2

•7

i :

3-

7

Cottonseed Meal,

7

. 2

37

. 2

16

•9

12

. 2

i :

i .

2

Cow Pea Hay,

7

•5

10

.8

38

.6

I

. I

i :

: 3-

8

Soy Bean

6

. 2

10

.8

38

•7

I

•5

i :

: 3

9

Clover

6

. 2

6

.8

35

.8

I

• 7

i

: 5

9

Timothy ''

4

•4

2

.8

40

• 4

I

• 4

i :

: 16

-7

52 THE COW PEA.

The cow pea then, belongs strictly to the protein class,
with a narrow nutritive value in close relation to carbo-
hydrates, in the ratio of one to three and one-tenth for the
seed and one to three and eight -tenths for the hay, while
timothy and other true-grass hay has a wide ratio of about
one to sixteen and seven-tenths. Between the ratios of
from one to five and from one to seven, under ordinary cir-
cumstances, is proper and economical feeding. The cow pea
or any other ration over-rich in protein should be mixed
with a carbo-hydrate; two tons of cow pea hay fed mixed
with one ton of timothy or like hay is a far richer and more
profitable forage than the three tons fed separately. Where
there is not a natural mixture at time of growth and harvest-
ing (to which reference is made in the preceding chapter)
it should be made at feeding time, — cow peas with grasses,
or roots, or corn-fodder or the like. Without some such
combination, part of the protein is lost, because animals are
unable to digest and assimilate that which is in excess of
the correct ratio.

It has already been incidentally stated that cow peas,
clovers and other legumes contain an excess of protein, while
corn-fodder, timothy, red top and such grasses do not con-
tain enough. This is strictly true and worthy always of
consideration, still there are times and circumstances under
which means must be adapted to ends even if scientific rules
are disregarded. Sometimes it is cheaper and better
economy to let the excess of cow pea protein waste than to
incur unprofitable expense to secure the chemically correct

THE COW PEA.

53

proportion, — to graze a bulky growth of vines to make
ploughing-under possible, — to feed coarse, cheap cow pea
hay alone rather than to buy high priced timothy or other
feed to mix with it. For milch cows and fattening animals,
it is better to have the nutritive ratio too narrow than too
wide. The foregoing table shows a close resemblance in
the composition of pea vine hay and wheat bran, and prac-
tical experience is in harmony with the table. Many dairy-
men find in the cheap pea a substitute for the costly bran.
In this connection, the director of the Delaware Experiment
Station says: " It was found that with pea vines in a ration,
bran could be dispensed with. The butter yields were
slightly increased by their use without impairing the
quality." The discovery and recognition of this fact have
done much to advance the dairy interests in the south.

COW PEAS FOR ENSILAGE.

Well preserved pea vines make silage far superior to
corn, sorghum and other crops commonly used for this
purpose, but it is difficult to preserve them alone. A
growth sufficiently rank to make them profitable for silage is
such a matted, tangled mass of vine that it is almost impos-
sible to run it through a silage cutter; and, stored without
cutting, they cannot be so closely packed as to exclude the
air and prevent mould and decay, and consequent loss.

The most practical method with them for the silo is to
grow cow peas and corn in the same rows, so that the viires

54 THE COW PEA.

may twine around the stalks, and the whole be easily cut
and handled together. The mixing of the two crops adds
largely to the yield and makes the silage of much better
quality. A ton of such a mixture has a feeding value fully
10 per cent, higher than that of an equal weight made from
corn alone. For this purpose the "Whip-poor-will" is one
of the best varieties, and should be planted with a common
hand corn planter when the corn is about six inches high.
By planting at that time, the vines run nearly or quite to
the tops of the stalks, and mature a good part of their seed
by the time the corn is fit for cutting. The vines thus
twined about the stalks are readily run through the cutter.
Corn silage is poor, but that of cow peas is rich in protein,
so the mixture makes a more satisfactory food than that of
either taken separately.

COW PEAS IN CROP ROTATIONS,

The cow pea is one of the annual legumes which can be
used to advantage in crop rotation ; it is possible to select a
variety which will occupy the ground and mature at any
time during the hot weather. The planting may be early
in the spring so as to get the crop out of the way in time
for sowing fall wheat or oats, or it may follow the harvesting
of either of those crops and still mature before frost.
There are other varieties which will occupy the ground
during the entire season when it is not needed for other
purposes. Whenever land would otherwise be idle during

THE COW PEA. 53

any two months of warm weather, a crop of cow peas may
be grown upon it with profit in the crop itself and with
benefit to the land by keeping it from being burned by the
heat, whipped by the wind, washed by rains or made foul
by weeds.

The particular rotation followed must depend on the
other crops grown, but the cow pea succeeds under so many
different conditions that it can fit almost any rotation
system. The proper rotation on each farm depends upon
the location, the special needs of the soil, and the business
management of the farmer, so, in this respect, no specific
directions can be given here. The best that can be said,
and a rule that may always be followed with advantage is,
to sum up what has just been said, no matter what other
crops are grown or rotations followed, whenever the land
can be spared during any two months of warm weather, put
in a crop of cow peas. There will be a profit in the crop
itself and the ground will be put in the best possible con-
dition for the following crop.

COW PEAS COMPARE!) WITH OTHER
LEGUMES.

Each of the leguminous crops, cow peas, alfalfa, red
clover, melilotus and others, has its place, its advantages
and disadvantages. At least one of these crops must be
grown on every economically managed farm, for the grow-
ing of legtimes is the least expensive method of restoring

56 THE COW PEA.

exhausted soils, keeping strong soils good, and providing
plant food for future crops.

Red clover has long been a standard crop, wherever it
could be grown, valued alike for its hay and its fertilizing
effect in the soil. It does not thrive on all soils or under
all conditions. Where it has been grown for a long time,
the soil becomes "clover sick" and fails to produce the
abundant yields of former years. It is a perennial and so
cannot be made profitable in the south unless it occupies
the land at least 18 months; in the north it is expected to
occupy the land at least two years. It is not adapted to
growth over as wide a range of territory as the cow pea,
and on many soils comparatively sterile or in a bad mechan-
ical condition fails, while the cow pea produces a heavy
crop. In fact, cow peas are often grown on such soils to
prepare the land for seeding to clover.

Alfalfa is undoubtedly the best perennial legume for the
western country, where irrigation is practised, and is also of
great value in the southern part of the country where red
clover does not succeed, but it has many of the weak points
of red clover. Both crops are liable to "bad catches,"
"winter killing," "dying out," "root-rot," and other troubles
to which the cow pea is a stranger. It is rarely profit-
able east of the Mississippi and north of the Ohio Rivers.

Melilotus is of great value on many soils in the south,
though little esteemed in the north. It only grows on
soils rich in lime, occupies the ground for two years, and
yields a hay inferior to that made from cow peas.

THE COW PEA. 57

The beggarweed has the advantage of being a volun-
teer, springing up with crowfoot and crabgrass after other
crops have been laid by or harvested, and then it makes
good fall grazing. It has no merit at the north, is of very
little value for hay, and thrives only on the sandy soils in
the extreme south.

Vetch and crimson clover are both annual winter grow-
ing legumes of value within their individual and limited
spheres. Where they flourish, there are no better winter
growing forage and fertilizing crops, and each is often used
to precede or follow a cow pea crop. Unfortunately
neither can be grown over a very wide extent of territory.

The velvet bean makes a more vigorous growth than the
cow pea, its vines often reaching 75 to 100 feet in length.
It grows on a variety of soils, but to mature requires the
whole of a very long season. North of latitude 31 degrees,
that is, beyond the Gulf region, it seldom ripens seed. Two
crops of early cow peas can be grown in less time than one
crop of this bean. Where it grows naturally, it makes
good grazing, and is, perhaps, the best crop where the sum-
mer growth is to be left on the surface of the ground as a
winter covering, but it is difficult to make it into hay, and
practically impossible to plough it under green.

The cow pea makes as good hay or pasturage as any
other legume; its fertilizing effect on the soil is not ex-
celled ; it is hardier and can be grown on a greater variety
of soils, under greater extremes of climate and over a wider
extent of territory, and can better fill the place as a "catch

I»

^2

£s

C5 2
S el
2 2

II

/THE COW PEA. 59

crop," either early or late in the season, than any other.
Other leguminous crops are sometimes more desirable in
certain localities and for certain purposes, but undoubtedly
it is more valuable to the country at large than is any other
known legume.

SUMMARY.

1 . The cow pea can be grown in all parts of the coun-
try where dent corn succeeds.

2. Different varieties produce plants of widely differ-
ent habits, some erect and shrub shaped, others with long
trailing or climbing vines; some ripen seed within two
months from planting, others require six months or longer
for their maturity.

3 . The variety for planting is to be selected according
to the use to which the crop is to be put, and the time of
planting.

4. Thorough preparation of the soil before planting is
as profitable for cow peas as for any other crop ; the greater
the care in this respect, the greater the satisfaction and
profit in the yield.

5. Phosphoric acid and potash need to be applied
liberally to promote the heaviest growth and to insure
absorption of the greatest possible amount of nitrogen
from the air.

6. A small amount of quick-acting nitrogenous fertil-
izer is sometimes valuable in giving the young plants a
prompt and vigorous start, but too much is unprofitable,

60 THE COW PEA.

7. Cow peas may be planted whenever the ground is
warm enough for planting beans or melons.

8. Drill-planting requires less seed and more cultiva-
tion, and the yield is usually heavier than when sown
broadcast.

9. When saved for hay the crop should be handled like
red clover, but must not be baled until some weeks after it
is gathered or before it is thoroughly dry. Its yield is
usually from 2 to 3 tons of dry hay per acre.

i o . Seed stored for winter should be treated at the time
of storing, with an ounce of bisulphide of carbon to each
bushel to prevent injury by weevils. This treatment should
be repeated in the spring if the seed is kept until summer.

11. The cow pea is one of the best plants for tem-
porary pastures, and, by a proper selection of varieties,
gives good grazing from early summer until late fall. As a
grazing crop it is especially valuable for producing milk,
growing young stock (especially pigs) , and fattening all kinds
of domestic fowls and animals.

12. The cow pea is one of the most effective fertilizing
plants. It draws its nitrogen from the air, and in this
way obtains and stores this otherwise most expensive
element of fertility free of cost.

13. A heavy growth of vines usually pays better
grazed or made into hay; a light crop, on stiff soil, is more
profitable ploughed under green, and a light crop, on very
sandy soil, or on soil liable to wash during winter, is best
left to decay on the surface of the ground.

THE COW PEA.. 6l

14. Hay made from cow peas is very rich in protein,
and if mixed with that of any of the true grasses the feed-
ing value of the mixture is far greater than either fed alone.

1 5 . Cow pea hay is an excellent substitute for wheat
bran, is comparatively cheaper, and therefore, of special
value to dairymen.

1 6. When grown together there is very little trouble
in handling cow peas and corn for the silo, and the com-
bined silage is of much better quality than that made from
corn alone.

17. The cow pea can be used to great advantage as a
green manure crop at any time during the summer and in
almost every crop rotation.

1 8. The cow pea can be grown successfully over a
wider extent of territory and on a greater variety of soils
than any other legume, and there are few farms on which it
cannot find a profitable place.

62 THE COW PEA.

EXTRACT OF BULLETIN 26 OF THE GEORGIA
EXPERIMENT STATION.

I. FORM OF PEA.

(a) Spherical. Nearly all varieties having round 01
spherical seeds are "Crowders," that is, the seeds are packed
closely in the rather short pods.

(b) Kidney-shaped, includes all varieties except those
grouped as " Spherical."

2. COLOR OF SEED.

(a) White. Blackeye, Bluehull, Browneye, Conch,
Green, Large Lady, Large White, Pony, Purplehull, Red-
eye, Rice, Small Lady, Small White, Sugar, Taylor, Vacuum,
White, White Brownhull, White Crowder, White Giant.

(b) Buff or Cream. Clay, Everlasting, Green, Un-
known.

(c) Pink and Red. Clovin, Flat Red, Large Ued, Pale
Red, Purplehull, Red, Red Crowder, Redding, Red Ripper,
Red Yellowhull, Small Red, Tory.

(d) Mottled and Speckled. Black and White, Calico,
Chocolate, Coffee, Gourd, Granite, Indian, King, Lilac
Redpod, Matthews, New Era, Redpod, Saddleback, Speckled
Crowder, Whip-poor-will, White and Brown, Williams.

(t) Black. Black, Constitution, Congo, Shinney.

WhipporwiU
Congo
New Era
Small Lady

Large

Black Eye

Clay
Black

Speckled

Crowder

Calico
Redding
Red, Ripper
Wonderful

* c

+i

TWELVE LEADING VARIETIES OF COW PEAS. NATURAL SIZE.

64 THE COW PEA.

3. SIZE OF SEED.

(a) Large. Bluehull, Calico, Coffee, Congo, Gourd,
Granite, Indian, King, Large Blackeye, Large Red, Large
White, Lilac Redpod, Matthews, Red Ripper, Red Yellow-
hull, Speckled Crowder, Vacuum, White Crowder.

(b) Medium. Black, Blackeye, Browneye, Chocolate,
Clay, Conch, Green, Large Lady, New Era, Pea of Back-
woods, Pony, Purplehull, Crowder, Quadroon, Red, Red
Crowder, Redeye, Red Pod, Shinney, Taylor, Unknown,
White and Brown, White Brownhull, Whip-poor-will, Wil-
liams, Wonderful.

(c) Small. Black and White, Bluehull, Colvin, Consti-
tution, Everlasting, Flat Red, Green, Pale Red, Redding,
Rice, Saddleback, Shrimp, Small Lady, Sugar, White.

4. GROWTH AND HABIT OF PLANT.

What has already been said shows that any grouping
based alone on habit of growth must be almost wholly arbi-
trary. The entire character of growth and fruiting is influ-
enced, modified and even entirely changed by early or late
planting, by location North or South, by soils, by rainfall
and other climatic conditions.

In the list given below, varieties are grouped according
to their growth, when planted in May and June, on soil of
medium fertility, in the Northern part of the Gulf States.

(a) Trailing. Black, Black and White, Coffee, Conch,
Everlasting, Large Red, Large White, Redeye, Tory,
Williams.

THE COW PEA. 65

(b) Half Trailing. Bluehull, Calico, Chocolate, Coffee,
Congo, Constitution, Granite, Gourd, Large Lady, Lilac
Redpod, Matthews, New Era, Pony, Purplehull, Crowder,
Redding, Red Ripper, Red Yellowpod, Rice, Shinney,
Shrimp, Sugar, Taylor, Vacuum, White, White Brownhull,
Williams.

(c) Erect. Blackeye, Browneye, Clay, Coffee, Flat Red,
Green, Pale Red, Red Crowder, Speckled Crowder, Un-
known, Whip-poor-will, Wonderful.

Planted early on rich soil, nearly all varieties grouped
as " Erect " develop a more or less trailing habit late in the
season, and then may be included in group (b), but planted
late, or on thin soil, they remain bushy and erect. A wise
comprehension of this paragraph will save the beginner
from disappointment in growing this crop.

5. TIME OF MATURITY.

(a) Early. Black and White, Bluehull, Browneye,
Chocolate, Coffee, Congo, Granite, Green, King, Large
White, New Era, Red Crowder, Redeye, Red Yellowpod,
Rice, Saddleback, Whip-poor-will.

(b) Medium. Blackeye, Clay, ' Coffee, Green, Indian,
Large Lady, Lilac, Red Pod, Pony, Rice, Small Lady,
White, White and Brown, White Brownhull.

(c) Late. Black, Bluehull, Calico, Clay, Conch, Ever-
lasting, Flat Red, Gourd, Matthews, Pale Red, Purplehull,
Crowder, Quadroon, Red, Redding, Red Ripper, Rice, Shin-
ney, Shrimp, Small Red, Speckled Crowder, Sugar, Taylor,
Unknown, White Crowder, Williams, Wonderful.

THE COW PEA.

Peculiarities and characteristics of some of the more
common varieties named in this grouping, are the follow-
ing:

Bluehull. Half-trailing, or sometimes trails but slight-
ly; small leaves and tender stems; medium in size and blue-
black in color; seeds large, white and wrinkled; matures
early.

Calico. Half-trailing, or sometimes widely trailing;
small leaves and slender stems; dark green and vigorous;
pods large and yellow; seeds very large, mottled red and
white ; ripens late.

Clay. Tall, erect; large, dark green leaves; stems of
vigorous growth; pod large and yellow; seeds kidney-
shaped, medium size, cream colored; medium to late in
ripening.

Gourd. Trailing or half-trailing; small leaves and
stems; pods yellow and very long; seeds large, mottled
black and white; ripens very late.

Large Lady. Half-trailing; slender leaves and stems;
pods yellow and small; seeds kidney-shaped, white, medium
in size; ripens medium early.

Pony. Half-trailing; leaves and stems dark green, me-
dium size; pod small and yellow; seeds kidney-shaped,
medium size; white and wrinkled; medium in time of
ripening.

Red Ripper. Vigorous, half-trailing; large, dark green
leaves and stems; pod yellow, medium size; seeds large,
dull red; matures very late.

THE COW PEA. 67

Unknown. A very vigorous grower; erect when planted
iate, but widely trailing when planted early; pod large,
nearly white; seeds medium size, buff or cream colored;
matures late.

Whip-poor-will. Usually an erect grower and rarely
climbs; pods gray, long and full; seeds large, nearly
spherical, mottled red and white; matures early. One of
the best varieties for late planting and growing between
corn rows.

White. Trailing, or half trailing; small leaves and
slender stalks; pod yellow, medium size; seeds small, kidney-
shaped, white; matures early.

White Brownhull. Vigorous growing, half trailing ;
small leaves and slender stems; pod medium size, dark
brown or nearly black ; seeds medium size, white ; medium
early.

The Louisiana Station reports a test of 46 different
varieties and gives the yield of vines and seeds of "'he ten
leading sorts as follows :

YIELD OF GREEN VINES.

(POUNDS PER ACRE)

1. Red Ripper, - 25,256

2. Unknown, - - 21,730

3. White Brownhull, - 21,320

4. Clay, - - 20,664

5. Calico, 20,008

6. White, - 19,352

7. Pony, - - - 19,352

68 THE COW PEA.

8 Large Lady, - - 19,106

9. Gourd, 18,368

10. Bluehull, - - 17,748

YIELD OF SEED,

(BUSHELS PER ACRE)

1. Calico, - 37.1

2. Clay, 34-3

3. White Brownhull, 33.8

4. White, , 31.9

5. Unknown, - 30.5

6. Gourd, 3°-3

7. Pony, - 29.7
6, Rice, 28.3
9. Large Lady, 27.8

10 Red Ripper, - 27.1

THE

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THE COW PEA

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