The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1881-04-01
THE COW PEA.

The value of this pea, if its advanta-
ges were known. would be great bat
as it has been principally grown in the
South. il is only very recently that 1t has
been brought TO the attention of North
ern farmers. Even in the South it has
not received the notice due 10 plant SO
important TO agriculture in that section
which it deserves, for il has really been
the means of rescuing some of the south
ern plantations from total exhaustion.
The cow pea, though called pea, IS real
Iva bean. 1t win grow on soil that scarce
ly produces anything, but Is, however,
sensible to the effects of good manuring,
and rewards the farmer for such treat
ment with bountiful yields. 1t IS lndl-
genous to the Middle States and the
South, pTeferring a warm season ana dry
soil. There are a great many varieties
of it, the most prolific being the Crowd
er: but the ''black-eyed' is preferred
for the table.
As a renovator of the soil, next to clo-
yer. il has no equal. Growing with a
heavy, dense foliage, plowed under Just
at the period of blOsSoming, 1t makes
splendid green pasture, rotting quickly
aud producing lasting effects. 1t can
be grown for this purpose on land that
will not produce clover. and that is
very important item. On inferior land
that has had 4 crop of cow peas turned
under. if slight sprinkling of lime IS
added, venture may safely be made
with clover the following year. IL IS
planted about the same time wi h corn.
! 1t can also be sOwn for hay, but care
must be taken in harvesting 1t properly
Ii allowed TO get too ripe the leaves Will
crumble off after it is slowed away III
IL wi N
som. or Just as the Young pods begin to
form. and then cured like ordinary hay,
il will keep we'll all the winter. Co SS
eat it with relish, and for sheep moth
ing is equal to it-Lhey eat il up clean,
being very fond OF il. The seeds are
more nutritious than our ordinary white
bean. stock preterring IL WHEN cooked 10
corn or meal, while calves are raised on
them with ease where L Is eSIrable TO
wean early. For the table they are
cooked not only when dry but also when
green, being a fayUrite dish on Virginia
and Carolina tables There in a preju-
dice against it OH the part Cf those not
familiar with it Oh account Ot the dark
color it takes when cooked but If the
nutri ious qualities Of the pea were fully
known no difficulty would be experience
cd in making j: a staple article of food.
i lie cow pea = WpIlDN o. UtlIR islllO-
duCed to every farmer. It's value as an
article of food for man and bpast, The
large crops Of fodder Tor bushy vinel il
produces. its adaptation 30 the lightest
and poorest soils and its usefulness as a
mauurial crop place it far above many
other plants that are grown to its eXciu-
sion. 1t has no enemies among the in-
sects, and it is in that particular free.
( from damage. y heavy crop OF it viii
( so completely cover the ground that not
even a ray of sunshine can enter. and it
/ is often necessary to pass over the vines
with heavy roller in order 10 get them
ploughtd under From twenty 10 forty
! bushels of the peas are usually produced
to an acre, and if they have been well
manuTed previous 10 seeding the crop of
I hay will be very large. One of the most
! important advantages the pea cOnfers on
J the land is the Shading it gives, some eX-
peTienced farmers cOnteuding that toy
! this method ii rather improves the soil
) then Injuries il. \ small OUTLAY will en-
able any one to try the COW pea. and
+ those who have not grown it should do so.