The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1898-03-12
Oow-pea tDoIlehos sInsnsI..l

pea kLVAtDh0b 61nGnaAa.(
ihe coW-pea is coming into proml-
nence in the North as well as the
south as a plant valuable for green
nanuring. A government report says
Oh II: There is no other crop which is
planted so extensively in the South,
Doth for its hay and it's fertilizing
value, and we have found no other
pant which will produce as large an
amount of forage and valuable fertil-
izing material in as short time. 1t
may be sown at almost any time dur
ing the summer, will grow on any soil
except the most barren, and makes ex-
CEMENT hay and pasture. Its long deep
roots bring a large amount of plant
1000 from the subsoil and leave it near
the surface, where it is available for
future crops. There are many varieties
OF the plant, which are quite different
IN their habit Of growth. Some, like
the Onkpown and the Clay, produce an
immense growth of vine, and require a
long season, while others, like the
Fea OF the Backwoods," are quite
dwarf and mature in two months from
planting. Seed of most varieties must
DC soWn every year, though of some,
IKE the Red Tory, the seed may be
ploWed under in the fall, and the land
soWn in oats, when another crop WILL
De produced after the oats are harvest
ed. When sown broadcast after wheat,
oats, OF other early crop, the running
sorts make a heavy yield of hay,
which, although somewhat difficult to
cure, is Of the very best quality. Hay
OF this kind is used almost exclusively
to furnish forage for mules on the |
sugar plantations Of Louisiana. By |
growing such a crop hay Is made at a |
very small expense, and the soil is
shaded during the driest and hottest
months, and left loose and mellow and
in the best possible condition for any
future crop. It is often desirable to
ploW under some green crop when 1t is
impossible to give up the land for the
TWO years necessary to grow a crop of
red clover or melilotus, and in such
cases we have no other plant which can
lake the place of cow-peas. Many
planters use the dwarf varieties for
planting between the rows of corn or
cotton at the last blowing, as when
crown in this way they do not inter-
ere with the growing crop and will
i've fair yield Of seed. The decaying
ines make most excellent covering
or the soil during the winter, or they
nay be used for late pasture. The roots
the soil as deeply as those of
ed clover, fact which makes the crop
specially valuable for heavy soils re-
ulring drainage. There is no other :
rop which will furnish the same I
mount of material for blowing under ,
t so small a cost. When land is not
use for other crops for even two !
lonths during the summer it will al
rays pay well to seed it with peas as
ne seed or forage which can be gath
red will fully pay the cost of seeding =
nd leave the fertilizing value of the =
'op as clear profit. Seed may be sown =
any time from May to August the
mount per acre depending upon the .
ariety and time of sowing. If one of -
lie large varieties is planted in hills
lrly in the season two quarts will
ant an acre, but If dwarf varieties t,
e sown broadcast in August not less 2
ian bushel should be used, a