The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1912-07-25
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tween the hrs: of May and the middle
Of June is usually considered the best
time for planting coWreas. However,
even when planted later than this they
give very satisfactory returns. The
one thing to watch out for is to plant
late enough to avoid danger from cold
weather in the spring. A few cold
days after the cowpeas are up may do
serious damage by stunting the plants
The ground should be IN frst-class
condition, and should be thoroughly
warm before the seed is planted.
The method of planting depends
somewhat on the purpose for which
the peas are to be used II grown for
hay, the peas may be drilled by the
use of corn drill at the rate OF
four or FIVE pecks to the acre. Some,
however, prefer to put IN as high as
two bushels This latter quantity
will give a little fiaer texture OF hay.
but will not yield as many peas as If
sown in smaller quantities.
A corn drill Is often used by plug
ging up number Of the delivery
speuts, and in this way drilling the
rows about 80 inches apart. The corn
planter is used in some cases. and the
peas are cultivated the same as
drilled corn. or the rows may be
double, thereby making the distance
between them just one-half as wide as
between the rows Of corn,
Cowpeas are often sown broadcast.
and give very good results when sown
in this way. II requires more seed
than if the drill is used. This method
is never used when the crop is grown
for seed. Cowpeas are also often
sown with corn the last time OF culti-
vation. This is perhaps because OF
the effect the cowpeas have on the
building up of the soil.
The principal difficulty in growing
cowpea hay is that which comes from
curing the same. In some cases the
mixture of cowpeas with some other
crop Is easier to grow than cowpeas
alone. It was found at the Alabama
experimental station that Whippoor-
will cowpeas combined with German
Nillet grow a good forage crop. There
is some difference In the time OF ma
turing Of these two crops, but is not
great enough to seriously affect the
results. This experimental station
recommends the growing OF German
Millet with the cowpeas as means
OF aiding the curing Of same.
In harvesting cowpeas for hay, care
should be exercised to handle the crop
so that the leaves will not be lost.
This part Of the plant Is very nutri-
tious, and the usual method. and one
that has given fair satisfaction, is to
cut the peas with mower early in
the morning when the season is favor
able. then stir up by the use OF hay
tedder as soon as the tops have be-
come well wilted. II no tedder is
available. the hay should be raked in
to windrows, and allowed to remain in
this condition until the exposed parts
are thoroughly cured. but not until the
leaves will break OF. 1t should then
be shocked in small cocks, and al
lowed to stand in this condition for
two or three days If the weather will
permit.
The use Of canvas covers for hay
oocks during the wet weather has been
found to be very satisfactory, but 1t
is also rather expensive. Cowpea hay
should not be stored unless 1t IS thor
oughly cured, because il stored before.
it is apt to become lnouldy and spoil.
Cowpeas should be cut for hay when
the leaves begin to turn yellow. The
more mature the plant, the easier and
quicker will the hay be cured, and, on
the other hand, if the plants are green
longer time will be necessary to cure
for hay.
Under favorable conditions it has
been found that the length Of time
required to mature peas after sowing
varies to some extent, but generally
the w dTISU XNcH ny Oil0 VIZ 04oloA
in 81 days; Warren Extra Early in 81
days; Whippoorwill in 80 days; Taylor
in 90 days; Clay in 81 days. This will
vary somewhat in different localities
and on different kind Of soil. but will
form a basis on which to compute the
length of season required for prcduc-
ing cowpea hay The New Era, Whip
poorwill and Wonderful have been
found to be the best adapted to har-
vest with the mower, because OF the
erectness OF the plants.
In some sections cowpea hay Is cured
by using pole set IN an upright posi-
ton across which number OF hori-
zontal bars are nailed. The green
cowpea hay is piled up around this
pole, and covered by using either a
canvas cover, or some other similar
material. often not covered at all.
This is a rather expensive way Of
curing cowpea hay. but the results
usually are very satisfactory.