Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-05-09
LEGUMINoUS FORAGE CROPS FOR SOUTH

COwpeaS are grown more widely In
the cotton region than any other
leguminous crop. They are fairly well
adapted to all types of soil, when well
drained, and they make good crop
for either hay or pasture. Cowpeas
are easily grown, and the seed is rel
atively inexpensive. They may be used
to occupy the ground as regular crop,
but are also well adapted as catch
crop for pasturage or for green ma
nure. When we'll cultivated. they leave
the soil in good condition to harrow
without blowing for grain or other
crops.
There are many varieties of cow
peas. which vary considerably In hab-
its of growth and time of ripening.
The WhippOorwill and the Croft are
vigorous, upright growers and there
fore well adapted for heavy yields of
hay. Trailing varieties, like the Black.
the Red Ripper, or the Unknown. are
good for pasture and to leave on the
ground during the winter for soil en-
richment. Under each of these three
names. however, various different va
rietieS occur In the seed trade. The
Iron and the Brabham are noted for
their resistance to wilt and root knot.
diseases which frequently occur, and
they alone should he used where these
pests are prevalent.
Cowpeas may be sOwn in rows or
~
mits of cultivation. requires less seed.
and usually gives better yields, while
the latter way requires less labor.
When SOwn in rows they should be
from three to four feet apart. and from
two to three peckS of seed per acre
should be used Sorghum or corn is
sometimes sOwn with cOwpeas TO he
used for hay or siage. The cOwpeaS
are held off the ground in this way.
and the stalks keep the cut cowpeas
loose. so that air is admitted more
readily and the hay is easily cured.
Curing cowpeas hay during a rainy
season is difficult, and for this reason
should be done at such times
that the cOwpeas will be ready to cut
during the dry weather which is COM
mon in September and October in most
parts of the South. The hay should
be cut when the pods begin to turn
yellow, but cutting may be deferred
tin later in case of unfavorable wealth
err. The ordinary mower is the best |
for cutting. When the vines
tod e,1 l.
turned with tedder or pitchfOrk and |
may then remain for "a hours or so |
before being raked into windows. The
hay sl@es'ti then be put into cocks and |
remain there until 1t is sufficiently |
cured for hauling to stack or barn.
When the weather is especially favor
able the curing may be done in the
thereby saving the labor
Of cooking. IT it gets wet in the wind
row it should be spread out to dry as
soon as the water has dried from the !
surface. A convenient device some
times used for drying cowpea hay may
De made with strips or poles six feet
Ong Joined at the top and held four
FEET apart at the bottom by means of
ross pieces The vines are piled upon
his rack, which permits the air to cir
'ulate freely among the vines, thus
'uring them quickly and satisfactorily
With little loss of leaves.
Soy Beans.
The SOY bean is a comparatively new
rop in this country. but one which has
asst gained favor In the South and
Worth alike The soy bean withstands
Try weather well, and makes hay
imilar in quality to that from cow
YEAS. 1t grows erect and holds its
caves better than cowpeas, but has
more fibrous stem. Soy beans produce
eavier seed yields than cowpeas and
he seeds are richer in feeding value.
here are many different varieties,
Which vary in time of ripening from 80
avs from sowing to the entire grow =,
1g season. r.ip. ..-.-..t I" ~ '.'-'.'-. ~
Soy beans, like cOwpeas. are sown
roadcast or drilled, but, being erect IN
re well suited to cultivation in rows. I
lows should. be placed three or more F.,
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