Cleveland County herald., 1918-08-08
PLANT COWPEAs
AND SOY BEANS
'ie'a valuable Grain and Hay and
Add Nitrogen and Improve
the Soil.
by L. W. Osburn, Agricultural Expee-
lment Station, University OF Ark
anSaQ

iinent station, University OF Ark
ansas.
one of the most important forage
crops which can be grown by Arkan-
'ses farmers during the present war
@rls's is the cowpea It has a general
aoaptat1on and can be grown on soils
N any part of the state. It is partic-
uiariy valuable as crop to be grown
on poor soils since. like other To-
gumes, it uses atmospheric nitrogen
and improves the soil.
How and When To Plant.
Inc cowpea can be adjusted to
any sort of cropping system. Plant
Gu alone Just as soon as the ground
warns up in spring It is ready for
nay or Tor grazing by hogs after tho
middle OF July or in early August.
Planfed following small grain 1t pro-
huce5 q good yield of hay or provides
grazing for hogs in early fall. its abil-
lty To resist drouth is we'll known and
the coWpea flourishes during the hot
test summer weather. Cowpeas may
De planted either in rows or broad
cast Seeding in rows Is an advan-
tage because less seed is required.
Inc rows should be % to So inches or
just wide enough for cultivation.
About one-half bushel of seed to the
acre IS required. Broadcast seeding
at the rate of 60 to 30 pounds to the
acre is an advantage on good land IN
that no cultivation is necessary.
Can Be Planted in Combination With
Other Crops.
CoWpeas may be planted In combi-
nation with corn and this is especial
~ desirable from the standpoint of
soil Improvement. However cowpea,
grow exceedingly we'll in combination
with sorghum and Sudan grass. On
good lands the planting of cowpeas IN
the row with the corn is often prac-
'iced 10 good advantage when the
crop Is being utilized for livestock.
Gowpeas itay be planted broadcast in
he fie7ti when the corn Is waist high
md make very desirable growth
which can be utilized to good advan-
age by livestock. 1t is a very desir-
able practice, especially on the ordi-
nary uplands over the state, to plant
eowpeas between wide rows of corn.
Cowpeas do not seem TO compete with
the corn and good yields of both crops
may be secured. For this purpose tho
cowpea is an advantage over tho soy
bean since the cowpea utilities most
of the entire season for its growth.
whereas the soy bean reaches matur.
ity, leaves falling off and the seed
shedding all at one time.
Varieties To Grow.
Varieties of cowpeas differ In time
If maturity and in manner OF growth
Varieties having bunch habit are de-
slrable since they may be cut more
easily with a moving machine. There
are 3 number of varieties which are
very desirable and suitable for grow
Ing III this state. The Brabham and
Iron are good varieties since they are
wilt resistant The New Era cowpea
r. a medium early variety. especially
popular on bottom lands where too
: much vining Of tho plants is not de-
'irabie. Tho Whippooi'will and Croft
ire both good seed and forage produc-
rs uadeY most conditions. Certain
trains 81 HACK cowpeas are popular
because of their late maturity and the
act that tie seed can stand out in
he weather for some time without
citing.
The Soy Eean.
In addition to the cowpea the soy
bean should not be forgotten since 1t
IS also legume, grows vel. on prop
erly inoeulated soil, increases the nj
rogen content of the soil considera-
hrives during the hottest summer
leather. II will grow on a variety of
oils. Different varieties are grown
tiocessfuily under the same climatic
onditions as corn.
Prepare Seed Bed Well.
The seed bed for the soy bean must
well prepared and planting can be
ono any time after the severe frosts
re over until July l.
Varieties For Seed Production.
The Mammoth Yellow is the most
ammon variety grown in this state.
IS late il time of maturity and pro-
ices well OF both seed and forage.
le Mammoth Yellow has large vol.
" seeds With high oil content and Is
UGH in demand for paint manufact.
Sc. Othervarieties such as the Haber
ndt and Medium Yellow have seeds
nilar in appearance but are earlier
~ maturing and make lighter growth
forage Other varieties very sun
lie for feed and forage production.
1t not SO commonly grown, are he
irginia. Arlington, Wilson and Pc.
ng. These varieties have somewhat
aer stems than the Mammoth and
e an advantage for forage preduc-
on.
When harvesting soy beans for
ed, cut promptly when leaves
We fallen and before pods begin to
rst. II cutting is delayed. there is
nssar of loss from shattering. When