The courier-index., 1918-03-08
PLANT COWPEAS
AND SOY BEANS
Yield Valuable Grain and Hay and
Add Nitrogen and improve
the Soil.

BY l.. w. Osburn. Agricultural Exner-
lment Station, University OF Ark
anSas.
One OF the most important forage
crops which can be grown by Arkan-
sas farmers during the present war
crisis is the cowpea II has general
adaptation and can be grown on soils
n any part of the state 1t is partic-
nlarly valuable as a crop to be grown
On poor soils since. like other Ie-
sumes, IL uses atmospheric nitrogen
md improves the soil.
How and When To Plant.
The cowpea can be adjusted TO
any sort of cropping system. Plant
ed alone just as soon as the ground
warns up in spring it is ready for
hay or for grazing by hogs after the
middle OF July or in early August.
Planted following small grain 1t pro-
duces good yield Of hay or provides
grazing for hogs in early fall. Its abil-
ity TO resist drouth is well known and
the cowpea fourishes during the hot
test summer weather. Cowpeas may
be planted either in rows or broad
cast. Seeding in rows is an adyan-
tage because less seed is required.
The rows should be 2S to 30 inches or
just wide enough for cultivation.
About one-half busl,el of seed to the
acre is required Broadcast seeding
at the rate of 80 to 30 pounds to the
acre is an advantage on good land in
that no cultivation Is necessary.
Can Be Planted in Combination Win
Other Crops.
Cowpess may be planted In cosubl-
nation with corn and this is especisl-
~ desirable from the standpoint Of
soil improvement However. cowpeas
grow exceedingly well In combination
with sorghum and Sudan grass. On
good lands the planting OF cowpeas in
the row with the corn is often prsc-
ticed TO good advantage when the
crop is being utilized for livestock.
Cowpeas may be planted broadcast in
the field when the corn is waist high
and make very desirable growth
which can he utilized tn good adyan-
tage by livestock. 1t is a very desir-
able practice, especially on the ordi-
nary uplands over the state, to pant
cowpeas 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 the
cowpea is an advantage over the 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
OF maturity and in manner of growth.
Varieties having bunch habit are de-
sirable since they may be cut more
easily with moving machine. There
are number OF varieties which are
very desirable and suitable for grow
ing in this state. The Brabham and
Iron are good varieties since they are
wilt resistant The New Era. cowpea
Is a medium early variety. especially
popular on bottom lands where too
much vining of the plants is not de-
sirable. The Whippoorwill and Croft
are both good seed and forage produe,
ers under most conditions. Certain
strains of black cowpeas are popular
because of their late maturity and the
fact that the seed can stand out in
the weather for some time without
rotting.
The Soy Bean.
In addition To the cowpea the soy
bean should not be forgotten since II
T. also legnme. grows we'll on prop
erly inoculated soil. increases the MI
trogen content OF the soil con3idera-
bly,. fts we'll into a crop rotation and
thriveS during the hottest summer
weather u will grow on a variety OF
soils. Different varieties are grown
successfully under the Same climatic
conditions a. corn.
Prepare seed Bed Weii's..
me eeFd oeu loI lhe SOY Oean must
be we'll prepared and planting can be
done any time after the severe fros,s
are over until July l.
Varieties For Seed Production.
The Mammoth yellow il the most
common variety grown in this state
u "a late In time OF maturity and pro
dnces cell Of both seed and forsgs
The Mammoth yellow has large vel
low seeds sith hixh oil content and Is
much In demand for paint manufact-
are Other varieties such "a the Hsher-
Isndt and Medium yellow have seeds
similar in appearance but are earlier
IN maturing and make lighter growth
of forage. Other varieties very suit
able for feed and forage production.
hu' not 80 commonly grown. ara tina