In order to select the forage cowpea of high dry matter and protein yield, growth characteristics and yield performance of forage cowpea were investigated. The results obtained are as follows: Arn0r.g the five varieties tested, lT820-889 and lT83S-852 were top grass type, but IT830422 and lT84E-124 were short grass type. In stem diameter of soilage cowpea, IT83S-852 was the highest as 9.5mrn, but Swwon was the lowest as 7.8mm. In stem hardiness, lT84E-124 was the highest as 1.9kg/$cm^2$, but Seowon was the lowest as 0.8kg/$cm^2$. The palatability was high in the order of lT83S-852 > IT820-889 > Swwon, while IT820489 and IT 83S- 852 were lower than other varieties in 1990 and 1991 year. But palatability of cowpea was wholly lower than other soilage(Sudangrass hybrid and Soybean). In total dry matter yield and protein yield, lT820-889 and IT83S-852 were higher but IT830422 and lT84E- 124 were lower than other varieties. In conclusion, among the five varieties used, IT820-889 and lT83S-852 were higher as forage cowpea.