994 DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. Phaseolus. 
This plant is a considerable subject of the Indian far- 
mer’s culture. It requires a strong, rich, dry soil. During 
the rains it is sometimes cultivated on high Jands, that. do 
not retain water long; but the greatest quantity is raised 
during the cold season, on rice lands. Immediately after the 
_ rice is cut, the ground is watered, if there is no rain, from a Ti- 
ver or some adjacent tank, then slightly ploughed, and while 
moist the grain is sown, and harrowed in by dragging some 
bushes over it. The natives have no other harrow, although 
I have made one and often caused it to be used before them 
to harrow in Indigo seeds, yet though fully satisfied of its 
superior value to any thing they had any idea of, not one 
will follow the example. But to return to P. Mungo ; it re- 
quires no further care; the dews which are copious at this 
season, furnish all the moisture it requires, In from seventy- 
five to ninety days, it is ready to cut. Ina good soil, and with 
a favourable season, it yields about thirty fold, The ripe 
grain is well tasted, is esteemed wholesome, and affords much 
alimentary matter, of course it is high priced, being nearly 
as dear as rice, and is much used in food by the natives, 
Cattle do not like the straw ; beside it is reckoned very un- 
wholesome for them, on account of the great quantity of stiff 
hairs, which cover every part of the plant. 
In India we have many plants of this class, that cattle will 
not eat; whereas in Europe they are all greedily sought af- 
ter, and esteemed the richest food for them, Many of them are 
there extensively cultivated for that purpose ; here I know of 
none, nor indeed any vegetable whatever, that the natives cul- 
tivate for their cattle, except the straw of the plants cultivated 
for the food of man, they trust entirely to bountiful Nature. 
In consequence of so much neglect, the poor animals suffer 
exceedingly during the hot season, when vegetation, except 
in large trees, is wlenoee entirely at a stand, and the surface of 
the earth truly clad in russet gray. The plants of this class, 
like the papilionacee in Europe, improve the land on which - 
they are raised; whereas the oe rice’ excepted, 
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