812 Agricultnral Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1908. 



< Velvet Bean. 



So far this leguiiiiiious pljiiit lias only been grown in an cxixMiincntal way 

 to test its capacicy as a fodder, but sullicient data have been secured to warrant 

 extended trials for its use as green summer- foi-age, for greeii manuring, and 

 as a cover crop. 



Its leading drawback is lliat it re(|uires a loe.g sununer foi' its proju'i- 

 development, as it is a nati\(' of India and thrives well in a lint, drv climate. 



Hotli plant and bean are useful as fodder for stock, and pigs relish the food 

 and provide good returns on it. It grows freely on light, sandy land, pro- 

 vided it is faii'ly well draiiu'd. When moistui'e is availahh; with summer 

 heat the plant produces enormous yields. Under ordinary conditions it will 

 give a return above the weight of cowpeas per acre. The plant grows in a 

 trailing state and produces vines running from 20 to 30 feet in length; they 

 twine around any obstacle, and ai'e often grown in conjunction with maize. 



It is a heavy cropper and has been known under favcnirable conditions to 

 produce 30 tons of green forage per aciv. The seed may be sown in the 

 warm districts in October. The roots go well down into the subsoil and 

 necessarily require a deeply ploughed soil. The seed should be sown in drills 

 3 ft. G in. apart with a space of 1 foot between each. The best fertiliser is : — 

 Superphosphate ... ... 150 1b. per ao-e. 



Sulphate of Potash ... ... 80 1b. ,, 



Cultivation should he pursued as long as the plant growth will ppi-mit. ( )wing 

 to the entangled nature of its growth it is dithcult to cut for stall green 

 feeding or hay. It is therefore best used as a grazing crop, and the pigs 

 should be turned in to eat it oti'. 



Monthly Weather Report. 



havvkesbury agricultural college, richmond. 



Summary for August, 1908. 



Rainfall . 



( Points 

 ■ I Dates 



.. 35 84 46 92 8 31 54 15 8 



2 9 58 m 101= 475 points. 



5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 2S 25 



12 3 

 Mean for 16 years, 212 i)oints. 

 Wind . KE S SW NW 



14 9 5 3 



Thunderstorms on lOlh and llth. 

 Greatest daily range of temperature, 36-2° on 31st. 

 Frosts recorded on 16th, IDth, 21st, 24th, 2Gth, 27th, 28th, 29th. 



Tlie excellent rains recorded for the first half of this month have greatly improved the prospects 

 of a successfvd sirring. 



W. MERVYN CARNE, 



Observer. 



