202 



The analytical data are mainly the work of Mr. H. S. Ham- 

 mond, F.C.S. 



JOB'S TEARS SEEDS. 



By H. H. Cousins, M.A., F.G.S. 



Island Chemist. 



The seeds of Coix Lacrima-Jobi, popularly known as Job's Tears 

 are used as food for poultry and two samples have been submitted 

 to the Laboratory for analysis. 



The outer husk is very hard and the seeds must be crushed be- 

 fore being fed to the fowls. The digestible portion is mainly 

 starch and this food can not be recommended for laying fowls. 

 It should, however, prove a useful material for feeding to poultry 

 in process of fattening for the table. 



The analytical data as determined by Mr. H. S. Hammond, F.C.S. , 

 are as follows : — 



Constituents. 



Moisture 



Fats 



Nitrogenous matter* 



Indigestible Fibre 



Carbohydrates 



Ash 



Total 100-00 loo'oo 



* 



Nitrogen 1-19 1-05 



GRAM. 



It will probably be found advisable to grow some crop in rota- 

 tion to cotton, and perhaps the one best suited to the purpose is a 

 kind of pea or bean known as " gram."* 



It is extensively grown in India as a fodder for horses, and for 

 this purpose it is no doubt more valuable than corn, inasmuch as 

 there is a larger proportion of muscle-forming food. 



An experiment has been made in growing it at Hope Gardens. 

 On the 24th March last a small plot was planted, measuring about 

 128 sq. yards, with gram. The seeds were planted, at distances 

 of 9 inches in rows which were 2 feet apart. They germinated 

 in six days and the plants grew rapidly, without irrigation, pro- 

 ducinga fine crop of pods. Beyond weeding and stirring the surface 

 of the soil once, no cultivation appeared to be necessary. The 



*Cicer arietinum, Linn. 



