294 DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. PliaseoluS. 



TIlis 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 lands, 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 m atered, if there is no rain, from a ri- 

 ver or some adjacent tank, then slightly ploughed, and >vhile 

 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. In a good soil, and with 

 a favourable seasoiij it yields about thirty fold. The ripe 

 grain is well tasted, is esteemed wholesome, and aftbrds 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 stift" 

 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 sutler 

 exceedingly during the hot season, Avhen vegetation, except 

 in large trees, is almost entirely at a stand, and the surface of 

 the earth truly clad in russet gray. The plants of this class, 

 like the papilionace^ in Europe, improve the land on which 

 they are raised ; Avhereas the culmiferous, rice excepted. 



