80 THE SCIENCE OF CATCHCROPS 



into the ground with its huge roots. In fact, 

 anybody in England desirous of obtaining a striking 

 impression of what progress the tapioca plant can 

 make in two or three months towards monopolising 

 the land should spend a few hours in his garden 

 diligently unearthing a four or five- year- old horse- 

 radish! It is from its abnormally large roots, 

 averaging the size of a man's arm, that the tapioca 

 of commerce, and, incidentally, arrowroot, is 

 derived." 



Having raised his catchcrop, the planter's next 

 problem is the market. In this connection the 

 local market constitutes one of the elements of 

 success, for much depends upon raising products 

 for which there is a prompt and profitable demand. 

 Moreover, the demand must be sufficiently steady 

 to guarantee a permanent outlet and the market 

 must be in close proximity to the estate to save 

 the cost of bullock or other transport. 



Whatever catchcrops may be decided upon, it 

 always becomes necessary to eliminate them after 

 the fourth year of tree-planting, and to replace 

 them by some cover-crop, such as Mimosa, or Jack 

 beans, which are permanently maintained. " The 

 leguminous plants to which the Mimosas and the 

 beans belong," say the authors of Coconuts, " are 

 the most advantageous of all, because they give up 

 a goodly percentage of nitrogen to the soil, through 

 the root nodules and their rotting leaves and 



