72 



VOANDZEIA SUBTERRANEA (bAMBARRA GROUND-NUT) 



As there has been occasion to remark, the seeds possess 

 a considerable nutritive value, and when crushed up dry 

 with the husks might be used as fodder for stock. 



Water 



Ash 



Cellulose ... 



Fat 



Non-nitrogenous matter 



Nitrogenous matter 



In establishing the nutritive ratio it is seen that this 

 leguminous plant is a complete food, for if we take one part 

 of fatty matter as equivalent to two parts of matter containing 

 carbohydrates, the relation of nitrogenous matter tcj non- 

 nitrogenous matter is as 4 : 7. This proportion constitutes a 

 normal food, and this without taking any account of the 

 cellulose. 



The ordinary pea-nut does not seem to make as great 

 a call on the fertilizing elements as the ]^()andceia, the 

 recjuirements of which are apparently greater. 



In 1,000 KILOS OF FRUIT 



The nitrogen, being derived from the atmosphere, may 

 be neglected, and although the amount of phosphoric acid 

 is 3 kilos higher in the ordinary pea-nut, on the other hand 

 there is treble the amount of potash in the Voandseia, 



In any case, it is a most useful plant, yielding a healthy 

 provender at a low price. As a leguminous, that is to say, 

 as a restorative plant, we prefer its rival, which, by its greater 

 spread of leaf surface, will yield a larger amount of manure 

 of higher nitrogen content. 



