74 CANAVALIA ENSIFORMIS (jACK BEAN) 



accounl in cxlcnso of all that has been done and published 

 on it by tiie Agricultural Station of Mauritius. 



The Jack Bean is a shrub which thrives well in every 

 portion of the Island, and its pod while green and immature 

 forms an excellent table vegetable. 



These pods are, perhaps, superior to those of the 

 haricot bean and all those who have partaken of them judge 

 their flavour excellent. Just before the seeds are quite ripe, 

 but well formed, they may be shelled and cooked in the 

 same way as kidney beans and are then ecjually good. 



The Jack Bean is of rich growth ; it easily attains a 

 height of 2 ft. (64 cm.); the stems are slightly branched 

 and possess large leaves which cover the ground well, but 

 the plant is not a climber, and will not overrun others. It 

 mav easily be grown between canes, and when in full growth 

 can be ploughed in as green manure. The insect which 

 •occasionally destroys young beans and cowpeas does not 

 attack this, and it may be sown throughout the year, 

 though the most favourable season in Mauritius is from 

 November to February and March. At certain periods of 

 the year, however, the pods are attacked by grubs, which 

 destroy a large number of seeds. This nuisance is chiefly 

 evident in a small crop; no doubt over a large area the 

 damage done would be relatively less important. This is 

 a fact which can often be noticed ; experimental crops are 

 often attacked in such a way that it might almost be be- 

 lieved that the whole tribe of insect pests had agreed to 

 meet in that particular spot, whereas the damage in a large 

 crop passes unnoticed. 



It is a good thing to introduce any new plants which 

 may benefit agriculture, but that is no reason why indigenous 

 plants which are already acclimatized and which are capable 

 of giving equally good results should be neglected. 



The Jack Bean is an easy plant to grow. When planted 

 from December to January it is in full growth and flower 

 three months later ; if grown for green manure it should 



