86 CAJANUS INDICUS (PIGEON PEA) 



M. Desbassyns praised its use as a support for peas in a 

 rotation. 



It grows wild in India and Madagascar. According to 

 Jacques and Herincq, C. bicolor was discovered in 1800, 

 whereas the discovery of the C. flavus variety dates back 

 as far as 1687. 



The pigeon pea is a plant which lives for some years 

 when suited as to soil and climate. In IVIauritius it thrives 

 well and needs no special method of cultivation. It is rather 

 susceptible to stiff breezes and does better in a somewhat 

 dry climate. 



In sowing, two or three seeds are placed in holes about 

 i| metres apart. The plants may then be left, no special 

 tending, apart from cleaning the ground whilst the plants 

 are young, being required. 



After sowing, the seeds should be covered up with about 

 an inch of soil. Germination takes place about a fortnight 

 later, and care should be taken to keep the soil clean as 

 long as the plants are not sufficiently developed to be able 

 to withstand the attacks of weeds. From then till harvest 

 they need no further attention. As regards this latter, it 

 should not be delayed till the pods are too ripe. 



After fruiting, towards the end of September, the plants 

 are cut down to within a metre of the ground, and after 

 the first rains growth recommences. This pruning is in- 

 dispensable, or otherwise the plant would produce nothing 

 the second year. By carrying it out every year the plants 

 may be kept for three years. After this thev fruit badly, 

 and even the ripe stems sometimes succumb to the attacks 

 of insects. In several countries, and particularly in Aus- 

 tralia, it is considered preferable to renew the crop every 

 year because of the difficulty of carrying out the pruning 

 without damaging the shrubs, especially after the second 

 year, when it is almost impossible to prune as one wishes. 

 If the stems are used each year for fuel, we see no reason, 

 especially for the first two years, why the crop should be 

 re-sown . 



