90 



CAJANUS INDICUS (PIGEON PEA) 



The thought suggests itself that, as a green manure, it 

 cannot possibly give such good results as the trailing 

 Leguminosce, because, in addition to the seeds being re- 

 moved, the stems are used for fuel. Like those of a 

 number of shrubs, its roots penetrate fairly deeply into the 

 soil, and mineral elements are taken not only from the 

 arable layer but also from the subsoil. 



During growth, leaves fall on the soil in great numbers, 

 and by their slow decomposition give rise to humus. 



The following is the composition of the stems and leaves 

 of this plant, according to our analyses : — 



Thus i8'6 kilos of mineral matter are extracted from 

 the soil by 1,000 kilos of stems and leaves. The following 

 are the proportions in which the chief elements are 

 present : — 



Lime 

 Magnesia 

 Potash 

 Phosphoric acid 



3-43 kilos 



I "23 .> 

 516 „ 



2-57 ,. 



M. Krauss, in Bulletin No. 23 of the Hawaii Agricul- 

 tural Experiments Station, gives the composition of the 

 forage portion of the plant as : — 



