CAJANUS INDICUS (PIGEON PEA) 



91 



Mineral elements are found in the following propor- 

 tions : — 



Potash 



Lime 



Phosphoric acid 



1,000 kilos contain : — 



Nitrogen 

 Phosphoric acid 

 Potash 

 Lime 



0'9C per cent. 

 o"42 ,, 

 0-25 ,, 



ir3 kilos. 



2-5 .. 

 9"0 ,. 



4'2 ,, 



Although the utilization of seeds and stems means 

 the removal of fertilizing matter, on the other hand this 

 loss is balanced by the profit on the seeds, which still 

 fetch a fair price. 



In dry localities we have been informed that at times 

 the crops have been so abundant that the seeds have been 

 used as fodder for horses and other animals ; thus any loss 

 occasioned by such prolific harvests is made good in 

 another way. 



According to information we have been able to obtain, 

 a planting of pigeon pea (three seeds in each hole) may 

 produce during the three months of florescence and fructi- 

 fication 2'5 lb. of husked seeds. When dried these seeds 

 only represent a little over i lb. 



From these data it can be seen that a hectare (with the 

 hole \^ metres (5 ft.) apart each way) may contain about 

 3,800 holes, and the vield from the plants would thus be 

 4,700 kilos to the hectare, or, sav, 2,350 kilos of dry seeds. 



In Hawaii, where this plant seems to be verv popular, the 

 same yield is obtained, i.e., 4,700 kilos of seed to the hectare 

 and a larger amount the second 3'ear. 



