92 



CAJANUS INDICUS (PIGEON PEA) 



Sold on the fields at 5d. a kilo the yield from one hectare 

 would be worth 470 rupees (/,3i 6s. 8d.) These figures are 

 only relative and may vary according to conditions of culti- 

 vation, fruiting, &c. ; for instance, in India the yield in dry 

 seeds varies from 1,150 to 4,750 lb. per hectare, while in 

 Australia I5 ton is considered an average yield to the acre. 



After harvesting, the leaves may be given in their green 

 state as fodder to live stock and are consumed readily. 



\Photo hy Desriiisscaux. 



Fig. 9. — Plants of Cajanus indicus (Pigeon Pea) sheltering a 

 vanilla plantation in Anjouan. 



According to Dr. Watt, the stems of C. indicus may 

 be used for thatching roofs and manufacturing baskets. 

 Dr. Roxburg says the wood forms an excellent fuel, and 

 Birdwood states that the stems are used in the manufacture 

 of gunpowder in Government works at Mazagon. 



