CROTALARIA 



99 



Matter Abstracted per Hectare {2i acres). 



Proportions of Mineral Matters in the Different Portions 



OF THE Plant. 



CROTALARIA. 



Crotalaria derives its name from the Greelv krotalon, 

 a rattle, a reference to the sound emitted by the fruit when 

 shaken or disturbed. There are a number of varieties of 

 this plant, which is a native of India, America, Madagascar, 

 Mauritius and Bourbon, the Antilles, &c. 



It has established itself in the majority of tropical coun- 

 tries and is to be encountered more or less everywhere. It 

 reaches its greatest importance in India, where huge fields 

 are to be seen covered wuth wild Crotalari^e. 



According to Bojer a number of species of Crotalaria 

 are natives of Mauritius, e.g., the blue Crotalaria. 



The species of Crotalaria are very numerous and would 

 make an excessively long list ; we may just mention the fact 

 that some are very ornamental. 



The grower, who never wishes to miss an opportunity 

 of enriching his soil, should ascertain which of the plants 

 in this large family is best adapted to his particular type 

 of cultivation. In that of the sugar-cane Crotalaria is par- 

 ticularly useful for ploughing in as green manure. This 

 plant, which reaches the height of about 4 ft., is of very 



