I06 DESMODIUM TORTUOSUM 



Under favourable conditions the plant develops very 

 strongly ; after harvest the stems bud anew and the plant 

 resows itself by means of the fallen seeds. 



This plant is worth propagating even when better are 

 available, as it may be turned to account in waste and 

 neglected soils, where usually one finds only useless weeds. 

 It may be grown in all tropical countries, and makes a 

 useful fodder. 



Several tests have been carried out at the Agronomic 

 Station in Mauritius, and its yield has been ascertained to 

 be as high as 59,230 kilos to the hectare. 



The stems have only a low nutritive value and constitute 

 rather a coarse fodder, containing from 50 to 55 per cent, 

 cellulose ; it is only gradually that beasts can acquire any 

 relish for such food, unless it be mixed with a fair proportion 

 of leaves and branchlets or other food. 



M. Boname gives the composition to be as follows : — 



The amount of nitrogenous matter in the form of pro- 

 teins in the leaves, when in their normal state, is 3*98 per 

 cent, or 92 per cent, of the total quantity of nitrogenous 

 matter. 



The proportions of mineral matters in 100 parts of dry 

 matter have been determined and are shown in the appended 

 table : — 



