DOLICHOS BULBOSUS (yAM BEAN) II3 



chew, and notwithstanding long periods of cooking, the 

 tubercles are never sufficiently done to be capable of being 

 eaten like the potato. We consider it must be a question 

 of personal taste, and until we have received proofs to the 

 contrary we cannot think that its consumption will ever 

 become general. 



M. Teissonnier has published a note on this plant, which 

 was introduced into French Guinea by the efforts of the 

 officials of the Colonial Gardens of Xogent-sur-Marne, and 

 M. Chalot, who gives an account of the article, states that 

 the author advises pinching off the stems from those roots 

 which are intended as food. The tirst pinching off should 

 be carried out when the plants are about 30 cm. high, and 

 the second when the stems are on a level with the props 

 which support them. The object of these nippings and the 

 suppression of the flowers is to prevent the absorption of 

 sap by useless portions of the stems, or by the flowers, to the 

 detriment of the bulbs. M. Teissonnier obtained in this trial 

 19 tons of edible tubercles to the hectare. 



He says that in Mexico it is cultivated on a large scale. 

 As has been mentioned already, this plant adapts itself to 

 nearly all soils, but the most favourable condition for its 

 growth is a light and sandy soil. It is sown at the com- 

 mencement of the rains, and owing to its prolific growth 

 should be spaced out at intervals of one metre. If the use 

 of this tubercle as human food is limited, its value as fodder 

 is correspondingly great. 



Its immense productivity at practically no cost is one 

 cause of its success. It is true that it contains a great deal 

 of water, but that does not prevent its use as a supple- 

 mentary ration. The tubercles may be harvested when growth 

 has ceased and the plant has withered. In dry localities 

 they may be left in the soil and withdrawn as thev are 

 needed, but this period should not exceed two months and 

 a half to three months. Its composition is as follows : — 

 8 



