134 



MUCUNA UTILIS (BENGAL BEAN) 



Taking an average proportion of 46,670 kilos of green 

 fodder to tlie hectare, the totals of mineral substances come 

 to : — 



Kilos 



All these elements are returned to the soil when the 

 crop is ploughed in. Only the mineral matter in the seeds 

 used as food are withdrawn, but this loss is balanced by their 

 value as food. 



The average yield of green fodder quoted above is for a 

 crop taken during florescence. 



We see that in Hawaii the yield in green matter, after 

 the crop has fruited and the pods have been gathered, 

 averages 33 tons. 



In conclusion, it is interesting to note the use to which 

 the Bengal bean is turned in Montserrat (West Indies). It 



