PSOPHOCARPUS TETRAGONOLOBUS (POIS CARRE) 1/9 



It reproduces fairly easily, but requires a certain amount 

 of attention during- the tirst months of growth; manuring, 

 weeding, hoeing, 6cc. After fruiting the plant dies, but 

 remains, so to speak, perennial through its root, which, as 

 we have already noted, stores up a reserve which allows 

 the plant to resume growth the following year at the recur- 

 rence of the rains. 



In Anjouan, and the Comoros generally, Psophocarpus 

 palustr.is grows in the wild state associated with Muciina 

 pruriens, a wild vetch and a wild amberique. We owe 

 these particulars to our colleague, M. Desruisseaux, who 

 further informs us that the young inflorescences are some- 

 times eaten as salad. 



Seeds from the Comoros sown by M. Boname at Reduit 

 have produced plants whose stems trail considerably, and 

 whose roots soon establish themselves in the soil. They 

 form a verv thick covering, and do not lose their leaves in 

 summer like the ordinary Pois carre ; they thus offer the 

 advantage of perennial plants, living for several years. 



This species yields black seeds half the size of those of 

 the Pois carre, and pods 4 to 5 cm. long, containing on the 

 average three seeds. 



This legume might be used as a rotation crop, the only 

 point being- that it would require acclimatizing in those 

 localities where it was to be used. As the plant thrives well 

 nearly everywhere this would not be difficult. 



We have had occasion to notice in Mauritius that the 

 roots of Psophocarpus tctragonolobus were sometimes 

 attacked by a Nematode worm, Heterodera radicicoJa. After 

 an examination of sections which we sent him Professor 

 jNlaublanc confirmed our statement. He wrote as follows : 

 " The excrescences on the roots of the Pois carre are due to 

 Heterodera radicicola; your preparations, I may sav, are 

 very good and clear. I see the tissues are strongly hyper- 

 trophied, with cavities (several of which are empty) formed 

 by the bodies of females swollen with eggs. In one of the 



