1 98 TEPHROSIA CANDIDA 



nodules than Tephrosia Candida. When fully developed it 

 reaches a height of 3 to 32- metres. 



The pods are generally picked before the stems are cut. 

 They are then put into sacks and beaten in order to obtain 

 the seeds, which easily retain their germinative power for a 

 whole year. 



The species of Tephrosia are known by different names, 

 according to the countries where they are cultivated. In the 

 Mascarenes the plant is called Vindigo sauvage ; in Ceylon it 

 is known as Boja Medclloa; this would be Tephrosia Candida, 

 whilst in Ceylon Tephrosia purpurea is called Kavalai. 



In the East Indies it has given extremely satisfactory 

 results as a grfen manure. Mr. J. C. Moore, Director of 

 Agriculture at St. Lucia, says that Tephrosia Candida 

 appears to be the loest dressing manure for cacaos and limes, 

 although practical application of it on other crops should 

 first be made under the same circumstances as for the cacao. 



Tephrosia purpurea has been employed in Ceylon as a 

 green manure, and the following analyses are given in the 

 "Progress Report" of the Agricultural Society: — 



The branches, leaves, and tops of samples dried in the 

 sun yielded 64'6 per cent., and the roots 44*9 per cent, of 

 water. 



These dried samples gave when analysed : — 



In 100 parts of , , 



branches, leaves ^" '°° P^"^ °' 



and tops '°°^^ 



Water ... ... ... ... i7"5o ... 12-50 



Organic matter ... ... ... 78-85 ... 84-75 



Nitiogen ... ... ... ... 2-24 ... 0-84 



Ash 3-65 ... 2-75 



The analyses of ash of the entire plant give percentages : 

 Of lime, 28*00; magnesia, i4'40; potash, Wg6', phosphoric 

 acid, i6'oo. 



Finally, we append the proportion of nitrogen in leaves 

 and branches : — 



