206 VIGNA CATJANG (cOWPEA) 



li\es by piercing the tissues of tlie plant with its rostrum, of 

 trunk-like dimensions, and sucking up the sap in a con- 

 tinuous stream. It can be extremely injurious. 



VIGNA CATJANG (COWPEA). 



(Vigiia Catjaiig, dedicated to Dominica Vigna, 

 commentator of Theophrastus.) 



In the islands of the East three varieties of Phaseoli are- 

 cultivated. They are varieties of Dolichos caljaug, which 

 is said to be a native of Madagascar. According to Jacques, 

 and Henri(-r|'s " Manuel des Plantes," Vigna Catjang was 

 discovered in 1793 in the East Indies. 



There are a number of varieties in existence, and the 

 Experimental Station of Arkansas (U.S.A.) counts as many 

 as twenty-five to thirty varieties of cowpea which are the- 

 subject of numerous experiments. 



Some varieties of the cowpea are trailing plants and 

 others non-trailing, it ma\' be used either as a pure or a 

 mixed crop. Its cultivation has been extended enormously 

 in Australia and America, being particularlv widely spread 

 in Queensland, where it is used alrnost exclusively as a 

 restorative crop. 



The trailing varieties should be used in land under 

 rotations, whilst between canes the non-trailing varieties 

 are preferable. At the same time, in order to ensure their 

 full development, they should be sown whilst the canes, 

 are still small and have not yet taken possession of the land, 

 their chief advantage being that they cover bare soil un- 

 occupied by the vegetation of the canes. 



Further, the development of these plants will vary accord- 

 ing to the period of sowing. They will attain their largest 

 size if the seeding is carried out immediately at the com- 

 mencement of the rains; that is to say, in December in- 

 Mauritius, or at the beginning of the winter season. 



