VIGXA CATJAXG (cOWPEa) 21 5 



In Australia, where considerable use is made of the cow 

 pea, it has lieen found to be a plant which v.ithstan.ds drought 

 remarkably well and gives remarkable results. Like all 

 cover peas, the cowpea retains soil humidity by interception 

 of the solar rays, and consequently prevents evaporation of 

 the soil moisture. 



In Australia, in a pure cultivation, a good yield is from 

 12 to 14 tons of green manure to the acre. A bigger yield 

 may be had according to seasonal and cultural conditions; 

 in the experimental fields established at Saint Hubert by 

 M. de Villele we have obtained from 25 to 30 tons. 



Mr. A. H. E. MacDonald, Instructor in Agriculture, says 

 that in Australia many soils are so poor that they are in- 

 capable of producing a remunerative crop. By planting 

 with cowpeas, \yhich are ploughed in immediately they 

 start to bloom, these soils can be regenerated. The soil is 

 broken up, and the organic matters ploughed in decom- 

 pose, and thus set free the fertilizing elements contained in 

 the soils. In one ton of green manure could be reckoned 

 I '35 kilos of nitrogen, 0*5 kilos of phosphoric acid, and 

 I '5 kilos of potash. With an average crop of 14 tons these 

 figures mean a contribution of 40 kilos of nitrogen, 15 kilos 

 of phosphoric acid, and 45 kilos of potash, which is 

 equivalent to 200 kilos of ammonium sulphate, 87'5 kilos of 

 superphosphate, and 85 kilos of sulphate of potash per acre, 

 and this is obviously without takinc; into account the orpfanic 

 matters which play such an important part. 



In Mauritius, according as the cowpea is employed as 

 a mixed crop willi canes or as a pure crop, so do the 

 results differ as regards the yield. It is usually ploughed 

 in green, and soils treated in this wav are greatly improved. 

 The following figures were obtained from trials between the 

 rows at the Agronomic Station : — 



Grey ... ... .. 3,950 kilos, every second row 



Brown .. ... ... 4,000 ,, ,, ,, 



White ... ... ... 3,720 ,, 



Black ... ... ... 3,260 ,, 



