282 



FORAGE LEGUMINOS^Ii 



Crotalaria (Slirub). — Cattle do not ajii^ear to have any relish for 

 this plant, but there arc a few cxreptions. For instance, we may 

 cite Crotalaria iiiucra, which is given to milcli cows, and C. Bnrliia, 

 a small legume of the sandy desert jjlains, which is eaten by camels. 



The proximate composition of Cvotnlnria jiiiicca in the state of 

 hay is as follows : — 



Water ... ... ... ... ... 14-39 per cent. 



^'Sh ... 9-94 



Cellulose ... ... ... ... ... 27'39 ,, 



Fat ... ... ... ... ... I '12 ,, 



Non-nitrogenous mailer ... ... ... 32'85 ,, 



Nitrogenous matter ... ... .. ... I4'3i ,, 



100 00 

 Nilnigen = 2'29, of which l'99 is in the form cf protein, .say 86'9 per cent. 



Cytisus proliferus (Shrub).— This legume, of which the common 

 name is tagasaste, is a forage plant which has acquired a large range 

 in the Canary Isles. It is a small tree with white flowers, and from 

 the young stage onwards gives numerous leafy branches, tender and 

 pliant, which are devoured by cattle. 



Propagated Ijy seeds this i^lant thrives well everywhere, grows 

 anew after having l^ccn cut, and owing to its extensive root system is 

 well able to withstand drought. 



The yield of tagasaste is very high and equal to that of the most 

 ])roductive fodder plants. It is cut three times yearly, and may be 

 converted into hay. The beasts which feed on it grow fat, but are 

 lacking in muscle. It occurs in .Algeria and thnnighout the whole of 

 iN^orthern Africa. 



Dalbergia (Tree).^-M. Raoul states in his work that the leaves of 

 the species latifolia, Sisson and Toliihilis may be given to live stock. 



Desmodium (Shrub). — All the species of Dcsmodhntt make excellent 

 fodders, Ijut some are of particular interest, such as D. peniiiUflornm 

 and D. tiliscfoliiiin. The variety gangeticinn is also a forage plant, 

 but should be given with discrimination, as its leaves are too tough 

 and might l^e the cause of trouble. Details as regards Desinndiuut 

 have been given in another chapter. 



DolicSlos scaraboeoides (Liane).— This is a trailing herbaceous plant 

 which occurs in the pastures of Mauritius and is distributed through 

 tropical Asia, Madagascar, and Bourbon. 



Cattle graze it along with other herbs. Its composition is as 

 follows : — 



Water 



Ash 



Cellulose 



Fai 



Non-nitrogenous matter 



Nitrogenous matter ... 



Nitrogen 



