FORAGE LEGUMINOS^ 289 



Pterocarpus erinaceus (Tree). — This tree is very common in 

 Senegal and the Soudan, and its leaves serve as fodder for sheep and 

 oxen. 



Sesbania aegyptiaca (Shrub). — A perennial plant occurring in 

 Africa, Southern Asia, and the north of Australia. It is used as a 

 fodder plant like the species Sesbania hrachycarfa, which, according 

 to Von MuUer (Australia), is much relished by live stock. 



Smithia sensitiva (Herb).— Roxburgh says that this little plant 

 makes a very good fodder in India and is widely used. It is very 

 tender and much relished by live stock. This variety, which is indi- 

 genous in Western Asia, has a wide distribution ; it occurs in Africa 

 with Smithia cafitulifera — a similar plant which might also be used 

 as fodder. 



Sophora tomentosa (Shrub). — The seeds of this shrub are used in 

 Madagascar for feeding purposes. Seeds harvested at Reduit gave the 

 following figures : — 



Water 



Ash 



Cellulose 



Fat 



Non-nitrogenous matter 



Nitrogenous matter ... 



'35^ per cent. 

 2-84 

 i9'6o 

 1 4 '00 

 3970 

 10-30 



lOO'OO 



The proportion of nitrogenous matter in these seeds is relatively 

 feeble, but, on the other hand, the proportion of fatty matters is very 

 high. 



Stylosanthes (Herb). — A genus of Leguminosae which is capable of 

 providing fodder. In Guadeloupe horses graze Stylosanthes erecta 

 with relish. 



Swainsonia (Large Shrub). — Swainsonia -pJiacoides and S. frocum- 

 bens are both excellent forage plants in Tasmania. 



Trifolium (Herb). — The genus Trifoliumj known as clover, contains 

 a large number of species. Some are natives of Europe, others of 

 Africa, Asia, America, &c., and species occur among them which are 

 very useful in agriculture. The principal species are forage plants 

 of the highest order; they are widely distributed and very useful 

 wherever they are cultivated. 



Trifolium alexandrinum. — This leguminous plant is cultivated a 

 great deal in Egypt, and forms the chief fodder there. It is annual in 

 habit, and in some soils where it finds splendid growth conditions it 

 may attain a height of 60 to 70 cm. 



At the trial station of the Algerian Botanical Department, Alexan- 

 drian clover has given four crops in a year. When sown at the end 

 of July the yield per hectare by the middle of September was 



19 



