304 



FORAGE LEGUMINOS-E 



has invaded large pieces of land. Its chief use is for fuel, and the 

 leaves and seeds make excellent fodder. They are of no use for 

 members of the Equidae owing to the effect ihey produce on the hair 

 structures. Horses and mules which eat them lose their hair, no such 

 effect being produced among the Bovidae. 



These fields of Leiicanta make very good pasture for oxen engaged 

 in the transport of sugar-cane. The seeds are usually given them 

 while at work, mixed with other less nitrogenous food. 



They form a very rich ration : — 



Water 



Ash 



Cellulose 



Fat 



Non-nitrogenous matter 



Nitrogenous matter 



Nitrogen 



9'59 per cent. 

 3 ^9 ,, 

 14-00 ,, 



4'8^ 

 38-24 ,, 

 29-64 ,, 



100-00 

 474 



In his report for 1897 M. Boname records an experiment made in 

 order to separate the tough coat formed of ligneous tissue from the 

 seed. This is responsible for 50 per cent, of the weight of the seed; 

 when decorticated the seed contains more than 50 per cent, of nitro- 

 genous matter and q per cent, of fat ; in other words, about 87 per cent, 

 of the total nitrogenous matter and go per cent, of the total fat. 



Husks 

 12-58 per cent. 



3-42 ,, 

 13-90 



3'20 



55-03 

 11-87 



loo-oo 

 4 '9 



Cattle devour the leaves greedily. These leaves and branchlets 

 form an almost exclusive food of young goats. They contain a high 

 proportion of nitrogen and salts of potash, and are consequently in 

 considerable request with owners who make use of dried leaves for 

 compost. 



A comparison between the leaves of Lcucscna and goat droppings 

 shows the similarity which exists between the two when converted into 

 dry matter. 



Ash 



Nitrogen 

 Phosphoric acid 

 Potash 



