378 



XXIII. LEGUMINOSAE 



Stipules minute, subulate. Petiole 0-4-1 in. long. Lamina 0-6-1 -5 in. by 

 1-2 in., broader than long, cleft nearly half-way down, mucronate, entire, sub- 

 coriaceous, glaucous beneath, darker above, glabrous, apices of lobes rounded, 

 each lobe palmately 7- or 9- veined, with a straight midrib between the lobes. 



The development of the seedling is rapid under favourable conditions, 

 that is, particularly if weeding and watering are carried out. The young 

 plant is of straggling habit, commencing to form strong side branches from 

 the base at an early age ; these side branches succeed each other in alternate 

 succession up the stem and grow rapidly, those near the base attaining a length 

 of over 3 ft. by the end of the first season in the case of vigorous plants. The 

 stem and branches droop, their extremities often touching the ground. A long 

 taproot is developed at an early age, and may attain a length of over 2 ft. 

 in three months from germination. Growth ceases in November-December, 

 and new growth commences in March ; in the second season the growth 

 usually starts with the elongation of the lower side branches, the main stem 

 showing little or no growth until May or later (Dehra Dun). The leaves 

 commence to fall in December and continue falling till May. 



Seedlings have good power of pushing their way through grass and low 

 weeds, but their development suffers until the weeds are overtopped ; regular 

 weeding has a marked effect on their growth. Drought is to be feared chiefly 

 in the germinating stages in the case of seed lying on hard bare ground exposed 

 to the sun. In frosty localities the seedlings are sometimes killed back, 

 especially in grass, but have good power of recovery. 



The following measurements of seedlings in experimental plots at Dehra 

 Dun will give soine idea of the rate of growth under different conditions : 



Bauhinia racemosa : rate of growth of seedlings, Dehra Dun. 



Condition under which 

 grown. 



Weeded irrigated sow- 

 ings 



Height and other particulars at end of season. 



1st season. 

 Maximum 4 ft. 2 in. 

 (side branches up to 

 3 ft. 3 in. long) 



Unweeded 



sowings 



irrigated Maximum 2 ft. in. 



2nd season. 



Maximum 9 ft. in. 

 (dense crop, very 

 vigorous) 



Maximum 3 ft. 6 in. 

 (chiefly under 1 ft. 

 6 in. among weeds) 



Maximum 3 ft. 2 in. 



Weeded unirrigated Maximum 3 ft. in. 



sowings 



Unweeded unirrigated ^(1) Maximum 2ft. 7 in. Maximum 3 ft. 6 in. 

 sowings (i.e. natural 

 conditions) 



Nursery-raised plants, 

 transplanted with 

 entire roots and stem 



Nursery- raised plants, 

 transplanted with 

 pruned roots and 

 stem 



^(2) Maximum Oft. 61 in. 

 Maximum 1 ft. 2 in. 



Maximum ft. 9 in. 



Maximum 1 ft. 3 in. 

 Maximum 3 ft. 6 in. 



3rd season. 



Maximum 15 ft. in. 

 (maximum diameter 

 21 in. at 2^ ft. from 

 the ground) 



ft. 21 in. -3 ft. 9 in. 

 (chiefly under 1 ft. 

 Sin.) 



Maximum 7 ft. 7 in. 



ft. 5 in. -4 ft. 8 in. 



(chiefly under 2 ft. 



except w^here weeds 



scanty) 

 ft. 4i in. -3 ft. in. 



2 ft. 9 in.-4 ft. 2 in. 



4th seas 



Maxim 



7 ft. 



Maximum 1 ft. 9 in. ft. 10 in. -3 ft. 8 in. 



Weeded unirrigated 

 line sowings with 

 field crops 



r(l) Maximum 1ft. 9 in. 

 1(2) 



Maximum 2 ft. 4 in. 

 3 in. -3 ft. 10 in. 



These figures demonstrate the great value of weeding, whether irrigation 

 be carried out or not. 



