18 



cheese-making. Oil is adulterated with that of Cotton-seed It is very 

 largely consumed by natives. 



VIII : Rarely grown alone, generally with Wheat, Barley and Beans. 

 The soil which suits better is a deep light one not very fertile not 

 moist. The plant does not require much care in cultivation very 

 hardy generally no manure is at all applied wanting little water 

 none at all in the basins generally 2 under Canal system thin- 

 ning is indispensable for a good crop. Stalks used for fuel. 



Cicer arietinum : Hommcus; (when seed is dry); and Melana 



(when seed green) ; Common gram or Chick-pea; 



Leguminosae ; Papilionaceae. 



I : No distint varieties; however seed-merchants distinguish two 

 forms : viz : The Dakar and the Nitaya ; these two merely consti- 

 tute a single var. Seed of superior quality being reckoned as Nitaya 

 and that of an inferior quality as Dakar. 



II : By seed ; broadcasted or dropped in behind the plough. 

 I 6 kolas for fecldan. 



III : From last half in October to end of November; generally ear- 

 lier in Upper Egt. 



V; The Melana, about 4 I l/'^ months after sowing ; the llom- 

 motis, after.") l/*^ (3 months. 



Throe to six. average 4 ardebs of seed and about M Hernias (GOO 

 okos) of Tibn or straw per fdn. 



VII ; Seed not used for stock; chiefly roasted; cooked and 

 excellent for soups used in native confectionery and in adulterating 

 coffee the straw is but of little value, chiefly used for camels, goats 

 etc. also in brick-making The seed is eaten fresh, raw (Melana) ; 



The dry seed contains about ID /,, of albuminoids and 5,'j / starch, 

 considered goocl for acidity of the stomach, in cases of flatulency, dys- 

 pepsia and diarrhoea! 



VIII : Egyptian Chick peas are comparatively poor in quality. The 

 soil for the plant varies from the heaviest clay to the lightest loam, 

 provided it is deep and fertile. It docs not require a fine tillage no 

 manure and but little want for water ; none is at all given in 

 the Basins and River banks; generally 2 in land under Canal System. 

 More seed is required in the Basins, also when the crop is intended to 

 be used in a green state or Melana. 



