54 MANURES 



the extent to which they ameliorate the physical condition 

 of the soil, when ploughed under. The three commonest 

 are sunnhemp isee p. 76), Wild Indigo (Tephrosia purpurea) 

 and Dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata). The rate at which these 

 are sown, unmixed and for green manure, is respectively 30 

 lb., 15 lb. and 15 lb. 



Green leaf. — Certain plants are largely cut, especially in 

 the south and used as manure for paddy and sugarcane crops. 

 Wild indigo (Tephrosia purpurea : kolinji : vempali) is the 

 most generally esteemed : and is used throughout the Circars 

 for almost all irrigated crops, especially cane but not paddy. 

 Any leaf may be used in the south for paddy, but wild indigo, 

 Madder (Ca'llotropis gigantea : erukam : jilledi) and margosa 

 are held the most valuable. 



Nightsoil. — The use of this valuable product is being 

 extended in the neighbourhood of the larger towns, espe- 

 cially by those engaged in the cultivation of garden crops. 

 The general method of treating this substance is to bury it 

 in shallow trenches, and allow it to be absorbed by the soil and 

 gradually undergo decomposition. In a few months it will 

 become a dry powder in handling which little difficulty will 

 be experienced. 



Lime as a manure. — This substance is a plant food and 

 when lacking, must be supplied to obtain good crops. The 

 quantity needed is however so small that very few soils are 

 without it. Liming consequently is not known. Experi- 

 ments in its use are in progress at some of the Agricultural 

 stations but little effect has as yet been noted. It has a 

 beneficial effect in soils heavily charged with organic material, 

 and assists in obtaining a tilth on stiff clayey soils while it is 

 said to exert a binding influence on sandy soils. It may be 

 applied as burnt or slaked lime. 



Unit Prices of Manures available in India. 



rs. 



N in ammonium sulphate 12*3 



N in nitrate of soda 15'0 



N in refined saltpetre 6*7 



N in crude saltpetre 6*7 



N in calcium cyanamide 10*0 



N in calcium nitrate ... * 13*0 



N in bone meal 

 N in poonacs 



} 



12-0 



* The lime has not been valued. 



