38 GREEX iMAXURIXG 



equally valuable. However well the first six of the objects above 

 named may be achieved by the use of non-leguminous plants as 

 green-manure, it is generally believed that only leguminous species 

 have the power of utilising free nitrogen, which they effect through 

 the agency of the bacteria nodules on their roots. (Sec Chapter II). 



In selecting plants suitable for green-manuring, those which 

 are more or less of a herbaceous character and rapid growth, 

 capable of forming a good cover on the ground in a short space of 

 time should be chosen. Creepers or climbers are not usually so 

 suitable as bushy herbaceous annuals, and, if used, care must be 

 taken that they do not twine round the stems of the growing crop. 

 The following are recommended for the purpose, all belonging to 

 the family of Leguminosae : 



Aeschynomene indica. "Diya-siyambala." -S. Annual, 1-2 ft. high, 



found in moist places, dry region. 



Alyssicarpus vaginalis. "Aswenna," S. 2-3 ft. high. Dry Low- 

 country. 

 - Arachis hypogoea. Ground-nut. Herb, 12-16 in. high. Sea-level 



to 2,000 ft. 

 Cajanus indicus. Pigeon-pea, or " Dhall "; "Rata-tora." S. Shrub. 



Sea-level to 2,000 ft. 

 Canavallia ensiformis. " Wal-avvara." S. "Koli-avarai." 7'. 



Perennial twiner. Low-country. 



C. obtusifolia. "Mudu-awara," S. Creeper. Sea-side. 

 -^Cassia mimosoides. "Bin-siyambala," .S. An annual, 2-3 ft. high, 

 common in Low-country; leaves sensitive. Thrives up to 

 3,000 ft. 



Cicer arietinum. Chick-pea; "Kadala," S. Annual herb, 1 ft. high. 

 " "Crotalaria juncea. Sun-hemp. "Hana/'.S. An erect annual. 

 Semi-dry. Low-country. 



C. retusa. "Kilu-kiluppai," T. "Kaka-andanahiriya." S. Low- 

 country shrub. 



*"* C. striata. A herbaceous shrub, 2-3 ft. high. Low-country up to 

 3,000 ft. 



C. Walkeri. (=C. semperflorens). Perennial herb, 2-3 ft. Montane 

 zone. 



Desmodium Wightii. A tall herb. 2-3 ft. high. Low-country. 

 TDolichos biflorus. Horse-gram ; "Kollu," S. Small close-growing 

 climber. 



D. Lablab. "Dambala," S. Low climber or creeper. 

 Glycine hispida. Soya Bean. Leafy herb, 1-2 ft or more Thrives 

 up to 2,500 ft. 



* Sow at the rate of 2 Ib. per acre in rows, t Sow at the rate of about 12 



to 15 Ib. per acre, broadcast. 



S=SlXHALESE ; 7= TAMIL 



