64 



MANURING 



Composition of Various Green Plants in the Fresh State 



The velvet bean {Mucuna utilis) is also well adapted 

 for cultivating as a green-cover crop in cocoa plantations. 

 Experiments conducted by the Barbados Botanic Depart- 

 ment show that in from two to three months a crop of 

 vines was produced equal to 12,343 lb. per acre. 



The 1908-9 Report from the Grenada Botanical 

 Department states : "The subject of mulching cocoa has 

 attracted considerable attention during the year, and 

 with the object of growing suitable material for a mulch, 

 experiments were conducted with cow-peas in conjunc- 

 tion with bacterial inoculation. No conclusive results 

 were obtained, but the advantage of growing a legu- 

 minous crop in the open spaces among cocoa instead of 

 weeds, and bedding this in to supply humus, while the 

 root nodules add nitrogen to the soil, is becoming uni- 

 versally recognised." 



Lime. — For the production of good crops it is essential 

 that lime should oe present in the soil. Applications 

 of animal manure, guano, and similar manures are of 

 little avail if the soil is deficient in lime. One of the main 

 functions of lime is to combine with the acids of the 

 potash and the ammoniacal salts of guano and of farm- 

 yard and similar manures, and to liberate potash and 

 ammonia. The latter are retained in the soil, but the 

 less expensive lime salts largely run away in the drainage 

 water. In addition to supplying a necessary plant 

 constituent, lime prevents the loss by drainage of the 



