FODDER PLANTS. 



form tussocks, which after a couple of years or so should be chopped asunder with a 

 spade. Under proper cultivation guinea grass has been found to be a profitable crop. 

 It is not liable to be attacked by fungus or insects, and thrives well under the shade 

 of trees. 



Panicum miliaceum (Chena). — Yields excellent green fodder, but the straw is only 

 fit to be used as bedding, or as a contribution to the manure heap. (See also Part IT., 

 p. 1). 



Panicum miliare (Kutki). — Cattle are said to be fond of the straw, as also that of 

 P . psilopodium (Mijhri). (See also Part II., p. 7). 



Paspalum scrobiculatum (Kodon). — The straw is sometimes given to cattle. (See 

 also Part II., p. 8). 



Pennisetum typhoideum (Bdjra). — The dry stalks are used as fodder, but they are 

 greatly inferior to those oijudr. (See also Part I., p. 30). 



Phaseolus aconitifolius (Moth). — The grain is often given to cattle, and is said 

 to be very fattening. The stems and leaves, green or dry, are highly valued as fodder. 

 (See also Part I., p. 41). 



Phaseolus Mungo (Mung). — The crushed stalks and leaves are much prized as 

 fodder, and are often used to give a tempting flavour to trash which even Indian cattle 

 might otherwise reject. (See also Part I., p. 38). 



Pisum sativum (Common jjea, or gol mattar), and P. arvense (field pea, or desi 

 mattar) yield excellent green fodder for cattle ; and in many parts of the Punjab they 

 are grown exclusively for that purpose. [See also Part II., p. 17). 



Ricinus communis (Castor).— ^oung castor leaves are relished by cattle. 



Saccharum officinarum (Sugarcane). — The green tops and the stalks when juicy 

 are sometimes given to cattle. (See also Part I., p. 56). 



Sesamum indicum (Til), — The oil- cake is used as cattle food, and in the Western 

 districts is much prized on this account. 



■ Setaria italica (Italian millet, or Tcangni). — The straw is used as cattle fodder, but 

 it is not very nutritious. (See also Part II., p. 5). 



Sorghum vulgare (Judr). — The dry stalks and leaves chopped into small pieces 

 constitute the ordinary cattle fodder in these Provinces for some months in the year, 

 and is known by the name of karbi. Juar is often grown as a fodder crop only, in 

 which case it is sown earlier and more thickly than when cultivated for its grain. It 

 is almost the only green fodder crop cultivated as such in these Provinces, and hence when 

 grown for this purpose has no more distinctive a name than chari, which simply means 

 fodder. Chari cultivation, however, is almost entirely restricted to the districts of the 

 Meerut Division, where the cattle are mostly purchased from outside districts, and are of 

 a far better quality than those in other parts of the Provinces. Its value as a green 

 fodder may bo inferred from the following analysis made by Professor Voelcker, in 

 which its nutritive qualities arc compared with those of turnips : — 



