THE ALGAROBA FODDER BEAN-TREE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 April 1914, Page 2

THE ALGAROBA FODDER BEAN-TREE.

*To the Editor.)

Sir,---This tree (Prosipis juli(!ora) is a beautiful shady-ever-green growing to the height of 30 ■<> 10 feet. It is a wide spread■ng tree, much like tlie Australian wattle, and can be raised easily from seed in any kind of soil, if >1 anted in the spring or summer months: and requires about two v ?ars to boar. It flowers twice a oar. giving abundance of honey, Hid two crops of beans. These ■nake the finest food for horses, cattle, pigs and poultry, and according to analysis are most nutritious. They are said to contain ■<n to 20 per cent, of grape sugar, ! 7 of starch, and 11 of protein and o<her valuable ingredients. This i ice is a native of Chili, South America, where immense l quantities of these beans are gathered each season, and on tiiree estates alone 15,000 bags are stored annually. Tt also produces a valuable "iim, which gives employment to a large number of people, and the bark is valuable for'tanning leather. and brings a good price, while I lie beans are also useful for tho same purpose and contain 21 pel cent, of tannin. Tne timber is admirably suited for furniture, and makes splendid firewood Besides being a profitable and good jiade tree ii can also be used tor live fences where timber is scarce. Tt docs not, appear to be particular as to the soil or climate and is said to thrive well m dry or semi-arid country, and should prove of great value to stockowners in times of scarcity.—Yours, ctc., B. Harrison. F.L.S. Burn'ngbar P. 0., N.S.W.. Australia.