INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1909-10. 13 



3. Character of the Season. — The rainfall for the sea- 

 son amounted to 72 inches, which is some 30 inches above 

 normal. It was very badly distributed and was preci- 

 pitated at times in such large quantities that the crops 

 became injured. The result of the monsoon harvest was 

 consequently a disappointment and the yields in no way 

 approximated to expectation. The rain, too, was unusually 

 heavy in the month of October, which not only retarded the 

 preparation of the land for the rabi season, but caused 

 unprecedented sickness amongst the labourers. 



4- Crofping. — The trials with many varieties of sugar- 

 cane were continued as in previous years. In spite, 

 however, of the care and control with which the cultiva- 

 tion and selection of this crop was carried out, the results 

 were disappointing. It has been realised that the locality 

 is unsuited to the growth of thick canes such as were being 

 cultivated and with the exception of a small area reserved 

 for the Mycologist and Entomologist the cultivation of 

 this crop has been abandoned. Jute and flax have been 

 grown for experiments for the Fibre Expert to the Gov- 

 ernment of Eastern Bengal and Assam with varying 

 degrees of success. With regard to jute, the experiments 

 were mostly for the purpose of determining the botanical 

 characters in a collection of specimens. While this crop 

 grows well in these districts, it is generally recognised 

 that it does not do so well as in Eastern Bengal and 

 its cultivation amongst the cultivators of Behar is 

 not extending. With regard to flax, prospects appear 

 promising provided the crop is grown in the best possible 

 way, that is to say in strong. land with an abundance of 

 moisture. The work in this crop is being extended, and 

 the experiments now in progress should solve most of the 

 doubts and difficulties which prevent its being more gene- 

 rally adopted. In addition to the usual cultivation of rice 

 carried out on the farm, the use of bone meal and saltpetre 

 was tried in a series of J acre plots. Two alternate plots 

 were unmanured and the other two manured with 30 seers 



