THE JETCH DOAB. 281 



with a species of Tephrosia, the Tephrosia fruticosa, a small 

 leguminous plant, the leaves of which are considered medicinal. 

 Here we found, on the uncultivated plain, Cursorius Fieldii in 

 flocks of ten and twelve, and large flocks of Larks and Buntings, 

 consisting of many species, all of which are denominated and sold 

 as Bagheerus, or Ortolans. Around Kamoo there is some good 

 cultivation. In the Rechna Doab, small abandoned canals, which 

 date from the period of the Mahommedan empire, are frequently 

 crossed, and which were formerly advantageously used, thus showing 

 how easily the whole of this Doab might be brought under irriga- 

 tion, and water alone is wanted to make it one sheet of cultivation. 

 With water, and thus certain crops, the country would soon be 

 peopled ; nor does it apply to this Doab only, it being equally 

 applicable to the Jullunder, Baree, Jetch, and the lower portion of 

 the Sind Sagur Doab. The irregularity of the rains, the poverty 

 of the agricultural classes, and the uncertainty of the Zemindar 

 in the former rule, when his capital was invested in sinking 

 of wells, being allowed to retain his land, may account for the 

 partial cultivation now presented in the Rechna Doab. This is 

 particularly the case with the lands adjoining the high road ; here 

 cultivation is the most limited, owing to the agricultural popula- 

 tion dreading the rapacity of the soldiery. In former days might 

 was right, and the soldiery, long in arrears of pay, were forced to 

 supply their wants in the best way they could. 



In the neighbourhood of Wuzeerabad we meet with large groves 

 of Mango trees. Here generally the country is well cultivated, 

 and crossing the Chenab into the Jetch Doab, and proceeding 

 north-west to Goojrat, we find one magnificent sheet of cultivation ; 

 wheat, cotton, and the Torea (Sinapis glauca), and Tirra, 

 (Brassica erucastrum), oil plants, being abundant and forming the 

 principal Rubbee crop. In February, when we visited it, the 

 Torea and Tirra covered the late field of battle and presented a 

 fine sheet of gold. Wells here abound, and judging from the 

 clear cultivation, and the manner in which the soil is broken up, 

 the agricultural population, consisting principally of Mussulmen, 

 appear to be a hard-working and industrious class. At Goojrat, 

 on the famed battle-field, Cactus opuntia abounds, forming 

 hedges ; cotton is much cultivated in this district, but of a most 

 inferior description. In this Doab sugar is but little cultivated, 

 the grains mentioned above being the principal Rubbee crops, and 

 Jowar and Bajra the Khureef. The country generally is highly 

 undulating, consisting of much Khadur land well cultivated. 



