R. J. D. GRAHAM 213 



inches liigh, they are planted out in the rice fields, which have been 

 especially prepared. The advantages of this method, when pro- 

 perly carried out, are a considerable saving in seed, a marked in- 

 crease in yield and an improved quality. The chief disadvantages 

 attaching are the necessity of a large supply of labour at one time, 

 the necessity of opportune rain, in the absence of irrigation, to en- 

 able the fields to be prepared and a decided lengthening of the time 

 necessary for the crop to mature. The physiological factors involved 

 in transplantation are somewhat obscure, but the conclusion at 

 present, arrived at after a number of experiments, is to the effect 

 that transplantation acts in a way like root pruning, the injury 

 to the root system stimulating the growth of the sub-aerial portion 

 and resulting in increased tillering. The root system of the trans- 

 planted rice is developed from the lower nodes of the stem, the 

 first or seedling root system in many cases dying completely. In 

 fact a series of experiments shewed that amputation of the root 

 system of the seedlings did not interfere with the development 

 of the transplanted plants. 



In Basim taluk of Akola rice is sown in open fields in lines by 

 means of a drill. In the Zamindaris of ChancUi the khanori system 

 of rice cultivation is practised. A piece of jungle is cleared in the 

 hot weather. When the ground has been covered with wood to a 

 depth of a few inches, the whole is set alight, llice is then sown 

 in the ashes and this ends the cultivation. This method which is 

 also followed in other jungly parts of the Pjovince is known else- 

 where as dahia. 



Broadcasting is the usual method of cultivation in the Cen- 

 tral Provinces. Out of the totaJ in 1911-12, 3,154,908 acres were 

 under broadcast rice. The pi-actice of transplantation which until 

 a few years ago was unknown in Chhattisgarh is being ijitroduced into 

 the Division with great success. The area has risen by 25,000 

 acres within the last five years. Piactically throughout the Pro- 

 vince the crop is grown in embanked fields. These embankments 

 collect the rain watei-. Only in hilly tracts in a mixture with Kodo 

 and Kutkl or as a catch crop in certain parts of \Nardha, Jubbul- 



