WHEAT CULTURE IN INDIA. 



By Ecv. I. L. ILvusKK. 



India is 1,900 miles in ]cnp:tli and 1,500 in Tvidth, comprising an area 

 equal to that of tlic United States east of the Mississippi Eiver. But 

 little wheat is raised south of the twenty-fifth parallel. The iTorth- 

 "west Provinces and Oudb are best adapted to wheat culture. They 

 comprise an area of 100,111 square miles, almost a Hat plain. The soil 

 is alluvion, chiefly of clay and sand, deposited by fresh water, as there 

 is a total absence of marine shells. Except in the mountainous range 

 of the Vindhyau chain that crosses the southern portion of these prov- 

 inces, there are no roclcs, stones, or minerals other than silica and some 

 mica, which are in the finest particles. 



ANALYSIS OF SOIL. 



The following are the results of chemical analysis of soil from two dis- 

 tricts: Moisture in air-dried soil, first locality, 1.48; second locality, 

 2.92. Combined nitrogen, first, .11 ; second, .13. Sand and silicates 

 insoluble in hydrochloric acid, first, 89.38 ; second, 81.70. Oxides ol 

 iron and aluminium, first, 4.11 ; second, 9.34. Lime CaU, first, .69 ; 

 second, .30. Potash KJO, first, .08 ; second, 1.20. Soda KaO, fii^t, .11 ; 

 second, .40. Phosphoric acid P2O5, first, .26 5 second, .19. 



A FAVORABLE CLIMATE. 



This is the most favorable climate in the world for agricultural prod- 

 ucts. The crops of the hottest and coldest countries can be grown 

 here. The seasons for different kinds of crops are fixed and regular, 

 and include the whole year, so that there is not a month in which the 

 farmer may not work in his fields. The change from one season to an- 

 other is so gradual that there is no loss of product. On account of the 

 heat and moisture all vegetable and organic matter are quickly fer- 

 mented and changed into food for plant-life. The farmer receives im- 

 mediately a return for whatever he contributes to his fields, and the 

 fresh upturned soil at once shows the beneficial atmosi)heric effect upon it. 



(5C9) 



