4 On the present State 



bcoiniiinrr of winter : and the rice of this harvest is esteemed 

 the be'st, not being liable to early decay. 



In l6w, situations, where the progress of desiccation is 

 slow, and on the shelving banks of lakes which retain 

 nioi^tuix- till the return of the rains, a singular cultivation 

 'sows rice al the end of the rains, and, by frequent trans- 

 pl'rinting and irrioation, forces it to maturity in the hot sea- 

 son : and in situations nearly similar, sows in the cold sea- 

 son for an early harvest, obtained by a similar method at 

 the commencement of the rains. v 



In almost every plant the culture, in proportion as it is 

 more generally diffused, induces numerous varieties. Rut 

 the several seasons of cultivation, added to the influence of 

 soil and climate, have multiplied the different species of 

 rice to an endless variety, branching from the first obvious 

 distinction of awned and awnless rice. The several species 

 and diversities, variously adapted to every circumstance of 

 soil, climate and season, might exercise the judgment of 

 sairaeious cultivators : the selection of the most suitable 

 kinds is not neglected by the husbandmen. There' is room, 

 however, for great improvement, from the future light to 

 be thrown on this subject by the observations of enlight- 

 ened farmers. 



Other corn is more limited in its varieties and its culture. 

 Of wheat and barley, few sorts are distinguished. All sown 

 at the commencement of the winter, and reaped at the be- 

 ginning of the hot season. 



A great variety of different sorts of pulse finds its place in 

 the occupations of husbandry. No season is without its 

 appropriate species : but most sorts are sown or ripen in 

 the winter. Thev constitute a valuable article in husbandry, 

 as thriving on the poorest soils, and requiring little culture. 



Millet and other small grains, though bearing a very 

 low price, as the fV)od of the poorest classes, are not un- 

 important : several of these grains, restricted to no season, 

 and vegetating rapidly, are useful, as they occupy an iii- 

 ttrval after a tardy harvest, which would not permit the 

 usual course of husbandry. Maize, which may be placed 

 m thi;5 second class of corn, is less cultivated in Bengal than 

 iu most countries where it is acclimated. For common 

 loot', inferior m wliite corn, it lias not a preference above 

 mill'ifto compensate the greater labour of its culture. 



TiiL' universal and vast consumption of vegetable oils is 

 supplied by the extensive cultivation of mustard, linseed, 

 st^Aiiic, palmachristi, Sic. The first occupy the winter 

 •*eaaJB ; the sesame ripens in the rains. 



•t Among 



