234 Dr. H. F. C. Cleghorn on the Hedge Plants of India. 



the seed upon the furrow, drags a log of wood, — hollowed like 

 a trough but open at the ends, — to break the clods and smoothen 

 the surface, or draws a few thorny branches of Acacia over the 

 field, which may be termed the brush-harrow of the Hindoo : 

 nature has been bountiful — man is indolent, and gives himself 

 no concern about his crop, trusting for the anticipated harvest 

 to the immense productiveness of the soil, which yields, in many 

 parts thrice a year, such abundant crops under the favouring 

 rays of a tropical sun, that the cultivator is not stimulated to 

 farther exertion. The Ryot, however, understands irrigation 

 and the succession of seasons, but knows little regarding the 

 biennial or triennial rotation of crops. The sites of tanks are 

 invariably well chosen, being selected where one or more nullahs 

 or water-courses naturally meet in a convenient locality for em- 

 bankment. Manui-e is never employed on the cotton plains, 

 although usually in sugar-cane fields, and to a great extent in 

 Sooparee gardens, as well as to the root of grape vines and pine- 

 apples. The manure used generally consists of rotted leaves, 

 cow-dung, wood ashes, blood, dead fish, &c. ; and indeed the 

 dunghills of Betel plantations are so valued as occasionally to 

 become the subjects of litigation. I would simply mention the 

 fact that (Economy is not practised in the employment of animal 

 manures. In 1846-47 large quantities of bones of animals that 

 had died of disease and drought, were scattered over the plains, 

 m the Mysore territories. I had a portion collected in heaps, 

 ground to fragments in a Chunam mill, and then sparingly 

 applied to a potato field : the result showed the fertilizing efiect. 



There is no spring of activity among the aborigines of these 

 unhappy lands ; hence it becomes the especial duty of the Agri- 

 horticultural Societies at the difierent Presidencies, of the 

 Chambers of Commerce, and of every enlightened and liberal 

 member of the community, to aid and encourage the regeneration 

 of the agricultural system. 



Whilst deploring that past exertions have been retarded by 

 the indisposition of the natives to adopt the improvements of 

 science and the suggestions of practical men*, "which they 

 foolishly conceive to be unprofitable innovations," there is 

 ground for consolation in observing that the results of ''per- 

 suasion, patience and perseverance " are visible in the improved 

 face of the country over large tracts, as Mysore, the Ceded 

 districts and Southern provinces, which have been longest under 

 our rule, and in which a cessation from war has enabled our 

 resources to be devoted more assiduously to the triumphs of 

 peace. 



This altered aspect has been brought about by the bridging 

 * Madras Athenaeum, May 9th, 1843. 



