136 AFOOT THROUGH THE 



and covered; a khuch, an uncovered barge; and the 

 small shikar, flat and covered, used by merchants and 

 passengers wishing to make short, quick passages. The 

 paddles used are heart-shaped, and very considerable 

 skill is necessary before any progress is accomplished, 

 the blade being small and the tide very swift in the 

 channel of the river where it is unnaturally pent up in 

 the city. A tinier variety of this craft is in use among 

 the amphibious gardeners of the lake when passing 

 along the water paths attending to or collecting produce. 

 We passed along the western side of the Dal in 

 and out of the floating gardens, and I gradually under- 

 stood their construction, which had been quite a mystery. 

 There are two methods pursued in making them. In 

 very shallow water, trees are planted, reeds grown 

 between, and gradually as these become thick and 

 strong a layer of soil, twigs, small stones, etc., is added, 

 till the surface is well above water level, and there, on 

 each little bed, two mounds of rich lake soil are laid, 

 and seedlings of melons, cucumbers, etc., planted. 

 These grow and flourish, having all they require in the 

 way of rich earth, plentiful water, and a ripening sun. 

 Where the water is deeper, the leaves of the high reeds 

 are twined and plaited till a strong foundation is made, 

 then, when they can bear a boy, soil is piled up, the 

 stems are cut, and the garden is in a position to be 

 towed about or moored between stout poles wherever 

 the owner thinks that the conditions are favourable. 

 These gardeners are among the most prosperous folk in 

 Kashmir ; they have always plenty to eat themselves, and 

 are always certain of good prices for the surplus that they 

 are able to sell, a condition of things which compensates 

 them for the supreme contempt in which their class is 



