TllK MAHADEO HILLS. 103 



addition to the dhya crop. Such is the fertilising 

 power of the ashes that the crop is generally a very 

 productive one, though the individual grains are far 

 smaller than the same species as cultivated in the 

 plains. A fence against wild animals is made round 

 the clearing by cutting trees so as to fall over and 

 interlace with each other, the whole being strongly 

 bound with split bamboos and thorny bushes. The 

 second year the dead trees and half-burnt branches are 

 again ignited, and fresh wood is cut and brought from 

 the adjoining jungle, and the same process is repeated. 

 The third year the clearing is usually abandoned for 

 a fresh one. Sometimes the owner of a dhya will 

 watch at night on a platform in the middle of the 

 field and endeavour to save it from wild animals, but 

 oftener he does not think it worth the labour, and lets 

 it take its chance till ripe, while he earns his livelihood 

 in some other way. 



The dhya clearings are of course favourite resorts 

 for all the animals of the neighbourhood. The smaller 

 species of these — peafowl, partridges, hares, etc. — are 

 often trapped in ingenious "deadfall" traps set in 

 runs left open on purpose ; and the larger are frequently 

 shot by the sportsmen of the community. None of 

 the Gonds of the Central Hills now use the bow and 

 arrow ; but few villages are without their professional 

 hunter, who is generally a capital shot with his long 

 heavy matchlock, and as patient as a cat in watching 

 for game. He usually takes it in turn to sit up at 

 night in all the dhya clearings of the village, getting 

 as remuneration all that he kills, and a basket of 

 grain at harvest time besides. The skins of sambar 

 are of considerable value in the market for making 



