( 11 ) 



comes the better.) Tlie run for the bullocks is then dressed and the well ready 

 for use. 1 



39. The cost of construction of course varies according to the depth to 



water and difficulties which may have to be contended 

 Cost of construction. 



with. Ibe following is the actual cost of construction 



of a well, in which xvater was found at 40 feet from the surface and the spring 

 at 60 feet. The men who dig the well get good wages on account of the (some- 

 times) dangerous nature of their work : instances of the middle stratum falling 

 in and burying the men whilst digging are not rare. R S . a . p . 



First 40 feet 2 men @ 4 annas, 12 days ... ...600 



3 @ H 12 ... ... 1 14 



Next 20 feet 2 @ 4 6 ... ... S 



3 @ 1J ...160 



Wattle-binding 20 bundles, @ 1 anna ... ... ... 1 4 O 



ft .-easing run, 2 men @ 4 anna, 2 days ,., ... ... 5 



Total cost Rs. ... 13 13 G 



40. But as grain is usually given in part payment of wages, 2 seers 

 a day to the diggers and 2 annas cash, and seer of parched grain to the others 

 and one anna in cash, the total cost varies according to the price of grain, 

 being Rs. 8-10-0 in cash plus 2^ maunds of grain. 



41. Thus the average cost of a well may be calculated at about Rs. 10, 

 but as a fact the cost varies from as low as Rs. 3 to Rs. 15 or 16 ; much of the 

 work, however, amongst the lower caste is done by the cultivator and his rela- 

 tions themselves ; only the digging has to be done by trained hands, generally 

 of the chamiir caste, called ku'iyd for this reason. They last generally from 

 two to four years, but in the last five years numberless wells have fallen in from 

 the rise in water-level. This rise is due partly to the presence of canal water 

 and partly to the heavy rains of 1870 74. The approach of settlement opera- 

 tions may also be credited with some of the disused wells. 



42. In most wells after the upper firm (" porhi") soil which may be 20 

 feet in depth, a stratum of sandy loose unbinding soil is reached, from 8 to 12 

 feet in thickness, called " chitta." When the water-level rises as high as this 

 the well invariably falls and is useless. It is not uncommon to brick ov^r this 

 stratum alone, leaving the remainder of the well unbricked ("nang&"). 



1 Parts of a well : 



Man or jagat, the mouth ("if of masonry). 



Chuldr, receptacle for water as discharged from bucket. 



Paindi, run for cattle. 



Dk&rdhi, wooden upright to receive. 



Cirri, wheel. 



Lifdn, run above ground. 



Khvrii/a, run below ground. 



Paindha, fodder trough in middle. 



