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Preparation of ground. 



Ploughing. 



Sowing. 



Intermediate operations. 



Varieties. None. 



Al is grown in " mar" because this soil is friable (poll). Land designed 

 for dl is sown with rabi for two or three years, but is 

 not manured. 



On first fall of rain the land is ploughed with the 

 " bakhar" not less than five times ; oftener if possible. 

 Towards end of Sdwan the seed is sown broadcast, 

 and thoroughly mixed in the ground with the bakhar. 

 Early rain after sowing is absolutely necessary ; then the plant sprouts in 

 20 days, when it is weeded four times. It has to be 

 protected from being injured by cattle, which, though 

 they do not eat it, trample down the yonng plants. In the second year's rains 

 it is about two feet high, and is weeded twice. In the third year's rain the field 

 is ploughed (bidhdnd) to allow the rain to reach the roots of the plant, and the 

 same the fourth rains. 



About the end of December the trees are cut down (about twenty men will 

 cut an acre in a day) and the roots are dug up with 

 koddlis : this will take ten men a month, as the ground 

 has to be dug carefully and to the depth of two feet. When brought home 

 four men will chop it up into lengths ; eight men sorting into different classes 

 (band); each root is divided into three according to thickness. It is then dried 

 for a month and packed close in gunny bags. The seed is collected in the third 

 year ; the kernel is separated from the shell by the seed being kept watered 

 till the shell rots, when the kernel is stamped out with the feet or a phdord. 



An acre will produce about 10 maunds root, one-third being of each class; 

 Outturn. five maunds seed is also obtained. 



The price has fallen so greatly of late years that it can hardly be grown 

 except at a loss. It is a pure speculation. The thin 

 end of the root is tho best, and fetches now Rs. 8 per 

 8 



Cutting. 



Price. 



