( 63 ) 



plants in the centre of the field and worshipped with gld and molasses, and 

 then knocked them down to typify the bending down of the cane from its 

 weight : after this a little feast was given. 



Thepaunda cane calls for separate notice. 



It is more carefully sown, being sometimes bedded out and watered 

 constantly. In the alluvial lands of the Ganges it is watered every third day by 

 the "dhenkli" from chohas (small holes). It is manured when 1^ feet high, 

 weeded every week for a couple of months. It is cut from Bhadon, and is gener- 

 ally sold standing to " kunjaras." An acre is nominally worth Rs. 100, but I 

 sold some by auction for Mr. Buck on the municipal land at Rs. 250 the acre. 



In the Jumna parganas cane (usually barokhd) is grown without irriga- 

 tion. After sowing the ground is covered with a layer of grass, which keeps 

 off the heat of May and June ; this process is called " paleo." When rain falls 

 the field is uncovered and the cane grows as usual. 



The stocks (peri} of the biennial canes are left in the ground, and give a 

 second but poorer crop the following year. 



