( 73 ) 



The plant begins to ripen early in February, being cut at latest by March 

 15th. Its ripeness is known by the blisters (dudri) on the leaves. The whole 

 plant is cut as a rule, but sometimes only the leaves are stripped off and the 

 stem left standing, from which a second crop of inferior quality and quantity 

 is obtained in May, called " duhva." 



Being out, the plant is laid out in the field for a fortnight, being turned 

 over three or four times. When dry the leaves are stripped and tied up by a leaf 

 into bundles of four or five leaves. If the colour is not good the bundles are 

 spread out in the field and exposed to sun and dew for another three or four days. 

 The bundles are then heaped up :ind allowed to ferment for three or four days, 

 when they are turned over and again left for three or four days, and then taken 

 home. A hole is dug and lined with cane or mango leaves, the bundles are put 

 in and turned over every fourth or fifth day. In May they are packed in gunny 

 bags ("bora") and fetched by the merchant ; or the cultivator takes his tobacco 

 to the best market. If the tobacco is for smoking the leaves are bound into 



ropes. 



I should consider twenty maunds a fair crop which may be looked for 



under favourable circumstances : estimates vary from ten to 

 Outturn. 



twenty-four maunds. There would also be about fiva 



maunds refuse (jhalla), of broken leaves and stalks sold cheap (Re. 1 per maund), 

 and bought by the poorest classes. 



The price varies according to quality, which is often judged on the same 

 principles as so many goods are, by the name. Thus Kan- 

 jati tobacco is famous in this district, and sells at Us. 12 

 the maund, but the ordinary qualities (and second cuttings) only at Us. 5 or 6 

 the maund (the seer in this maund is Rs. 96). 



Tobacco is liable to the ravages of no worm or fly in its growing state, 

 but frost and hail are fearfully destructive to it. A weevil 

 attacks the dried leaves. 



Cost of production. 



Price. 



Injuries. 



10 



