CONTENTS. XXI 



crops, The agricultural advantages of India in connec- 

 tion with irrigation. The defects of wheat-soils deter- 

 minable by studying the mineral elements contained in 

 wheat. Nitrogen and wheat. Mineral constituents neces- 

 sary for the development of a long, well-filled ear. The 

 composition of wheat-ash. Salt a fertilizer for wheat. 

 Composition of wheat-straw. The relation between seed 

 and straw, and the mineral constituents relatively required. 

 The manuring of wheat-soils to be adapted to the wants 

 of the plant. The first step of profitable farming in India 

 is the accumulation of the raw material, i.e., manure, for 

 good harvests. The deepening of the soil. An acre 

 twelve inches deep is worth more than four acres six inches 

 deep. General instructions for sowing, ploughing, and 

 manuring. The Cultivation of Wheat in the Central 

 Provinces by A. C. Elliot 203 



CHAPTER III. 



SUGARCANE. 



The antiquity of the cultivation of sugarcane in India. Annual 

 production. Average outturn per acre. Composition of 

 sugarcane. The varieties cultivated in India. Their 

 relative qualities. China sugarcane.- Puttaputti produc- 

 ing the best Jaggery. Otaheite and Bourbon sugarcane. 

 History of introduction into India. Soils best suited for 

 sugarcane. Calcareous matter essential for the production 

 of superior sugarcane. Analysis of soils famed for the 

 production of sugarcane. 



Manures. Rotten straw. Mud from tank-bottoms. Crushed 

 bones. Salt. Preparation of the soil. Ploughing and 

 planting in the Rajahmundry district .-Watering, manur- 

 ing, and ploughing in the Mysore and other districts. 

 Preparation of the fields in general. The cutting of 

 " sets." Quantity of tops required per beegah, and average 

 yield. The planting of sugarcane. Mr. Vaupell on the 

 most successful mode of cultivating the Mauritius cane in 

 Bombay. After-culture. Watering, weeding, and dig- 

 ging. Draining. Propping and wrapping the cane, 



