200 



(8) The larger amount of more succulent and 

 palatable straw than that of ordinary 

 paddy. 



All these advantages render the introduction of 

 this variety into India highly desirable ; but it is 

 still more desirable that we should improve the 

 indigenous rice by more careful cultivation. 



It would be superfluous to give here any instruc- 

 tions about the description of soil best suited for 

 rice -culture : the native cultivator knows that from 

 experience ; and as rice grows in almost any soil, 

 he will very seldom make any serious mistake in 

 his selection. 



The first step necessary for improving all marshy, 

 stiff, and clayey rice-lands is to " lime" them. 

 About 20 candies of chunam, of the kind generally 

 used for building purposes, will be found enough 

 for heavy clay soils, while 12 to 14 candies will 

 suffice for loamy or sandy soils. But care should 

 be taken not to " lime" any lands already contain- 

 ing an abundance of calcareous matter, for a serious 

 falling-off of the outturn, for a couple of years at 

 least, would be the result of " overlimeing" the land. 

 The chunam should be applied shortly after the 

 removal of the crops, or at least three months 

 before a new crop is grown. All "limed" lands will 

 be grateful for any vegetable refuse, leaves, grass, 

 &c., which should be ploughed-in with the lime, 

 and not burnt, as is now usually done. 



