320 



MANUAL OP THE NILAGIRI DISTRICT. 



Revenue 



Hr STORY. 



CHAP. XII], nor SO long as they could betake themselves to fresh land at 

 FART 1. pleasure would they care what quantity of land was ultimately 

 exhausted." They proceeded to argue that lands in the proximity 

 of cattle kraals, where manure was easily available, were kept 

 constantly under cultivation ; and further urged that in assessing 

 land it is right to assume that labour and capital will be 

 expended on it sufficiently to maintain permanently its natural 

 productiveness. One important fact, however, was forgotten, viz., 

 that lands are allowed to lapse into jungle in order that ashes of 

 the vegetation burnt when it is again cleared may add to its 

 fertility and supply in part the manure necessary for the growth 

 of crops. The kraal, especially as now constructed, without cover 

 from sun and rain, supplies little more manure than is sufficient for 

 the home-farm cultivation. The Board, however, were ready to 

 deal even more liberally than Mr. Thomas with the Badagas, 

 whose privileges and advantages under the " shifting " system 

 they were proposing to abolish ; and recommended a reduction of 

 25 per cent, in each of the existing fifteen rates of assessment, 

 " on the understanding that claims to land for which payment is 

 not made will cease to be recognised.'^ The immediate conse- 

 quent reduction of revenue was estimated at Rupees 1,900. The 

 cultivable area, excluding inams, was returned as 29,912 acres, 

 of which, according to the accounts of 1859-60, 18,857 were 

 cultivated and 11,055 waste. 



The Government generally concurred with the Board, but 

 resolved to substitute for the manifold rates in force five rates as 

 follow : — 



Rates settled 

 by Govera- 

 Dient. 



For assessments above 13 annas 



Do. below 13 annas, but above 9 annas. 



Do. below 9 annas but above 6 annas... 



Do. below 6 annas but above 4 annas... 



For all assessments below 4 annas ... 



AS. 



10 

 8 

 6 



4 



2 



The following was the cultivable area under each class 



ACRES. 



3,943 



4,611 



13,221 



5,517 



2,620 



Thus the average assessment would have been slightly over 6 

 annas per acre if the total cultivable area, 29,912 acres, were taken 

 up. In 1876 the lands held under ordinary putta alone amounted 

 to 67,925 acres, paying Rupees 20,560 or an average of Annas 5§ 



