CH. XXVII. 



Agkiculture. 



Manuring. 



Ploughing. 



Sowing. 



408 MANUAL OF THE NILAGIRI DISTRICT. 



Prices of Grains per Garce of 3,200 Measun 



Manure from the village cattle is carried to the adjoining hills 

 in baskets. Cattle are never used for the carriage of manure. The 

 quantity applied simply depends upon the fact whether or not 

 murrain has visited the village herd. The amount of manure per 

 acre does not exceed 2 tons. The manure is of poor quality, as 

 Badaga cattle are never fed on manure-producing food. It is 

 flung broadcast and ploughed in. When fallow land is broken up, 

 the small bushes (Dodonea) are burnt and the ashes scattered over 

 the land ^ and ploughed in. 



From five to six ploughiugs are made.^ The first ploughing 

 is generally in April with the first showers. Sowing takes place 

 towards the end of April, reaping in August. If a wet August 

 comes, the crops suffer greatly. 



Grain crops are all sown broadcast by hand. Only headmen are 

 entrusted with this important work. The Kanarese cultivators 

 sow some crops in furrows, e.g., onions, peas, &c. 



' Probably half a ton per acre is the ordinary quantity used. The village 

 debris of straw, &c., is mixed with it. It is not used until it is dry and powdery 

 from decomposition and exposure to the sun. The manm-e is applied after the 

 seed is sown. The thorough decomposition of the manure, though it is impover- 

 ished by the process, frees it from seeds of weeds and larvae of insects. — Ed. 



'^ Four ploughings take place before so-wing ; one after it. The early plough- 

 ings first lengthwise, then across the field, then diagonally. The ploughs are 

 of wood and the depth of the furrow not more than 6 inches. After each 

 ploughing, stones, roots and weeds are carefully removed. The stones are piled 

 up or used for terracing to prevent waste. — Ed. 



