MANUAL OP THE Ntl.AGIRI DISTRICT. 473 



RS. A. P. CH. XXVll. 



Then expenses for two crops will 



amount to 85 Agriculture. 



The returns will be ... ... ... 120 



or 35 rupees the acre. 

 It must be understood that 30 rupees is the sum allowed for 

 manure. Farm-yard manure may be alternated with poudrette 

 with advantage, three tons of poudrette being equal to 10 tons of 

 farm-yard manure, or they may be mixed together in the pro- 

 portion of 1 ton poudrette (say) 10 rupees, to 7 tons of farm-yard 

 manure (say) 20 rupees. 



If potatoes are grown as a green crop, the rotation will be 

 potatoes planted in February at a cost as follows : — 



One deep ploughing, Rs. 6 ... ... i 



Two slight ploughings 8 Rs. each, Rs. 6 ) 



Ten tons manure 



One ton seed ... 



Planting 



Ridging and weeding 



Watching 



Taking up 



Rent 



Return, if no disease, six tons at Rs. 60 



a ton ... ... 360 



The second ci'op may be oats, and 

 expenses will be the same as No. 5. 

 Return do. do. 



Or expenses for two crops 



Return 



or Rupees 233 per acre. 

 It must be borne in mind that the potato crop is one of more 

 risk. At one time potatoes are down to 20 rupees a ton, then 

 up to 100 rupees.! Again, disease may smite the crop and the 

 return will hardly pay for the seed. Coolies and porcupines are 

 also great enemies of the potato crop. The depredations they 

 commit are most serious. 



The seasons vary exceedingly. A wet September means good Seasons for 

 turnips and damaged hay ; late April rains mean a short ^^il">atmg 

 potato crop ; early frost is death to the second potato crop, and ^''°^^' 



' The variations in the prices obtained for potatoes depend mainly on the 

 quality of the crop, and not so much on the fickleness of the markets. Good 

 potatoes generally obtain a good price, but since disease has prevailed, aometimea 

 the prevailing rates have been exorbitant. — Ed. 



60 



