THE NARBADA VALLEY. 75 



established that possession of the fruit trees growing on it did 

 not necessarily pass with the land, they mostly retained the 

 proprietorship of these trees. Thus it has happened that the 

 land is often owned by one party and the trees by another. 

 The rent is paid only by the landholder ; and thus, though 

 it would pay him to clear off the trees, it would not pay the 

 tree-man ; and so they have remained, doubtless to the very 

 great advantage, and certainly to the beauty, of the district. 



The value of the Mhowa consists in the fleshy corolla of its 

 flower, and in its seeds. The flower is highly deciduous, 

 ripening and falling in the months of March and April. It 

 possesses considerable substance, and a sweet but sickly taste 

 and smell. It is a favourite article of food with all the wild 

 tribes, and the lower classes of Hindus ; but its main use is 

 in the distillation of ardent spirits, most of what is con- 

 sumed being made from Mhowa. The spirit, when well made 

 and mellowed by age, is by no means of despicable quality, 

 resembling in some degree Irish whisky. The luscious flowers 

 are no less a favourite food of the brute creation than of man. 

 Every vegetable -eating animal and bird incessantly endeavours 

 to fill itself with Mhowa during its flowering season. Sambar, 

 nilgae, and bears appear to lose their natural apprehensions 

 of danger in some degree during the Mhowa season ; and the 

 most favourable chances of shooting them are then obtained. 

 The trees have to be watched night and day if the crop is to 

 be saved ; and the wilder races, who fear neither wild beast 

 nor evil spirit, are generally engaged to do this for a wage 

 of one-half the produce. The yield of flowers from a single 

 tree is about 130lbs., worth five shillings in the market ; and 

 the nuts, which form in bunches after the dropping of the 

 flowers, yield a thick oil, much resembling tallow in appear- 

 ance and properties. It is used for burning, for the manu- 



