[ 43' 1 



where the bending downwards and upwards takes place. In 

 putting earth along the base of the creepers from the two 

 sides the land gets divided into ridges and furrows the plants 

 growing on ridges while the walks alongside them are in 

 furrows. Dried and pulverized pond mud, dried and powder- 

 ed cowdung and powdered oil-cake, are used each time earth- 

 ing is done. Castor-cake is said to be injurious to pan plants 

 and mustard-cake alone is used in Bengal. Brick-dust is also 

 used as a manure. During the dry months watering has to 

 be done constantly, but stagnant water in barojes should be 

 avoided at all seasons. 



658. Gourds and pumpkins are usually planted round 

 barojes to give additional shelter and profit. The roofs and 

 fences have to be changed every 3rd year. 



659. Fungus and insect pests and snails do great damage 

 in pan plantations. Fumigation and handpicking of insects 

 and snails can alone be suggested. 



660. When planting is done in Sravan, plucking com- 

 mences in Kartlc ; and when planting is done in Kartik pluck- 

 ing commences in Jyaishtha. After plucking has once com- 

 menced, two pluckings are made every month. 2 to 4 leaves 

 are received each time from each plant and in the rains 4 to 

 6 leaves. All the leaves from an old stem are cut away 

 after a new bent has taken root. One acre of land yields 

 about 80 lakh pan leaves per annum, besides inferior leaves 

 from side shoots which are, as a rule nipped off except those 

 kept for making cuttings. For 5 years the plants are in full 

 bearing after which there is a tendency for the yield to fall off. 

 The leaves after being brought home in baskets are sorted 

 and counted by the female members and arranged in bundles 

 of puns or hundreds. 



