[ 439 1 



marich under similar conditions may be attempted also in 

 low-lying moist districts of Bengal. It grows in Assam, in 

 Mysore, in Malabar, in Burmah, in China and in the Straits 

 Settlements, and the attempt to grow it in the deltaic districts 

 of Bengal is therefore likely to succeed. 



675. The propagation of the gol-marich and pipul vines 

 takes place, as in the case of pan, by means of mature branch- 

 es or suckers. The branches, shoots or suckers are layered i.e. 

 bent down into the ground, and when they take root they are 

 severed from the parent vine and planted out in shade, and 

 trailed on to trees. This is done at the beginning of the 

 rainy season. The base of every vine is kept scrupulously 

 clean and well-manured with cowdung cake which acts also as 

 a mulch. Three or four years after planting the vines begin 

 to bear in the cold weather. 



676. The berries are brought down from the climbing 

 vines with the help of a ladder. Black-pepper berries are 

 boiled and dried in the sun before they are sent to the 

 market. No preparation is necessary for the long pepper. 

 Mr. Basu, Assistant Director of Agriculture, Assam, estimates 

 the average yield from each vine of round pepper at one seer, 

 valued at 8 annas. 



677. Jira (Cuminum Cyminum). Though this spice is 

 in daily use like round pepper, in every household in Bengal, 

 its cultivation is unknown in Bengal. The Jira seed of the 

 bazaar does not germinate, but as the plant is grown in the 

 Punjab and Afganistan, attempt may be made to obtain fresh 

 seed and sow it in October in sandy loam soil, viz., such as is 

 ordinarily preferred for growing anise, coriander, juan and 

 wild celery (Randhuni}* 



678. The wild celery of Bengal needs no such careful 

 tillage or attention like the European Celery. It occupies 

 the field longer than coriander, anise, Juan and other garden 

 herbs; that is, while the latter ripen in March, the former is 

 not ready before July. 5 seers to half a maund of seed per 



