XIV 



TURMERIC 427 



according to some accounts, 1 ft. to 2 ft. wide. One 

 foot apart is, however, quite enough for the ridges in 

 ordinary circumstances, but where irrigation between 

 the rows is necessary it would be advisable to make 

 them wider. 



The rhizomes are set about 1 ft. apart, in holes dug 

 for the purpose, and are covered with soil from 4 to 6 

 in. deep. In dry places and seasons watering is required 

 at first, and often even later, e.g. in the North-west 

 Provinces as often as once a week. 



The amount of sets required is variously given as 

 900 sets, or three maunds (250 Ibs.) to the acre. 



The returns are given as from 2, 000 to 5,000 Ibs. of 

 fresh rhizomes per acre. 



In Coimbatore, a somewhat different system is 

 adopted. The ridges are made 2 ft. apart, and the 

 rhizomes are planted in June or July, at a cubit's 

 distance apart, and watered every three or four days 

 from then to the end of December, and then less often 

 to March and April, when they are dug up. 



Between the ridges or on different ridges other crops 

 such as onions are grown, so as to shade and somewhat 

 protect the plants. As a rule, turmeric is not grown 

 more than once in three years, and is followed by rice 

 or ragi (Eleusine coracana) (Watt's Dictionary}. 



During its growth weeding is more or less necessary, 

 according to circumstances. The plants spring up in 

 about a fortnight. The rhizomes are usually dug about 

 a year later, or even less, generally between October and 

 April of the following year, according to the date at 

 which it is planted. 



In some parts of Bengal it is not considered good 

 practice to lift the roots the first year, but they are kept 

 growing for a year and nine months. It is said that 

 the produce when raised the first year is less in quantity 

 and inferior in quality than when it is left in the ground 

 for a second season. 



In the Toungoo district, according to A. M. Sawyer, 

 the rhizomes are selected for planting in January to 



