Indigo in the North- Western Provinces. 85 



roots of which, before the vegetable is quite ripe, 

 indigo seed is again cast. Thus the cultivator obtains 

 three crops from the indigo field during the year. 



That the indigo cultivation is the least remunera- 

 tive of the various kinds of agricultural specula- 

 tion is certain. The reason why, it is followed, is, 

 that the large advance in January is a temptation 

 not to be resisted : it is so much ready-money in 

 the ryot's grasp ; he is a rich man for the hour, and he 

 is happy. Moreover, he has debts to meet, and a 

 demand for rent which will shortly be made. In 

 some parts prosperous ryots even cultivate indigo 

 without advances. 



How indigo has flourished under the liberal 

 Government of the North-West Provinces will be 

 seen by the following figures : 



1849-50. 1858-59. 1880-81. 1881-82. 



Doab 



Benares 



Bengal 



Behar 



In this table " Benares " includes Gorruckpore, Patna, Shahabad, 

 Ghazeepore, Azimghur, Benares, Tounpore and Allahabad. 

 "Doab" includes all places above Allahabad, the distinction 

 being made on account of the difference in the quality of Indigo 

 produced. 



More striking difference. 



1843-44. 1857-58. 1877-78. 1888 89. 



Doab 6,400 9,360 44,285 64,000 



Benares 16,400 10,000 17,556 18,600 



Bengal 97,000 50,330 16,502 17,200 



Behar 23,400 18,822 34,857 58,748 



