98 Tenures in the North- West Provinces. 



retaining properties of the two soils. Bhdt land is 

 generally subdivided into five minor classes of soil 

 kat-bkdt (bastard bhdt}, dhoos (sand), soombha (rich 

 loam), bal-soombha (sandy loam), and matiar (clay). 

 Of these the soombha and matiar are in most favour 

 with tenants, as affording the qualities of soil which 

 best adapt themselves to the producing of rabi (cold 

 weather) and bhadai (rainy weather) crops, respective- 

 ly. Planters, on the other hand, do not much affect 

 kat-bhdt or matiar a small proportion of the latter 

 kind being, however, desirable, as being the most 

 moisture-preserving soil in dry seasons. Soombha, 

 bal-soombha, and dhoos are the classes of land after 

 which the heart of the planter yearns, and in which 

 the indigo plant loves to take deep root and flourish 

 mightily. The rates of bhdt land vary a good deal 

 from various causes, which I am not called upon 

 here to explain, but I think I shall not be far out 

 in stating an average all round rate at Rs. 2-8 to 

 Rs. 2-12 per bigha. Time was when this rate 

 would have been considered enormous, even within 

 own recollection ; but the rates of land have been 

 and are, steadily on the increase, as a hungry popu- 

 lation, forced out of Behar, pours in. 



Bangar is a soil which, of itself non-retentive of 

 moisture, invariably demands irrigation for the success 

 of its crops, although after the rains the tenants are 



