AGRICULTURE OK GUJERAT. 39 



The arrangement or classification pointed out by 

 the Society, appears to me complex, and I cannot at 

 present collect my ideas accordingly ; but I will en- 

 deavour to follow it as closely as possible. To ex- 

 plain, I have a very great deal to do at present, this 

 being the season when agricultural pursuits can 

 be best examined practically, and as I am about to 

 take advantage of furlough in February, I wish to 

 wind up as it were all the little affairs connected with 

 the experiments on silk culture, cotton, &c. which I 

 have been engaged on during the last three years. 



Of esculent grains, Gujerat produces a large 

 variety. Some grow in a wild and natural state, 

 others, according to circumstances which proceed 

 from different sources, require a greater or a less 

 degree of care under cultivation. Naturally, the 

 climate and soil are admirably suited for the pro- 

 duction of esculent grains, for the simple process of 

 covering in the seed by the bamboo drill, in use 

 from time immemorial, is all that is requisite to 

 obtain a tolerable crop. 



In some parts to the north of this I am informed 

 that the soil is never ploughed, and yet it yields 

 annually crops of wheat ; the seed being sown by 

 the drill, and then a large bunch of thorns drawn 



