114 NATURE OF SOIL. 



Society, which I hope will be satisfactory as regards 

 the Shahabad district. 



(Signed) R. JJ. MATHEWS. 



Q. 1st. The nature of the soil, and climate of 

 the district ? 



A. Various ; consisting generally of a light, 

 sandy soil, mixed with clay ; particularly along the 

 Ganges and Soane ; the interior mostly of a dark, 

 blackish, hard, clay (Kuroyle) in lowest grounds, 

 and sandy in the higher ; climate the same as 

 South Behar. 



Q. 2nd. The manner in which the land is pos- 

 sessed ; by great or small proprietors ? 



A. All along the Ganges and part of the Soane 

 is possessed by two large proprietors ; one the 

 Rajah of Doomrong ; the other a branch of the 

 same family, Baboo Coowr Singh, with some few 

 independent Zumeendars. To the south, generally 

 by proprietors, subdivided into numerous shares. 



Q. 3rd. The manner in which the land is occu- 

 pied ; whether by great or small farms ? 



