FOOD. 35 



garden, from where it can be purchased retail. 

 Some native corps, who remain some time in the 

 one place, also grow it for the benefit of the regi- 

 ment, and sometimes it is possible to obtain some 

 from them; but as a rule they only have enough 

 for their own use. Round the large military can- 

 tonments in some places, tlie neighbouring farmers, 

 finding that there is a demand for it, have taken to 

 growing it for sale, and it can be bought in the 

 bazaar ; but as the supply is not certain, it is better 

 to enter into a contract with one of the growers to 

 supply the quantity by weight daily required. In 

 making this bargain it is best to use the agency of 

 the head " syce," as if it falls short, or is not forth- 

 coming, he can be made responsible ; and natives 

 being erratic creatures, it is quite possible that some 

 morning you may be told that there is no more, or 

 that the grower has sold his crop to some one else, 

 perhaps at even a smaller price than you are givino. 

 Whenever there is a well in the compound, and I 

 have been long enough in one place, I have always 

 grown as much as I could for myself. It is easily 

 done, and there is no more useful crop in connection 

 with an Indian stable. In the dry, hot weather the 

 difference in the condition of horses that are settin<f 

 a fairly liberal supply of green food, and those that 



