185362.] CARNATIC : EIGHT DISTRICTS. 229 



Manure. " Although Cotton seed may return to the CHAP. 



ground, manure is still used, and the stalks are removed to J 



serve as fuel. 311 



Diseases. " The plants are attacked by many diseases ; 312 

 the principal of which are called Sambal or Sooroothy 

 knoo, and are supposed to be caused by the prevalence 

 of North winds and lightnings. The former, disease gives 

 the Cotton a pale tinge, while the latter causes the leaves 

 of the plant to curl. They are also attacked by caterpillars 

 and worms, whose correct names I am unable to obtain." 



(8) Tinnevelly: Mr. Mayne's detailed report.- 313 



Tinnevelly is one of the four principal Cotton growing and 

 exporting Districts in the Madras Presidency. The average Para 17 - 

 cultivation of late years is about 190,000 acres. The principal 

 port is Tuticorin. This District will be remembered as the 

 scene of Mr. Finnie's experiments and labors. The following Mr.o.May- 



ne a letter, 



interesting report, with reference to Professor Mallet's ap- ^ g< Nov - 

 plication for information, was supplied by Mr. Dawson 

 Mayne. 



Soil." Cotton is cultivated in all descriptions of soils 314 

 found in this district, but more extensively in those known 

 as the Caresal or Black Cotton soil ; secondly, in the Vep- 

 pel (a mixture of Black and Sandy soil) ; thirdly, in the 

 Pottel (a stiff clayey soil) ; and fourthly, in the Shevel or 

 Red soil. 



1st, The Caresal, or Black soil.-" The Black Cotton 315 

 soil is of a loose friable nature, varying in depth from two 

 to five or six feet. Soon after a heavy fall of rain, the upper 

 surface of the soil, to a depth of about nine inches, becomes 

 dry ; but the lower portion, to a depth of four or five feet, 

 will retain moisture for four or five weeks. The other crops 

 grown on this soil are cumboo, cholum, (different sorts of 

 maize) ; buller, Bengal gram, varagoo, red gram (species 



