185362.] CENTRAL TABLE-LAND : FIVE DISTRICTS. 255 



The ground is well ploughed, the deeper the better; and as CHAP. 



much as possible freed from weeds, and if uneven the in- L__ 



equalities reduced. It should then remain fallow some 

 months, and kept in readiness to receive the seed at a day's 

 notice, a single heavy shower will then fit it for the recep- 

 tion of the seed. Any such falling between the middle of 

 August and beginning of October should be taken advantage 

 of, to get the seed sown. If this is done, the plant will be 

 sufficiently advanced to derive the fullest benefit from the 

 monsoon rains, and should come into crop in the course of 

 January, a bright and dry month ; from which time in ordi- 

 nary seasons ifc will yield a constant harvest for three or 

 four months, and if refreshed by a shower or two in April 

 or May, will yield a second crop in Autumn. The first 

 hoeing is a most important operation, and should never be 

 delayed beyond the appearance of the third proper leaf (not 

 counting the two seed leaves) ; the ground should be freely 

 loosened round the roots, and superfluous plants thinned 

 out, so as to give those that are left ample room to spread 

 and fill the ground. In a month or two, when the flowers 

 begin to open, a second hoeing is wanted to clean the 

 ground ; otherwise it gets foul and weedy. From that 

 time little more is required, as the plants are then 

 sufficiently advanced to keep down the weeds and receive 

 little injury from them. Another ploughing in the interval 

 between the two hoeings is always beneficial, by so well 

 loosening and airing fche soil. Very few plants are injured 

 by ploughing between the rows, as the roots penetrate deeply 

 and are not in the way of the plough ; while any plant trod- 

 den down by the bullocks, the roots being uninjured, soon re- 

 covers. The seed should never be sown deeper than two 

 inches, if simply covered it is enough. From three and a 

 half to four feet between the rows is a good distance, as 

 allowing the free use of the plough ; heavier crops are so ob- 

 tained than from closer sowing, the fruit setting and ripening 



