4 REMARKS ON AGRICULTURE 



is straight. The upper edge has two elevations, one 

 over the neck of each ox, but is cut down at the 

 middle and at each end, so as to remain about two 

 inches deep. Four bamboo pins are passed through 

 the yoke, one at each end, and two in the middle, 

 which, descending on each side the animal's neck, are 

 connected by a cord under its throat. The beam of 

 the plough rests on the middle of the yoke, and ifi 

 fastened to it by a cord. 



Only one person attends a plough, holding the 

 handle in one hand, and occasionally pulling the tails 

 of the oxen with the other, to guide them, or strik- 

 ing them with a stick to quicken their pace. A pair 

 of oxen may be purchased for six or eight rupees, a 

 plough for five annas, and a yoke for four. An in- 

 strument called Mai is drawn over the field after it 

 has been sufficiently ploughed. This may be called 

 the harrow of the Hindus. It is made of bamboo, 

 in the form of a ladder, and is four or five feet in 

 length. A cord, fastened to the centre of this rude 

 instrument, is connected with the centre of the yoke, 

 and the driver stands on the harrow, assisting its 

 operation by his weight, and guiding the cattle with 

 his hands. Land pulverized and laid smooth with 

 the Mai retains it moisture, and is fit to receive seed 

 in dry weather, several days longer than it would be 

 if this was neglected. The Hindus call the opera- 

 tion, when performed for that purpose, Ilasbandhan, 

 or the confining of the moisture. 



In dry seasons it is often necessary to water the 

 fields. For this purpose an instrument called a Jdnt 

 is used. The Jcmt is a trough of light wood, from 

 twelve to sixteen feet long, somewhat curved to admit 

 a greater depth in the middle, the bottom is five or six 



