14 Remarks ox Agriculture 



Calcutta, and probably that cultivated in all the 

 southern parts oF Bc7igal, is accounted much inferior 

 to that cultivated in the northern parts of the coun- 

 try. The natives attribute this to the difference of 

 soil. This may have some effect, but it is probable 

 that the variety cultivated in the south, is inferior 

 to that cultivated in the north ; as, even there, the 

 large variety is preferred to the smaller one. 



Phaseolus Mungo is usually sown in small fields 

 about the beginning of June, and generally produces 

 a good crop ; it will thrive only on high and good 

 land. Fhaseolm radiatiis is sown in July and August, 

 on land where another crop has failed, and, not un- 

 frcquently, on old sward, or on land which could 

 not be regularly cultivated. The seed is scattered 

 over the land, often without any ploughing at all, 

 and at most the plough is only drawn over the sur- 

 face so as to make a few slight scratches. This crop 

 ripens in October. It is obvious that much produce 

 is not to be expected from such a mode of culture. 

 The crops are indeed light, but are often sufficient 

 to pay the rent of the land. A more rational me- 

 thod of cultivation would doubtless be far more 

 productive. 



The low and loamy soils, after having produced 

 a crop of early rice, arc usually sown with the seeds 

 of some other plant, in October or November. The 

 mode of culture for all the cold season crops is near- 

 ly alike. The natives seldom begin to sow till about 

 the full moon in October, supposing that tliC soil 

 possesses a pernicious' quality, which burns up the 

 young plants, till the cold season is well set in. In- 

 deed, before that time, the quantity of moisture in 

 the soil is too great, and the heat of the season un- 



