18 REMARKS OX AGRICULTURE 



The sweet potatoe* is planted at different seasons 

 in different parts oi Bengal, but in this district it is 

 planted at the beginning of October. The ground is 

 previously ploughed to as great a depth a§ possible, 

 and then cuttings, taken from a small spot reserved 

 for that purpose, are planted ; these cuttings soon 

 take root, and afterwards require no further care, till 

 the roots are fit to be taken up, which begins to be 

 the case at the end of December, and continues till 

 May, during which time the produce is dug up and 

 carried to market as it suits the convenience of the 

 cultivator. Another variety, of a white colour, 

 which has very little sweetness, and a small species 

 of yam,! the root of which is about the size of a 

 goose's Q^g, are cultivated in the more northern parts 

 of the district. The cuttings of the plants of the 

 convolvulus, and the small roots of the yam, are 

 planted in April or May, and the produce brought to 

 market in October or November. 



Three varieties of the Arum esculentwn, (Cachd 

 of the Hindus,) are usually planted in March or 

 April. The cultivation of these roots, occupies a 

 considerable portion of the soil, and the produce is 

 as important as potatoes to the people of England. 

 The offsets from the root are planted in rows, about 

 a foot and a half or two feet asunder, and as the plant 

 increases in size, are earthed up as potatoes are in 

 Europe. The periodical rains being ended, the leaves 

 die away; after which, from November to March, 

 the roots are taken up, and carried to market, as 

 suits the convenience of the cultivator. These roots 

 abound with a farinaceous substance, or rather with 



Convolvulus batatus. t Dioscorea. 



