28 BALL : GEOLOGY OF AURUNGA AND HUTAR COAL FIELDS. 



Mr. Forbes seems to think that the cotton crop is the one most 

 likely to flourish and yield a good return under 

 proper cultivation. But for this to be successful 

 a better class of seed sliould be imported. 



The majority of cotton-bearing plants which I saw averaged under 

 a foot in height. Not only is the variety grown a stunted miserable 

 one, but it appears to be particularly subject to the attacks of insects ; 

 at least such was the case with the crops grown last season after the 

 short rainfall. In at least 75 per cent, of the cotton fields seen by me, 

 I noticed that the hols had not been collected, but had fallen to the 

 ground where they were left to rot, the reason being, as I was informed, 

 that the kernels had been eaten by grubs, and that it was therefore 

 impossible to clear the fibre from the broken fragments of the seed 

 shells in the rude machines [chirhis) used for that purpose. 



The damage done to the kharif crops by drought, to the rabi 

 crops by rain coming too late and by heavy hoar- 

 frosts, and finally to the crop of mhowa flowers 

 by rain, while the collection of a most abundant harvest was going on, 

 all contributed to make up during the last twelve months in Palamow a 

 tale of loss and consequent suffering, without absolute famine, which it is 

 most unpleasant to contemplate. 



In Mr. Forbes^ report and the appendices will be found full in- 

 formation as to the principal crops grown and the 



Crops how raised and amount of exports from which deductions may be 

 exported. ^ "" 



drawn as to the probable amount of grain traffic. 

 The immediate result of an increased prosperity among the people 

 would, perhaps, be a diminution in the quantity of grain exported. 

 But with the introduction of capital and improved systems of cultiva- 

 tion, this would be far more than recouped in a very few years. 



Section 5. — Climate. 



The comparative healthiness of a district in which it is proposed to 

 establish iron-works or other similar undertakings should be no mean 

 ( 28 ) 



