14 PERRY, Terraced Cultivation and Irrigation. 



pains, the lower and broader fields having a rivulet 

 running through them, and these terraced up along the 

 sides being chiefly dependent upon the rainfall." 37 



Terraced cultivation is not found in Chittagong, but 

 it is present in Assam among the Meitheis, Kachari and 

 Khasi. 38 Some irrigation is found among the Garo but it 

 is mostly in the hands of Rabhas and Kochs. 39 Some of 

 the Naga villages have irrigated terraces but unfortunately 

 our information is not as definite as could be wished. 

 The Angami Naga are described by Hunter as cultivating 

 in terraces. "The terraces are constructed with wonderful 

 care and skill in the valleys and on the hill-sides, 

 ascending the latter for upwards of 1,000 feet, each little 

 field having its own retaining wall of stone 5 or 6 feet 

 high. Water is brought round for long distances in 

 channels cut with beautiful accuracy. The soil in the 

 terraces is manured." 40 



The Karen of Burma have terraces, each with walls 

 of stone 5 or 6 feet high. 41 Terraced irrigation is found 

 in Burma and the Shan states. 4 - 



The Batak of Sumatra have irrigated terraces but 

 they are surpassed by the people of Nias. " And yet the 

 Bataks do not represent the highest point attained ; this 

 is found in the remote little-visited Nias Archipelago." a 

 Terraced irrigation is carried on to a great degree in 

 Java, Madura, Bali, Lombok, and Sumbawa. 44 Wallace, 



37 Gonime, pp. 96-7 quoting from Shortt, "Hill ranges of southern 

 India." Richter, Manual of Coorg. 



33 T. C. Hodson, "The Meitheis;" S. Engle, "The Kacharis ; " 

 P. Guidon, " The Khasis." 



:i ' J A. Playfair, "The Garos." 



40 Gomme, p. 98, quoting from Jour. Roy. Anth. Inst., III., p. 478; 

 XL, p. 62. Shortt, " Hill Tribes of Southern India," V., p. 65. 



41 F. Colquhon, "Amongst the Shans," p. 65. 



42 Ratzel, III., pp. 18-19. 

 4 '•'■ Ibid, I., p. 428. 



44 Seniple, p. 456. 



