*SARTAGE” IN INDIA. 8 
‘In the extract proceedings of Board of Revenue, under 
date 16th April 1859, it is stated :— 
‘The Koomaree in Bekal has been shown to:be peculiar. 
It is chiefly Wargadar Koomaree, and the extent of land 
for which shist¢ is paid is specified in the patiah, and the 
Wargadar enjoys twelve times as much, on the supposition 
that he will go over the whole area in twelve years, though 
he now cultivates it more quickly;’ and some other 
modifications of this is practised in particular -districts. 
Some slight modifications of the regulations were sug- 
gested, but the restrictions generally were approved. 
It was felt, however, to be a matter involving the 
interests of a very great number of people, both directly 
and indirectly, and the Governor in Council, before passing 
a final order, transmitted a copy of the minute of the 
Board of Revenue to the Conservator of Forests, for his 
opinion on several questions raised. 
In the minutes of the Board of Revenue it was 
stated :— 
‘In some parts of Bekal, which is the most southerly of 
the téluks of Canara, Koomaree cultivation forms part of 
the business of the ordinary ryots, and as many as 25,476, 
or one-sixth of the population, are supposed to be engaged 
in it; but to the north of that taluk it is carried on by 
the jungle tribes of Malai Kadeos and Mahrattas, to the 
number of 59,500, 
‘6. In Fasli 1266, the area under Koomaree cultivation 
throughout the whole district was 17,084 acres, of which 
8556 acres were Sarkar Koomaree, that is Koomaree that 
is in forests not claimed by the owners of estates; and 
8528 acres, of which 5983 acres were within the limits of 
the Bekal téluk were attached to wargs, or holdings of 
proprietors. 
' ©], The question, whether it is expedient to allow this 
species of cultivation, first came under discussion in 
reference to the report of Dr Gibson to the Government 
of Bombay, which was referred to Mr Blane, Collector of 
