KUMARI CULTIVATION. 131 



Extract from the Minutes of Consultation. 



30th March 1859. 



" In pars. 16 to 18 (p. 126), the Conservator responds to the call 

 made upon him in E. M. C, 28th Feb. 1857, to report fully on 

 the " kumari" system of cultivation, Dr Cleghom has consulted 

 various persons whose opinions on the subject may be considered 

 to bear weight, and has come to the conclusion that it is neither 

 possible nor desirable to suppress kumari cultivation altogether ; 

 but that it should be carried on under stringent regulations ; the 

 chief of them being, that a previous application for a specified 

 extent should be made in every case, and that any unauthorised 

 operations should be punished by severe fine ; and that it should 

 be wholly prohibited and stopped in the neighbourhood of trunk 

 roads, navigable rivers, or the sea-shore, as well as in all localities 

 where there is valuable timber. 



" These views appear to the G-overnor in Council to be judicious 

 and practical; but before issuing final orders on the subject, he 

 resolves to refer the question for the consideration, of the Board 

 of Kevenue, who have had the question of kumari under their 

 consideration at various times within the last few years. What- 

 ever rules may be established, the active co-operation of the 

 Kevenue Department will be necessary in order to enforce them, 



" J. D. BOTJKDILLON, 



" Secretary to Government." 



Extract Proceedings Board of Revenue, l&ih April 1859. 

 No. 1350. 



" 3. As the term Kumari is peculiar to the Canara district, it is 

 necessary in the first place to explain what it is. 



" 4. Kumari described. — The name given to cultivation whichtakes 

 place on forest clearings. A hill side is always selected, on the slopes 

 of which a space is cleared at the end of the year. The wood is left 

 to dry till the following March or April, and then burned. In most 

 localities the seed is sown in the ashes on the fall of the first rains 



