20 FODDER IN INDIA. 



Chapraila. — A very early monsoon grass, quite good for 

 green issue, but growing rather coarse and with a broad 

 leaf is not always liked by recipients ; the seed heads 

 grow out from all round the stem after the style of a 

 fir tree. 



Makraila, Lapetwah, Bhulani, Gen Bandri, etc., are 

 all good for green issue or ensilage. On rich land they all 

 grow quickly and in a good season are very full of moisture 

 and inclined to be coarse, and therefore not over welcome on 

 the ration stands, in which case it is as well if possible to 

 use them for silage. At any rate be tactful if you have to 

 issue them and if you have got it put in a fair share of dub 

 (always welcome). In seasons of only light or moderate 

 rainfall, or with grasses from the poorer land you will have 

 no trouble, as a rule, if you are clear of weeds, fair, and 

 reasonable. > 



CHAPTER IX. 



With varying local conditions, and equally varying 



opinions which are not necessarily con- 

 Green Grass Issues. 



' stant for even a month on the same 



ration stand, it is impossible to make hard and fast 

 rules about '"issues" and methods of making issues, but 

 the following suggestions will act as a general guide. 

 Green grass during the monsoons must never be cut with a 

 khurpa {i.e. cheeled) it must either be with the Daranthi 

 (saw edged sickle), the jhaban or hassia (smooth edged 

 sickles) rather like a scythe blade and acting in a similar 

 way with the coolies body or arm as the handle, or with a 

 mowing machine. If you attempt to cheel on wet land, 

 particularly manured land, your grass will be full of mud 

 and roots from the very start — and you are spoiling your 

 plots. Avoid dirt or any appearance of it at all costs ; don't 

 let the grass get too long before cutting for green issues or 

 it will turn yellow at the bottom and at least look unpalat- 

 able ; keep clear of weeds ; it is a great point to start in 



