6 

 infrequently five or six feet deep, or more, "but thi=> flood 

 su"bsides within a few hoiirs. Bein^ situated on river sides, 

 the soil naturally retains some moisture, even in the dry 

 season, hence artificial irrigation is unnecessary. 



The houses of the watchmen are raised on stout posts of 

 jack wood, driven in deep. The house proper is fifteen feet 

 alDOve the level of the ground. During the flood, the pigs, 

 dogs, fovvls and goats take refuge on a lower platform, beneath 

 the house proper. 



The orange is said to do best on limestone soil. The 

 fruit grown at Tyna, where the soil rtsts on limestone, is 

 reported to "be the "best gro^vn in the district. The bulk of 

 the crop is, however, grown on soils derived from siliceoxis 

 rocks containing very little lime. 



In the Shalla groves there are trees o.'C considerable age 

 that have lived out at least three generations of men. These 

 old trees are great fruit bearers, some yield 1,000 oranges. 

 Whatever may be their age, the;/ never gro\w to a greater girth 

 than three feet (about one foot diameter), or to a greater 

 height than 20 feet. 



Orange trees are invariably raised from seed in the Khas:. 

 Hills, The seed fruits are taken from trees selected for 

 their good quality. They are plucked when fully ripe. After 

 being pressed out of the pulp, the seeds are tested by iinmer- 

 sion in water ; those v/h Lch sink are taken and those which 

 float are rejected. The selected seeds are thoroughly washed 

 and dried in the sun for tv/o or three days. The seed must be 



