1864.] 



On the Vegetation of the Jhelum District. 



293 



Gram. This is cultivated, but in small patches in this tract — of a 

 fine quality. The quantity, however, is not sufficient for local con- 

 sumption, a large importation taking place from other parts of the 

 district. Along with it we have the " Massoor," JEruum lens, cultivated; 

 either mixed with the former or separately. 



A very small quantity of the pulses are cultivated in this tract, viz. 



" Moth." Phaseolus aconitifolia. 



" Mung." Phaseolus mango (The split peas of which constitute the 

 varieties of Dahl). Their quality is good, though the crop is scarcely 

 sufficient for local consumption. 



Bajree and Jowar, both excellent in their quality, are very largely 

 cultivated, and together with barley and wheat may be considered the 

 staple crops of the whole district. The Zemindar-class live chiefly on 

 the Bajree and Jowar, consuming for their food little of either wheat or 

 "barley. Their cattle also are largely dependant for fodder upon the 

 Boossa obtained from the crushed stalks and leaves of the two former, 

 owing to the great want of pasturage in this tract. There are several 

 kinds of Boossa for feeding cattle, viz., that most commonly in use, 

 which is produced, as already stated, from the crushed leaves and 

 stalks of the Bajree and Jowar ; that made from the straw of wheat 

 and barley ; that made from the straw and leaves of the pulses and 

 gram, which last is the highest in price and by the natives given 

 chiefly to their horses, as also to cattle for fattening. Lastly, Boossa 

 obtained from the leaves of the " Baer" the Zizyphus vulgaris. 



Oil seeds. Of these we have— 



" Surson." The seeds of JBrassica campestris, and Uruca, L. which 

 by simple expression yield oil called commonly " Surson ka tel," or 

 " Thara meera ka tel." JB. Eruca yields a darker oil than B. campestris 

 and hence, to distinguish this oil from that of the latter, it is often 

 called " kala surson ka tel" or " kala surson." The seed of the Til 

 Sesamum Indicum—^ho by simple expression, yields "Til ka tel" 

 viz. Til oil. 



The seed of the flax " Ulsee" yields " Ulsee ka tel" viz. Linseed oil. 

 The plants of the above are cultivated, but not in sufficiency for the 

 uses of the tract, and hence their products are largely imported. 



Cotton is grown in tolerable quantities, but as a field crop, is very 

 poor in quality. Where, however, it is grown as a garden crop and 

 freely watered, some of the produce is exceedingly good, both as 



