356 Report on the Island of Chedooba. [No. 113. 



boats employed with her ; the price given was 1 rupee for a basket and a 

 half or 90 lbs., this was cleaned ; grain paddy w r as at a much cheaper rate. 



Both with regard to soil and produce, what has been hitherto stated 

 of Chedooba stands also true, of Ree-queng or Flat Island, its dependency, 

 and close to its southern shore. 



The adaptation of the lands of Chedooda to the culture of rice, over 

 these parts where it is now grown, is so clearly shewn by the quantity 

 and quality produced, that it would seem hardly to warrant any expecta- 

 tion of benefit to be derived from change of produce to be made on 

 them, and those of like character. To such a change also the preoccu- 

 pation of the present lands in this produce, and the necessity (if prac- 

 ticable) of instructing the natives in the village of any new one in its 

 place, present obstacles difficult to encounter, if not insurmountable. 



In considering therefore for any general improvement in the agricultural 

 value of the Island, as connected with the grain in question, regard can 

 only be had to the extension of its culture where practicable, or to an 

 improvement in the method of it, if necessary. On this latter point I am 

 not competent to speak. On the subject of its extension I may say, that 

 by observation made in passing through the country, from four to six 

 times, the extent at present under tillage exists as waste land, applicable 

 for rice. Limiting its cultivation to those flat plains where alone it 

 can be extensively carried on, so that, assuming all rice land to be most 

 profitably occupied in this production. 



That the method of tillage does not admit of material improvement, 

 and also, that of this grain no second crop can be produced in one year, 

 and the above estimate would form the greatest probable increase of 

 annual value derivable from this source. It might indeed be increased 

 if a second crop of other produce could be procurable from the grounds, 

 but even for their full occupation in the staple produce, European energy, 

 intelligence and capital must supply the means. 



Tobacco forms the next principal produce of Chedooba. In general 

 its cultivation is confined to small gardens of about a rood each, in the 

 immediate vicinity of the villages. 



The gardens are all clearly kept, and a lighter mould with more vege- 

 table matter in it, is preferred for their soil. The plants were much 

 closer together than I have observed them to be cultivated in Syria, 

 and the Levant, and I think must w r ant light and air in ripening the 

 leaf, as well perhaps as room for arriving at full size. 



I found but one spot on the Island where its cultivation was at all 

 extensive ; this was in a small valley about a quarter mile in width, in the 



