984 Report on subjects connected with Afghanistan. [No. 120, 



Maize. — Maize, or Indian corn, is largely cultivated, especially about 

 Peshawur, where its flour is said to constitute the chief sustenance of 

 the inhabitants. Sorghum and bajra are likewise frequent in the 

 lower parts of the country. 



All these enter into other uses than merely giving nutritious grains. 

 The young wheat and barley are cut, and given as green fodder 

 to cattle ; this is esteemed especially serviceable in improving condi- 

 tion, and is known by the name of khased. The straw of all is taken 

 great care of, and chopped up into boosa. 



The stout stemmed kinds, as Indian corn, sorghum, and bajra, are 

 given entire to cattle, who eat the leaves and the ears ; they are stored for 

 winter fodder at least in some parts, and are then cut into small pieces, 

 in this state it is called khurbee. None of the other grains are worthy 

 of notice, the supply being limited, and the product very inferior. 



Of leguminous grains, the Afghans cultivate muttur, a sort of 

 chunna, oror moong ; but I know of none so good, or so extensively 

 useful, as to merit detailed notice. As might be expected, with the 

 exception of muttur (peas), these are confined to the warmer and more 

 tropical parts; all may be observed about Jellalabad. 



Oily ^seeded Platits. — Of oily-seeded plants, mustard is the one 

 universally cultivated ; they have also another species chiefly confined 

 to the lower districts, in these also sesamum, or til, may be met with. 

 The country also possesses linseed, but I have never seen it exten- 

 sively cultivated. 



Sugar. — The only place in which I noticed sugar was in the valley 

 of Jellalabad, where it occurs to some extent. It appears to be the same 

 kind as that in common use throughout the North-west. The chief 

 supply of sugar, which from the fondness of Afghans for sweet-meats 

 must be considerable, appears to be derived from the plains. Coarse 

 sugar-candy, in flat cakes, v/as procurable in 1840 at Cabul, for one- 

 half to two seers the rupee; a coarse kind of Russian loaf sugar, was 

 common also in the market. 



Cotton. — Cotton is entirely confined to the lower districts, a good 

 deal is cultivated about Jellalabad. Two plants are cultivated for 

 their colours. 



Madder. — Safiiower and madder. The former occurs extensively 

 about Cabul, and is perhaps worthy of a more detailed notice than I 



