998 Report on subjects connected with Afghanistan. [No. 1 20. 



Punjab runs. This distance is scarcely less than 65 noiles, and the stones 

 are only varied by the occasional occurrence of patches of dry sand. 



These stones and shingle are not merely strewed over the surface of 

 these glacis slopes, but they constitute them entirely, and I do not 

 exaggerate when I mention, that sections may be seen along the 

 course of draining ravines, as much as 60 or perhaps 100 feet in depth. 



But although these portions of the country do not appear adapted 

 for any strictly agricultural purpose, there are considerable portions 

 of some of the finer vallies still uncultivated, and it is to these that 

 we must look for extension of cultivation. I shall merely mention 

 such places as presented themselves to my observation ; it would be 

 useless to make any suggestions, for a great increase in cultivation has 

 always, and rapidly, succeeded the accession of British supremacy. 



Of these vallies I would beg particularly to direct attention to that 

 of Pisheen, in which, on the line of route of the army, I was surprised 

 at seeing so little cultivation. This valley is, if not the largest, among 

 the largest ; its general altitude is perhaps 5,300 feet ; it is drained 

 by the river Lera, from which the application of the Persian wheel 

 would draw ample supplies for irrigation. The valley is also worthy 

 of examination as to the point of its applicability for a cantonment, 

 instead of that of Quettah, which has, I hear, been found to be decided- 

 ly unhealthy. Its extent and openness are greatly in its favour. 



When the army was at Candahar, a considerable amount of land 

 both near the city and towards Deh Hajji was found uncultivated. 

 The same remark also applies to the fine and elevated tracts between 

 Mookoor and Nanee. But as in both these instances it was doubtless 

 ascribable to a rapacious and unsteady Government, the tracts alluded 

 to, must already have begun to shew evidences of great and perma- 

 nent improvement. 



PART V. 



On contemplating the general resources of AfFghanistan, in connec- 



Minerals and Wool, the tion with its physical features, and nature of 



two greatest resources of .^^ inhabitants, it appears to me that there are 



the country— Proposed in- 

 troduction of useful Plants, two directions, which may possibly lead to 



positive and permanent improvement. I allude to Minerals and to Wool. 



I 



