1840.] Lieut. Irwin's Memoir of Afghanistan. 197 



There are large spaces uncultivated, though it is certain that 

 cultivation by wells would succeed in most of them. The 

 villages are small and defenceless. The houses in general 

 are thatched, and as unsubstantial and cheap as in any part of 

 India. In some quarters those who attend the live stock in 

 their pasturage, shelter themselves under mats. In the winter 

 come down Bulochees from the west to pasture their sheep. It 

 is difficult to tell what is the chief stock of this country. The 

 natives live on vegetable food. There is little wood either 

 wild or cultivated, the best supply is from the babool tree. The 

 chief fuel is guz. 



Shal and Mustoong. 

 227. These places are about a day's journey distance, and 

 they are commonly coupled together in conversation. Kirta is 

 about eighteen miles west of Dhadur, and has little cultivation. 

 It is the last place in Seeweestan, and from it they reckon 

 thirty-four coss, or fifty miles, to the town of Shal, the interme- 

 diate space being uncultivated, and even but little visited by 

 the shepherds. Part of it is the high and cold plain called 

 Dushti-be-daulat, which is a long day's journey broad, and has 

 no water. The temperature of Shal and Mustoong is little warm- 

 er than that of Kilat. The only crop is the rubee, which is 

 irrigated from one or more streams. The people generally live 

 in houses, which are flat-roofed. Timber is to be had for their 

 small consumption, and fuel is cheap. The natives subsist by 

 agriculture. They are but few in number. Shal may have 

 1000 houses, and Mustoong is larger. All the other villages 

 may be equal to Shal. These places are under Mahommud Khan 

 of Kilat, and are in Bulochistan. This country, generally speak- 

 ing, is included in the ancient geographical division of Khoora- 

 san, but in the present times Bulochistan and Khoorasan are 

 often contra-distinguished. With Shal and Mustoong begin new 

 manners and practices in domestic economy, for here the people 

 make that hard species of cord, known by the name of Kooroot, 

 and which is not made in Seeweestan by the people of Indian 

 race, who are the most numerous of those who dwell there. 



