1842.] On the Cotton called " Nurma" 313 



hasur beyond Kidore on the Nerbudda ; the best Nurma cotton is 

 alone brought from that place. The Cholai Muhasur seed has on one 

 occasion been sown at Chanderee as an experiment, and though the 

 cotton produced was fine, it was not at all equal to the real Nurma 

 cotton of Cholai Muhasur. The inhabitants of Chanderee have no 

 idea of the time of the introduction of Nurma cotton into India. For 

 the last 25 years, the present fineness of thread has been spun ; formerly 

 the thread spun was so very fine as to require a blanket on the ground 

 moistened to receive it as it came from the wheel, when the thread was 

 scarcely visible ; and it is said, that a skein placed loosely in a saucer 

 of water, might have been drank unknown to the person swallowing it. 

 Mussulmans and Hindoos of all classes equally employ themselves in 

 spinning this cotton. Nurma is the name given by the Mussulmans ; 

 the real name from time immemorial is " Burari," which would indicate 

 Berar as the original country of this cotton ; or the word may have 

 arisen from the cotton drawing easily out into a thread, from " bur ana," 

 to draw out. 



2nd Query. — Is Nurma cotton produced in the common fields, or 

 does it require peculiar ground and treatment ? 



2nd Answer. — Nurma cotton has always been imported into 

 Chanderee, and has only once been sown there about five years ago. 

 The Nurma seed was sown at the villages of Keerawul and Sersode, 

 four miles from Chanderee; the cotton produced was not so good as 

 that of Cholai Muhasur, the crop was besides injured by insects, the 

 ryots therefore did not sow it again. It appears, however, evident, that 

 the Nurma cotton would succeed about Chanderee, but there being 

 very little demand, there is no encouragement. At present Cholai 

 Muhasur supplies amply more than is required at Chanderee. As 

 stated, three beegahs were sown at Keerawul, and two beegahs at 

 Sersode, and the cotton produced, though fine, was like common country 

 cotton in adhering firmly to seed, and hence was rejected by the 

 spinners. The soils at these villages are light brown loams. In these 

 native experiments, the Nurma seed was sown in the same way as the 

 common country cotton. After the first rain in June, the ground was 

 ploughed, then allowed to imbibe a heavy shower, the seed was then 

 sown, then harrowed with the wooden "putela," then exposed to a few 

 days' rain, after which the young plants were weeded by the hand, the 



