1842.] On the Cotton called " Nurma" 315 



natives only make inquiries for this fine cloth, which is sold in a very- 

 few shops. The Nurma cotton of which these Mamoodies are now 

 made, has been in the Chanderee godowns for five or six years past, 

 and does not spoil by keeping. 



6th Query. — How many years does the Nurma cotton remain in 

 the soil ? 



6th Answer. — One year only. 



7th Query. — What soils are deemed the best for the Nurma cotton ? 

 Specimens of the soils are required. 



7th Answer. — The light brown loams are deemed the best cotton 

 soils. The Sersode soil is only sent ; one specimen from the surface ; 

 one from 8 inches deep ; one from 1£ feet deep. 



Sth Query.— -The nature of the soils and minerals around the cotton 

 fields ? 



8^ Answer. — These specimens for reasons stated have not been 

 brought. 



9th Query. — Are the Nurma cotton fields watered or not ; and if 

 watered, how often ? 



9th Answer. — They are nev§r watered, being left solely dependent 

 on the rains. 



10M Query. — When the Nurma cotton plants are about to flower, are 

 the tops broken off or not ? 



10th Answer. — The plants are always left in their native luxuriance. 



11th Query. — A specimen of Nurma cotton is required. 



lltk Answer. — The specimen of Nurma cotton is one imported at 

 Chanderee from Cholai Muhasur ; there is also a specimen of the deterio- 

 rated Nurma cotton from seed, as stated, sown at Chanderee. 



12th Query. — When the Nurma crop is ripening, is the plant liable 

 to disease ? 



12th Answer. — The Nurma plants produced at Chanderee were much 

 injured by insects and by frost. The insects were like those moths 

 that destroy woollen cloths. 



13th Query. — When the fields of Nurma cotton produce plentiful 

 crops, what tax is paid per beegah ? 



13th Answer. — From eight annas to one rupee a beegah, as for other 

 crops. 



14th Query. — At Chanderee how deep are the wells, and in what 



stratum is water found ? 



2 T 



