1838.] of the protected Sikh States. 753 



and drier soils. All these crops suffer severely from the depredations 

 of a hairy caterpillar called kamli of the genus Sericaria. 



In the rabi, wheat and barley form the principal crops, gram not 

 extensively and generally mixed with either of the above, and masur 

 (Ervum lens J very little cultivated ; sarson (Sinapis dichotomaj is 

 sown to a considerable extent, generally mixed with barley. The poppy 

 is a valuable but very precariouscrop, it is extensively cultivated in 

 rich irrigable lands, and when not destroyed by hail, which is too often 

 the case, amply repays the labor expended on it. The land is plough- 

 ed three times, being plentifully watered between each ploughing, before 

 sowing ; and subsequently the plant is kept continually irrigated till the 

 fruit is formed. The opium is collected in the usual way, by women 

 and children, an incision being made in the head by a three-pronged 

 instrument. The heads are kept and sold, the seeds for oil as well as 

 an agreeable food, remarkably refreshing during fatigue and abstinence ; 

 with the exception of what is sold in the neighbourhood the opium is 

 sent to the westward where the poppy is not cultivated for it, for the use 

 of the Sikhs who are immoderately fond of it and consume immense 

 quantities. Tobacco is not much cultivated. 



II. The Babul country. This tract extends from the Markhanda 

 (the narrow slip between that river and the Linda being intermediate 

 in its character), to the high ground between the river called in the 

 map " Khanpur ki naddi" and the most western branch of the 

 Ghaghar. It is intersected with numerous streams rising either in the 

 outer range of hills as the Ghaghar, Markhanda, Begana, Baliala, 

 Tangrie and Rhone, or in the high ridge which separates the tract from 

 the Sabcolline Khadir as the Ombla, Charmari and other nameless 

 streams enjoying the generic name of chhoa when depending on rain, or 

 ogal when fed by small springs. The soil is generally sandy and salt, 

 which latter characteristic is shown by the abundance offras ( Tamarix 

 faras) which will flourish only in such a soil. The babul or kikar 

 (Acacia arabica) is the natural product, every where springing up and 

 often forming extensive groves. The general appearance of this tract is 

 pretty, the level of the plains being frequently diversified by gentle 

 slopes towards the numerous rivers and their tributary ravines. 



The horizon is generally bounded by groves of babul trees, which are 

 also abundantly scattered through the fields. But what gives a pecu- 

 liar feature to a considerable portion of the country, especially between 

 Ambald and Patidla, are the numerous hedge-rows ofj'ras, which near 

 the villages often form beautiful shady lanes, reminding one of English 

 srcenery. This very useful tree is planted from cuttings about a foot 

 5 b 2 



