1838.] of the protected Sikh States. 761 



moist and sandy, as may easily be imagined, possession is most precari- 

 ous as these upper branches of the river are constantly changing their 

 course. An old tree is therefore seldom to be seen, or a pukka house, 

 generally grass sheds form the only habitations, because the sandy soil 

 will not bind to form mud walls but i3 washed to pieces by the first 

 rain, therefore fires are very frequent in the hot weather. 



The crops are the same as in my first division, exclusive of those which 

 I mentioned as peculiar to the higher grounds, and they only succeed 

 in years when elsewhere there is a failure; with moderate rain the whole 

 country reticulated as it is with channels of the Jumna is overflowed, 

 and it is only in very dry seasons that the crops succeed as in 1837 

 when they were most luxuriant. 



The lower part of the Khadlr is only intersected by a few channels 

 of old streams now used as escapes from the Delhi canal, this portion 

 is less liable to flooding and consequently in general bears middling 

 crops. Gram is seldom or never sown in it, and masur replaces it. 



The * Bhet 1 of the Sutlej differs from the Khadir of the Jumna by, 

 being yet more barren. (The upper part of this Bhet I have not seen, 

 and the lower part is nearly entirely covered with thick grass jangal 

 the haunt of wild beasts, similar to that in the Gangetic Khadir). 



The sand of the Sutlej is much darker in color and with much 

 larger flakes of mica than that brought down by the Jumna, and these 

 larger micaceous particles are observable throughout the whole of the 

 phalahi tract as well, while the babul and dhdk regions partake of 

 the Jumnatic character. 



Throughout the whole of this territory I have never seen the matar 

 of Bengal (Lathyrus sativus) cultivated, but it is constantly to be found 

 as a weed mixed with pulse or corn. 



The arhar (Cajanus flavus) is never cultivated by itself, but the 

 variety C. bicolor or tuar is sown round sugar-cane fields as before 

 mentioned, and is cultivated in the hills under the name of Jcui which 

 leads me to favor the considering them as two distinct species and not 

 merely varieties. 



I had hoped to have been able to give a more complete account, but 

 being removed rather suddenly I have been unable to complete some 

 inquiries I was previously making and therefore send this imperfect 

 as it is. 



5 c 2 



