1838. j Regulations of the Kerala-desa. 487 



It relates to choice of seed, and propitious time for sowing, in well 

 ploughed ground, by oxen well fed, near to places where there are 

 many inhabitants and where water can be obtained, as without water 

 the best labours will be fruitless. Other connected details. 



The third part relates to manure by decayed skins, ashes, dung and 

 the like. The rainy season when water descends in torrents from the 

 mountains, to be attended to, and the streams collected into reservoirs. 

 The planting and cultivation of rice. The planting of cocoanut trees, 

 areca, palms, pepper, vines, and other trees, as productive of great 

 advantages. These, and similar matters, are given in detail. 



The fourth part refers to the following topics. Times of beginning 

 agricultural labours, on reference to astrological configurations. Time 

 of harvest ; rules as to the choice of horses, bullocks, and other cattle, 

 in the purchasing of them, and modes of managing or taking care of 

 them so as to become most useful for agricultural purposes. 



The four parts are in poetical language. They form a kind of brief 

 georgics ; not well capable of being abstracted. This paper on agri- 

 culture in full, might be interesting to the curious ; and would be re- 

 quisite in any general description of the Malay ala country. 



Section 4. — Regulations, for laws of the Kerala-desa,) 



Discrimination between the person of integrity, and one devoid of 

 truth. Qualifications for good government, and for exercising the offi- 

 ces of a statesman. The duty of a king to protect the four classes of 

 the people or the brahmans, military, merchants, and cultivators. 



Local customs, and subdivisions of people. One who abuses a 

 brahman is to have his tongue cut out. The distance to be observed 

 by a Sudra in approaching higher classes ; different classes of Sudras 

 having different measures of distance assigned to them ; rules of debtors 9 

 loans and interest : modes of recovery in case of dishonesty. Recom- 

 mendation not to go to law ; but to refer the case to brahmans or other 

 special arbitrators. 



Laws of marriage. A brahman may marry four wives, and of each 

 of the inferior classes in order, without crime. Law of bonds for debt, 

 which hold good for only twelve years ; and after that period must be 

 renewed in order to be valid. Laws for regulating the forming of 

 lands, and settling disputes which may arise thereupon, which subject 

 closes the document. 



Remark, — This paper seems to be of some importance, towards any 

 just explanation of the great peculiarities that obtain in the Malay ala 

 country. 



3 p 2 



