1837*] Mechanical Instruments of the Nepalese. 961 



adze, more than a spade, but differs from the former in having its 

 handle projecting from the off side of the neck of the instrument. 

 The delver holds the handle in both hands, and stooping forward 

 raises the spade at each cut above his head, bringing it down strongly 

 and steadily and cutting the sod rather slantingly, can make a furrow 

 in well moistened ground of 9 inches deep. The ground for both 

 crops of rice and for wheat, has two or three delvings. So soon as 

 one crop is off the ground the Newar turns up his field for another 

 one, thus gaining all the advantage from the decaying stubble, which 

 early ploughing can give*. This immediate turning up of the soil 

 is a matter on which the Newars lay much stress, and consequently 

 it is very common to see the women and children of the family cut- 

 ting down wheat and rice, at one end of a field, while the males are 

 delving it from the other. The kd costs about one current rupee. 



No. 5. — Kurmughan, (Neivari.) The wooden crutch-like instru- 

 ment used by the Newars for breaking down the clods, and prepar- 

 ing the soil for receiving seed. With this they reduce the earth to 

 the finest powder ; it is all they have for serving the purpose of our 

 iron rakes and harrows, nor is it inferior to them in the hands of 

 the very hard-working and skilful husbandmen who use it. 



No. 6. — Kdchi-mdghdn, (Newari.J The instrument used for co- 

 vering over sown wheat, and gayha or upland rice, is a block with 

 an upright shaft, used like a pavier's block. The gayha variety of 

 rice is suited to dryish lands, is not transplanted, but laid down in 

 seed, most carefully and laboriously, with the fiugers. When sown 

 thus, the ground is beaten down gently with the kdchi-mdghdn. 



No. 7. — Chassu-mughdn, (Newari.J A thin-edged wooden shovel, 

 used for smoothing the flooded beds in which the seed of the malsi, 

 and tali varieties of rice is sown, for the purpose of furnishing trans- 

 plants or seedlings. It is also used in the suburban fields, devoted 

 generally by the Newafrs to the raising of culinary vegetables, pep- 

 per (red), ginger, &c. &c. where it is necessary to prepare the soil 

 carefully and finely. 



No 8. — Kdkitcha, (Newari.) A small broad-pointed hoe, used by 

 the Newars, for weeding the flooded rice. 



No. 9. — Chong-kuki, (Newari.J A sharp-pointed hoe, used in weed- 

 ing the gayha or dry land rice, drid (a vetch), and other drill crops. 



N. B. Nos. 8 and 9 are iron instruments, with wooden handles. 



* Sir Humphrey Davy, proved chemically the advantages of using vegetable 

 manures fresh, and the practice is now general in England. — See his Lectures on 

 Agricultural Chemistry. 



