106 Report on the Statistics of Banda. [No. 2. 



the kernel of the stone is ahout the size of that of a cherry having very 

 much the flavor of the Pistachio. The fresh fruit is sub-acid and said 

 to be very delicious when quite fresh. I have never had an opportu- 

 nity of tasting it. 



59th, Jamon, Jamoa, and a third species of Eugenia found by the 

 banks of rivers, yield small acrid fruits which are much eaten by natives. 



60th. The Jhar-beir (Zyzyphus nummularia vel Jujuba) is found 

 in every direction, the fruit is gathered and exposed for sale in the 

 bazars. The whole bush is cut with hooks, threshed, so as to separate 

 the leaves which are an excellent fodder for cattle and especially for 

 sheep, and the thorny branches remaining are either used to make 

 fences or as fuel. 



61st. The Babul (Acacia Arabica), is most abundant in the 

 northern part of the district springing up every where spontaneously, 

 yielding a gum, good fodder for goats, thorny branches for fences, and 

 excellent timber for agricultural purposes. 



62nd. There are not many gardens in the district, the depth and 

 brackishness of the water generally being against that, however with 

 care, plantains, oranges, limes, and shaddocks of very fine quality are 

 produced. The Khirni and Jack fruit are rare. Phalsas and culti- 

 vated Bers are abundant. Mangoes of very inferior quality are abun- 

 dant, but all attempts to introduce good varieties have failed ; the trees 

 are said to degenerate. 



63rd. A peculiarity in Bundlecund is the custom of preserving 

 meadows (Rukhel) for hay, this is of the best quality principally from 

 a sweet-scented species of Anthistiria called Musel; this springs up 

 during the rain being ready for cutting in October, when it is cut and 

 stored. The usual price in the Banda market is 1,000 bundles for the 

 Rupee, each bundle being as much as can be contained by both spans 

 of the hands. 



64th. The very destructive weed Kans (Saccharum spontaneum), 

 yields a good coarse grass for thatching. This weed has long spread- 

 ing roots which strike deep into the earth, and when it has effected a 

 lodgement it is most difficult of extirpation and almost entirely pre- 

 vents any attempts at cultivation. It is said however to die out after 

 from 5 to 8 years if left to itself. I have been endeavouring to destroy 

 it by flooding, but my experiments failed owing to the badness of the last 

 rainy season. 



