376 Account of Per gunnali Mahoba, Zillali Humeerpore. [No. 4. 



the khureef or summer harvest is "jowar," which occupies nearly 

 a third of the whole area cultivated ; while, contrary to what is the 

 case generally, " bajra" finds little favour : cotton stands next, and 

 then "sesame" and " kodo." In the " rubbee" or winter harvest, 

 wheat occupies more than half the whole cultivation, and among the 

 others "pulse" (unkhud) stands foremost, and barley, while " al" 

 also takes a very fair rank. 



There are but two species of cultivation on which I would parti- 

 cularly remark, —sugar sm&pawn. 



The former is grown very extensively throughout the Pergunnah, 

 and is a favourite crop wherever the pundooah soil predominates, and 

 water is either available from tanks, or near enough the surface for 

 wells to be dug at little expense (they cost ordinarilly from 1 to 9 

 or 10 Rupees, and last sometimes one, sometimes two years, accord- 

 ing to the rains). The sugar produced is generaly inferior, owing 

 to the poor cane sown. Instead of choosing the best for seed, any, 

 the most valueless is used. 



The peculiarity of this cultivation, however, is, where there is 

 no water obtainable, the want is artificially supplied by what is 

 termed " pulwar." After the cane is planted, the whole surface 

 of the field is covered over, to the depth of three to six inches, 

 with leaves, grass and straw, which retains all the moisture the 

 ground receives from dew or showers, indeed acts as a species of 

 hot bed ; and the sugar so produced seems equal to any other. 

 This mode of cultivation is, it seems, proper to Bundelcund. 



After writing the above Mr. C. Jackson informed me that this mode 

 of raising sugar is also prevalent in the Agra district. 



The pawn gardens (bareja) of Mahoba are well known all over the 

 provinces, and the leaves form a large item of export to the Doab, 

 up to Delhi and Agra ; indeed sepoys tell me that, in the Punjab 

 war, the Mahoba pawn was even there in great request. It has been 

 grown from time immemorial, the soil, tanks, &c. being especially 

 suited to it. The great requisite is an abundant supply of water, 

 and this the lakes of course afford. The cultivation is conducted by 

 a caste termed 4t Burai," and the export trade and sale by another, 

 called " Tambowlee." There are three localities in the Pergunnah 

 where it is carried on, Mahoba Khass, Didioara and Baregurh. 



