SUBATHU AND KOTGERIT. 481 



soil is not amply supplied with a sufficient quantity of rain during the lat- 

 ter part of February and early part of March, the crops are poor and not 

 unfrequently are followed by great scarcity and sometimes though seldom 

 by famine, when the natives are reduced to an extreme state of poverty 

 and wretchedness. In places more elevated, the grain suffers considerable 

 injury from too severe a winter, while lower down and on the banks of the 

 river Setlej, the wheat and barley crops yield but a small return even in 

 good seasons to the husbandmen. This however greatly depends on the 

 quantity of rain which may fall during the season. The low lands and flats 

 on the banks of rivers and streams are more adapted to the cultivation of 

 coarse rice which thrives remarkably well and produces a plentiful return 

 to the farmer.* 



After the different grain crops on the high lands have attained the height 

 of two or three inches the natives in the interior make a practice of spread- 

 ing manure over them which they say is the means of materially increasing 

 their value. 



Bullocks are the only animals used in all stages of agriculture in these 

 mountains on the hither side of the Himalaya and all grain is trodden by 

 them in the same manner as in the plains of India with their mouths muz- 

 zled. The grain after being cut, is bound into small sheaves and allowed 

 to lie, and dry in the sun for some time, after which it is stacked,! and sub- 

 sequently spread into circular flats paved with stones and trodden out as 

 above-mentioned. 



The same sort of rude light plough in the plains of Hindustan is also 

 used in the hills, and the other implements of husbandry are few, and of 

 little value. 



* Bamboos and some of the tropical fruits grow on the banks of the Setlej and the climates are verj 

 diversified according to the elevation above sea level. 



| This is only applicable to rice on the banks of the Setlej, &c. after it has been cut down. 



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