298 CULTIVATION OF KICE IN MALACCA. 



(4) A roller with its appurtenances (to knock down the 

 long weeds, such as sedges, in fields that have lain fallow for a 

 long while) ; 



(5) A wood cutter's knife to mend any of the implements 

 that may get out of order at the time of ploughing ; 



(6) A hoe to repair the embankments and level the higher 

 ground. 



(7) A scythe to cut the long w^eeds ; 



(8) And a whip to rrge the buffalo on if he is lazy. 



3. — When the proper season has arrived for beginning the 

 work of planting and the elders have come to an agreement with 

 the Pavvang, then on some Friday after the service in the 

 Mosque the Penghulu addresses all the people there present, 

 saying that on such a day of the month, every one who is to 

 take part in rice-cultivation must bring to the Mosque half a 

 quart of grain (for "mother se.d") in order that that MaiUud 

 prayers may be read over it. (At that time Ketupats and 

 Lepats are prepared for the men who are to read those prayers). 



When the Aiaulud prayers are over, every man goes down 

 to the rice-field, if possible on the same day or the next one, in 

 order to begin ploughing the nursery plot, that is the plot which 

 is near his house or in which he has been in the habit of sowing 

 the seed every year. 



But if a man has a great number of plots, he will begin by 

 ploughing half of them and then at the end of the month of Zil- 

 hijah he must diligently prepare the nursery plot, so as to be 

 ready in about ten days' time. 



Of Sowing. 



4. — Before sowing one must first of all lay out the grain, 

 both the seed-grain and the " mother-seed," each separately, to 

 dry. It must then be soaked in a vessel (a bucket or pot) for 

 two days and two nights, after which it is taken out, strained 

 and spread quite evenly on a mat with fresh leaves (areca-nut 

 fronds are best) and every afternoon one must sprinkle water 

 on it, in order that the germ may quickly break through, which 

 will happen probably in two days' time or thereabouts. 



5_ — While the seed is soaking, the nursery plot must be 



