INDIGO. 



361 



In Chiimparun the rent is generally included in the price paid to 

 tlie ryot, and the same practice is pursued in Sarun, where lands are 

 taken from the ryots ; but in the latter district the majority of the 

 planters cultivate their own lands, and consequently the arrangements 

 made with cultivators affect but a comparatively small number. In 

 Tirhoot the more usual practice is to wite off the rent of the land in 

 the factory books, and to give the ryot Es.5 to Es.6-8 per beegah. 



The lands taken from the ryot are retained for three to five years 

 by the factory, after which they are useless for growing indigo ; 

 though, as the plant has a long tap root, and di'aws its nourishment 

 from the sub-soil, they become improved for the growth of cereals 

 and green crops, which subsist upon the surface soil, which has the 

 advantage of a long fallow, and of being manured by the indigo 

 leaves. In lieu of the lands given up, other land is taken from the 

 ryots for the rest of the term of the agreement ; and in some instances 

 a clause is inserted that these exchanged lands shall be selected by 

 the factory from the best of those in the ryots' holding. 



Speaking generally, the crop may be said to be sown in February, 

 and the cutting and manufacture to commence early in July. A second 

 cutting of the khoontee crop generally takes place in September, and 

 the land is clear in October, except in a very few instances, and these 

 are mainly to the south of the Ganges, where poppy lands are taken 

 for the growth of a crop of irrigated indigo. No other crop can be 

 grown during the same year, as when the crop is taken off the ground 

 in October, the preparations for fitting the ground for the next year's 

 crop are begun. The soil best fitted for it is a rich loam with a good 

 sub-soil, neither too sandy nor too stiff. Old river deposits not liable 

 to inundation give the best yield ; but fine crops are also grown in 

 inland villages, or uplands or bhit. 



The cost of cultivation to the ryot may be taken at Es.4-11 per 

 beegah, so that with the highest rates paid him the profit is small, 

 whereas the profit of a rubbee or winter crop on the same land is 

 calculated to be Es.3, and considering that the best lands are taken 

 for indigo, this is a low valuation. The following figui'es show the 

 cost of cultivating one beegah of indigo (4225 yards) : 



R. a. p. 



Two ploughings before digging up the son .. .. 4 



Digging .. 10 



Two ploughings after digging 4 



Two additional ploughings 40 



Clearing the land 5 



Diagonal ploughing 02 



Second clearing 030 



Ploughing the crop 020 



First weeding 80 



Second „ 4 



First cutting 060 



Second „ 5 



Ploughing the khoontee 040 



Second growth — 



Incidental expenses, such as extra ploughing and 



raking after rain 080 



Total 411 



