1853-62.] 



CAKNATIC: EIGHT DISTRICTS. 



205 



Climate. — " The regular kalum rains commence in 

 August and terminate in November ; while the koday 

 rain falls in March and April. The year 1858, how- 

 ever, proved an exception, as during the month of May 

 there was an average fall of more than nine inches in 

 fifteen days. The annexed statement shows the amount 

 of rain that fell during the last official year. 



307 



MEA. IN. T. 



Madacolum 



Tiroomangalum 



Meylore 



Tandicomboo 



Izempully 



Tenkurray 



Nellacottah 



71 



45 

 65 



54 

 18 

 67 



66 



Seed used and whence obtained. — " After the fibre 308 

 has been removed, the seed is preserved till within a 

 few days of the sowing season. It is then soaked for 

 two or three minutes in water in which cow-dung has 

 been steeped, and then pressed by hands on a floor ex- 

 posed to the sun, with a view to remove any particles 

 of the fibre, and thus to ensure the separate deposition 

 on the ground of each seed, which takes place three days 

 afterwards. In some instances, under the impression 

 that such a process will render the Cotton white and 

 smooth, the Eyots mix with the said water, chunam, 

 butter-milk, or salt ; but I have no information that 

 any such result is obtained. 



Character of the Cotton Plant.—" The Cotton of this 309 

 district is herbaceous in character, growing to an aver- 

 age height of 3^- feet. The branches extend about If 

 feet from the stems, which grow at an average distance 

 from each other of H feet. The main root shoots 

 downwards to a depth of 1^ feet ; whilst the lateral 

 roots spread out about of a foot. 



Mode of cultivation, time of flowering, weight of 310 

 Cotton wool per acre. — " The fields intended for this 

 cultivation are usually ploughed seven times, at the 

 least four times, between May and September. In the 



