No, 9.— 1856-8.] DISTRICT OF nuwabakalawiya, 



143 



resorted to, he will be entitled to a betma share, equal to that 

 of his neighbours. It is to be observed, that the persons whose 

 land is thus selected, do not get larger allotments than others, 

 Frequently, the selected portion of land is worked in common, 

 and the produce divided among the peasants according to the 

 number of shares which they hold in their own right ; at 

 other times, it is actually subdivided, and each reaps the 

 produce of the portion allotted to him, just as if it were his 

 own ground. 



Each such betma arrangement is binding only for one crop ; 

 when it has been removed, matters revert to their original 

 position, 



Other customs connected with paddy cultivation, are as 

 follows :— 



If a man's betma share is denied to him, then he has a 

 right to demand a supply of water for his original share ; if he 

 insists upon this, it would in many cases happen that both 

 his and his neighbours' crops Avould die ; an amicable arrange- 

 ment is therefore generally made. 



If a man refuses to give his clue share of work or money 

 to the repair of the work, he cannot lead water to his field 

 till he has repaid those who laboured for him. 



If owing to neglect, as to fencing or watching, cattle or 

 elephants damage the crops, then the man in fault must make 

 good the loss. 



If a man, after being warned that his cattle tresspass, fails 

 to yoke them two and two, or else to tie cross bars to their 

 necks, he is liable for all damage which they do. 



If shareholders neglect to cultivate their fields for any 

 particular crop, then those who do cultivate are entitled to select 

 and to cultivate contiguous lands equal in extent to their own ; 

 the object of this is to lighten the labour of watching, fencing, 

 and irrigation, which would become very harassing if the 

 cultivated portions of the field were isolated. 



Several of these rules appear to me admirably adapted 

 for the people and country. The people are naturally lazy; 



