330 



JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). 



[Vol. VIII. 



The hire for ploughing bullocks is one a vanam if paid in advance, and 

 one and one third a vanam, or forty marakkals of paddy at the harvest. 



Before commencing cultivation, astrologers are consulted to find 

 out an "E'rnal," or an auspicious day, to commence cultivation ; 

 and that being fixed upon (which is generally at nights), the 

 cultivators go and wait at the field till the Pleiades rise or come 

 to the meridian, and then the cultivators plough or trample the 

 land, sow a few seeds, and have a small feast in the open field. 

 After cultivation, the plain is fenced by the joint labours of all 

 the cultivators, and watched at nights until the crop is reaped 

 and stacked. 



If the land is not commuted, the tythe goes to the Government 

 renter, but if commuted, the whole produce of the "Muttaddu" 

 (after paying two avanams to the " Muttaddu" cooly) goes to 

 the" "Podi." Tythe and seed-paddy, with 50 per cent, profit, 

 are only taken from the produce of "Munnilai vayal," and 

 those of the "Veliyans" are subject to various charges, as in the 

 following instance, viz. : — Suppose the produce of one cultivator's 

 share, three avanams in extent, yields twenty avanams of paddy, 

 he will have to pay 



2 avanams ma 



3 '„ 



1 „ 15 



2 „ 

 1 „ 

 „ 15 



akkal.. Tythe. 



... Seed-paddy. 



... Interest on it. 



... Maintenance paddy. 



... Interest on it. 



... Removal of above. 



10 



2 avanams 2 marakkal . 



1 



10 



o „ 



12 



o „ 



15 



o 



9 



o 



9 



o „ 



2 



o „ 



4 





2 



o „ 



5 



16 



10 



Cattle-hire. 



Hire of reaping his share. 

 Do. Muttaddu. 

 Do. biro -driver. 



Do. Vaddai Vitanai, or Superintendent. 



Do. removal of Muttaddu. 



Do. hunter for driving wild pigs, &c. 



Do. charmer of flies, &c. 

 For temple or mosque, and for the poor. 

 Arakku and charm for devils. 



which leaves a balance of 3 avanams 20 marakkals to the cultivator. 



