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



[Vol. IX. 



touched. In kalavellamai lands, in which a quicker-growiug 

 paddy is cultivated, after the usual deductions the cost falls 

 to 1J day's labour to the bushel; and if a return of 30 

 bushels to the acre is secured, the proportion is still further 

 reduced to 1 day's labour, while a return of 37 bushels would 

 secure a bushel of paddy for j day's labour. 



Id Matara the proportion is as follows : — ■ 



For a 25-bushels'crop lj day per bushel. 

 30- „ l-fj „ 



37- „ 1^ „ 



As I have already stated, the expenses of cultivation 

 have erred on the side of liberality, while the return has 

 been taken at a moderate rate. I feel, consequently, after a 

 very careful consideration of the whole subject, I am by no 

 means overstating the case in venturing to affirm broadly, 

 that in a fair land, properly irrigated, on an average a day's 

 labour produces a bushel of paddy. 



As I have taken a low rate of yield, I have made no 

 special deductions for unfavourable years, attacks of in- 

 sects, &c. Flood and drought are the two great enemies 

 of paddy cultivation. The former is not hurtful unless the 

 plants are submerged for an excessive period, fluctuating 

 according to age and variety, and can be guarded against 

 by selection of land and timely sowing. On the other hand, 

 these floods do good by the fertilizing matter deposited on 

 the lands, and in every district I have found the best lands 

 are those liable to be inundated at frequent intervals. 

 When irrigation is provided, it is possible to choose the 

 proper time to put in the seed ; the cultivation is practically 

 independent of the weather to a great extent, and the 

 danger of drought reduced to a minimum. Caterpillars and 

 flies (or more properly speaking a description of bug) are 

 the next most important enemies of the paddy plant. 

 Caterpillars can generally be got rid of with a good supply 

 of water, and the damage by flies is, I believe, limited in 

 extent. I recently saw some fields, about which there were 

 loud complaints, and which were said to have suffered more 

 than had ever been experienced in that locality. Inquiry 

 showed the yield had been reduced by about 2-fold in 

 fields which ordinarily return 7 to 9-fold. In Madras an 

 allowance of 15 per cent, on the full crop of a favourable 



