36 JOURNAL, R. A. S. (CEYLON). [ToL. II., PART L 



processes to which the ground is subjected. The land having 

 been grazed over by cattle since the last crop was taken, water 

 is allowed to run over its baked surface for several weeks. 

 When by this means it has become somewhat softened, it is 

 hoed over in a manner which breaks the surface into clods, the 

 sod coverings of which are turned over, and, water being once 

 more suffered to run over it, the grasses are rotted and the 

 whole field is now soft to a considerable depth. In this 

 state buffalo ploughs, implements of the most primitive 

 construction, consisting of a short sharp point of wood 

 pressed against the soil, are used for breaking up the lumps of 

 earth which remain. There can be no doubt, however, that the 

 tramping of the huge animals which are tethered to the plough 

 effects far more than the instrument itself in reducing the sur- 

 face of the field to the consistency of mud. Besides the plough, 

 in the low-country a square board, on which the driver con* 

 tinually jumps, is dragged by buffaloes over the fields for this 

 purpose, and men in the glory of a Sinhalese — mud up to the 

 middle— work it about with scrapers and mamoties to produce 

 an even consistence to the mud, and an even surface to receive 

 the seed. This is sown broadcast, and the green spire gene- 

 rally makes its appearance the second day after. For three 

 days after throwing in the seed no water is turned into the 

 fields, and then for one day only just to keep the ground moist. 

 Whilst the plant is gaining a hold upon the ground, a little 

 water is allowed to flow into the fields, and a gentle supply of 

 water kept on every alternate day during daylight until the 

 paddy has three leaves. After this stage of its growth the 

 water is allowed to flow two days at a time, alternately with two 

 days when no new water is allowed to pass. This process is 

 continued about a month, after which the water is turned on 

 for about ten days at a time, and then stopped for a day or two 

 until it is ripe. The system described applies more par- 

 ticularly to deep swamps j but where the fields are of a dry 



