38 Statistical Account of the 



whom takes charge of the field allotted to him for that one 

 crop, (of course it frequently does happen that a peasant 

 cultivates the same field during several successive years.) 

 When the grain has been threshed and the Government share 

 deducted, the remainder is divided into four equal shares; — 

 thus: 



Proprietor; Cattle; Seed-corn; Cultivator. 



In general, the landlord provides the cattle and seed-corn ; 

 the peasant feeding the former as long as they are employed 

 on the ground. 



In most cases no particular arrangement is made regarding 

 the straw. Any one who pleases may take it. In fact, owing 

 to the bad system pursued in reaping, one half or more of it is 

 left in the field as stubble. 



Unless either the large proprietors can be induced to farm 

 their own lands, or the natives can be induced to combine to 

 some extent in all objects for the mutual benefit of the 

 inhabitants of each village; and until leases for lengthened 

 periods are adopted, the peasant has no encouragement in 

 endeavouring to improve his farm, and it is utterly hopeless to 

 expect an y great improvement in this branch of agriculture. 



Such then are some of those circumstances which tend to 

 act injuriously on agriculture. There still remains to be 

 noticed the train of evils arising from the manner in which 

 the grain tax is levied; a system which, however defective it 

 may be, cannot be easily dispensed with. This subject is, 

 however, one of too great importance to be treated of in this 

 abstract. 



Much land being so situated that it cannot be irrigated, is 

 reserved for the cultivation of what are called fine grains, 

 such as Kooraken, Minaeree, Sesame, &c. 



The system pursued is most destructive. The same piece 

 of ground being sown only once in five, ten, or fifteen 

 years, and the land allowed to become covered with wood in 

 the intervals. The ashes of this brushwood form the only 

 „ manure employed. The natural effects of a plan by which 



