44 



JOURNAL R. A. S. (CEYLOK). [VOL. II., PART IL 



April and July, ripens in August or September, giving the 

 I r ala harvest (o3(^ ©©Jss©). Those kinds of paddy known 

 as Ma-vi (®3f5), Ilankalaiyan (Q&nkjaftsnujsBi), Hunarawdla 

 (rj£&>dE>3Q) are only sown for the Maha harvest. Most, if not 

 all of the rest, may be used for either crop* 



The natives here, as elsewhere, make their tanks too shallow, 

 the embankments unequal in height throughout, and the par- 

 tition mounds too numerous. To shew the evil effects of these 

 mistakes, and the best means by which they are to be obviated, 

 would require more room than can be allowed in this sketch. 



The farm system is that which has been the curse of India 

 from time immemorial; and it prevails, I believe, in every part 

 of the Island, It is liable to slight modifications, but its 

 general features may be thus described. 



No landed proprietor farms his own ground. Twice annually 

 he comes to an agreement with a number of peasants, each of 

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

 crop.* 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 course it frequently happens that a peasant cultivates the same field 

 during several successive years. 



