THE CULTIVATION OF GRAPES IN DAULATABA D. 225 



wells in Daulatabad, besides a large artificial lake. But they have insulHcient 

 water. Most of the old conduits have gone out of use for want of 

 repairs, and the water running through them goes to waste. The 

 Government could soon renovate these, and at inconsiderable cost. 



We must now deal with the third cause of decline, viz. " want of 

 capital." Grape growers are, as a rule, extremely poor. One reason is 

 their thriftlessness. Being very extravagant on occasions of marriage 

 and death, they are unable to buy even the implements necessary with 

 their own money. They must needs, therefore, go to the Sahukar 

 for help, and once they are in the hands of the latter, they are 

 done for. The Sahukar generally prefers to have arable fields for his 

 money, because he can realise the crops so much easier at harvest time. 

 Besides, the cultivation of vines involves much care in the way of 

 irrigation, manuring, pruning, and gathering for despatch to market at 

 the proper time, and he is not endued with the patience and know- 

 ledge necessary for all this. So whenever he gets hold of a vine- 

 yard he immediately sets about turning it into an arable field. Govern- 

 ment might make some provision against this sort of thing happening. 

 The money advances sanctioned by Government are no doubt sufficient. 

 But the vine growers do not seem to get the benefit of them, though I 

 cannot see why they should not receive them as well as other cultivators. 



Three things are necessary for growing figs, grapes, peaches, mulberries, 

 &c., namely : good soil, good facilities for irrigation, and enough capital 

 with which to work. 



Nearly 300 square miles of land, between 2,000 and 3,000 feet above 

 the sea-level, around Aurangabad, comprising Daulatabad, Khuldabad, 

 Chikalthana, Kannad, Badnapur, Pimpri, &c., are admirably suited 

 for the cultivation of fruit trees and plants, as well as for breeding 

 silkworms. About sixteen years ago a missionary carried on sericulture 

 with the greatest success, and the cultivation of coffee was equally 

 successful. 



The sources of irrigation are also not wanting if the Government only 

 knew where to find them. There are twenty-two watercourses around 

 Aurangabad. Many of them, such as the Falsi Watercourse, could be 

 utilised for this purpose if a few thousand rupees were spent over them. 

 Near Daulatabad there is a large reservoir as well as a watercourse. If they 

 were repaired, they would be of immense service to the gardens in the 

 vicinity. Between Daulatabad and Khuldabad there are four Talabs 

 (reservoirs) — the Roza and Kazipura Reservoirs — out of repair. They 

 could also be restored. All this work could be done economically if 

 entrusted to the Tahsildars. The Public Works Department, however, 

 would be likely to raise the cost unnecessarily. 



The financial condition of the proprietors of gardens could be improved 

 in various ways. A number of wells should be repaired for their special 

 benefit, and cuttings of figs and vines supplied to them gratis to be 

 planted in their gardens. Besides this, advances of money may be 

 given to those who are likely to use them for the improvement of their 

 gardens. And there are, I am sure, many such men. 



If these steps were taken, there is not the slightest doubt that the 

 revival of the old fruit industry would be an accomplished fact ere long, 



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