226 JOUKXAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



and Daulatabad would recover its lost place and fame in the fruit markets 

 of the Deccan. 



Since submitting the foregoing memorandum on grape culture in 

 Daulatabad the Government have been pleased to grant an advance of 

 money to the extent of ^176 to such persons as have begun the culti- 

 vation of grapes. 



I have dwelt fully on the various causes that have brought the 

 industry to its present deplorable condition, laying special stress on the 

 state of tankSj reservoirs, and water channels. The inhabitants of 

 Daulatabad appreciate this difficulty to such an extent that they have 

 submitted several petitions prapng for a grant for restoring a reservoir, 

 and expressing their own willingness to contribute towards its expense 

 from their own small means and by personal labour. I brought their 

 request to the special notice of the Subadar and the local board with a 

 recommendation that such works undertaken by the villagers themselves 

 should be encouraged by the authorities by every means. The matter, 

 I regret to observe, has not yet been dealt with. 



Since preparing my memorandum 1 have studied the present state of 

 grape cultivation in Western India, Mysore, and Cashmere. The question 

 of successful vine growing has been under the consideration of the 

 Durbars of Mysore and Cashmere for some time. It has been proved 

 beyond doubt that certain diseases have attacked vineyards in India in 

 the same manner as they did in Italy and France, causing considerable 

 damage to the industry. Again, such varieties as were imported on many 

 occasions have deteriorated in quality considerably, as they are apt to do 

 in a hot climate. Mr. Faridunji Jamshedji assures me, from his wide 

 knowledge of the district, that such has undoubtedly been the case here. 

 Under these circumstances it would be well to keep in view the facts 

 above mentioned. If Government are pleased to decide in favom* of 

 reviving the industry which the climate and past associations have con- 

 nected with the district of Aurangabad, it is highly advisable that 

 measures should be adopted to suppress disease, and to introduce fresh 

 and suitable varieties from other countries. The Eoyal Horticultuml 

 Society of London has preserved the better kinds of grape vine that 

 flourished in India, which they are reintroducing into the country. 

 Again, the Durbars of Mysore and Cashmere have imported into their 

 gardens choice varieties from distant countries, and have made vine 

 cultivation successful in India. 



It is for this reason that I have been advocating the restoration of 

 the Government gardens of Aurangabad. But it is absolutely necessary 

 that at least one garden should be kept up-to-date and well equipped. 



Over £4:10 is annually allotted from the local rates to gardens 

 which can hardly be termed productive, useful, or decorative. One half 

 of this sum properly spent, with a small occasional grant from Govern- 

 ment, might serve the purpose and provide nurseries for the extension of 

 fruit cultivation. 



