cor n . — Harvest. 105 



pulling, them up or cutting them) together with white 

 thread and then invoke Ihtddha, the- Uuli ami the 

 Heirarrhy, exclaiming also "aa hhttchuhrr mo nee 

 \Wemft"; come come, come here, mother come ! 

 They theu ( rise and again invoke Hie same triad, 

 No fire must he taken nut of a house for (he ensuing 

 3 da vs. The nine hunches on the fourth day an out 

 and placed in the granary as consecrated first-fruits. 



The Saursams after their pooja, or as they call it 

 poocha, or its accompanying ottering* to Me Fho 

 Sap, select one hundred and eight pad die stalks, this 

 being the unrulier told by Boodhist priests on their 

 rosary in memory or honor of the Holy Foot of their 

 deified saint hefore noticed. These stalks are then 

 fashioned totp the figure <>f a female, much in the 

 same manner as the harvest maiden is formed in same 

 northern counties of Britain. This figure is clothed 

 and being theu considered the representative of 

 i\le l*ho S ip, offerings are made to it of rice 

 and fruits, and it is duly consecrated hy five 

 JinddhU priesis. It is afterwards placed ahove the 

 new grain in the granary, and five stones are laid on 

 it to prevent its escape. When am grain is to he 

 heaten out, this image is also brought forth and fold 

 what quantity is required. 



The harvest home in this Province is celebrated by 

 games, theatricals and other festivities, several of 

 which seem of Hindoo origin. Uneh mot* y , after 

 favorable crops, is thus spent, and the Madras jugglers 

 continue to get a share of jt. 



Buffalo fights once formed here, the grand harvest- 

 home amusement, and they were conducted u-jth 

 much decorum—the presence of the poliee being 

 scarcely « anted. 



A ring of about one hundred and fifty ynnUin dia- 

 meter, was surrounded by high stands or seafToluW 



N ° 



