2U 



Statistical Report on tie Northern and [No. 38, 



is a tenure however which I have neglected to mention, called Pay- 

 pal, in which the cultivator, in consideration of the seed lent him 

 and the use of bullocks for his plough, gives up one-half of the 

 share of the produce left him by Government to his creditor, but 

 this tenure is in use only among the most indigent, and chiefly 

 among emigrants from other Sircars who are reduced to great po- 

 verty. Sometime previous to the fall of the rains in June the 

 Coonbees are solicited by the Plavildar or Patell to come forward 

 and make their arrangements for the ensuing season, that is for 

 the Poonass, Abee, and Rubbee crops, — the agreements for the Tu- 

 bee crop of rice and for another crop called Maghee, which is con- 

 fined to a few pulses, sown after the rice is reaped, are made at the 

 Dusserah. There is much chaffering and coaxing on the part of 

 the Government officials, and many just recriminations and com- 

 plaints on the part of the Ryots, with endless lying and falsehood 

 on both sides. The former talk of a decreasing revenue, and of 

 what the village used to yield, the latter urge they are ruined men 

 — they have been cheated by the Havildar, defrauded by the Put- 

 warree. The village carpenter will not make them ploughs, — they 

 have no money to purchase seed, or instruments. The Panchan- 

 gum (the almanack) holds out no good prospects, &c. Bargains 

 however are at last struck and the Pawn Suparfee handed round ; 

 the ryots next care is to get an advance from the Bunnyah, and if 

 he is known to be an industrious man, he effects a loan at two per 

 cent, a month, getting the Putwarree to be his security, but if he 

 is less known or more easily duped, he obtains a loan on terms 

 much less favourable from the Shylock whom he sues : not only is 

 the usual interest demanded, but he is required to give the pro- 

 duce that remains on his hands after harvest to the Bunnyah at a 

 price lower than the bazar rate. 



Advances are made to the Coonbees by the Government but 

 cautiously, and on terms somewhat. higher than are exacted by the 

 Bunnyah. When the Coonbee has lost his ploughing cattle an ad- 

 vance often rupees is given for the purchase of a pair of buffa- 

 loes, and double that sum for bullocks. This is called Tuccavee, 

 and includes advance for agricultural instruments, &c. If he has 

 no food, or the means of procuring it for himself and his family, 

 Poatgee, an advance of grain is given him, seed too is advanced, 

 and for all such money or food ; interest is charged at the *ate of 



