242 



Statistics of the 



[No. 38, 



Agriculture. 



. . There are many circumstances by which to account 



Agriculture. J . 



for the present rude condition of Indian husbandry, 



and those well acquainted with all its bearings, attribute, and truly 

 too, the major part of its rudeness to the faulty frame work of the 

 Indian social system. Take for instance the non-indulgence of ani- 

 mal diet, as an example, and we perceive what disadvantages the 

 Ryot labors under, deprived as he is, of those benefits resulting from 

 rearing stock, without whose aid, he is not in a position to develop 

 to the fullest extent, the capabilities of the land, nor restore it to an 

 average degree of fertility when exhausted ; but far beyond this, is 

 the universal poverty that exists, and apathy of the holders of land ; 

 these help to fill up the measure of the Ryot's miseries: however in- 

 telligent he may be, he is never in a position to employ his wits to 

 his own benefit, and labouring on for others, his tillage is performed 

 in the careless manner, we so often have to witness. 



The principal cultivated lands in the Sircar paying tax to Govern- 

 ment, are those brought to perfection either by rain or dews ; such 

 as are irrigated, being only about the 24th part. The Zeraet lands 

 yield for the most part, two crops of the coarser grains annually ; 

 lands reserved for corn being some times kept fallow, during the khu- 

 reef. It is not usual to disturb the soil by ploughing, excepting at 

 intervals of some years. The bullock hoe answering every purpose 

 of preparing for seed : one of the objections against ploughing, is, 

 that it would interfere with the compact condition of the sub-soil, 

 wherein the roots of the plant find protection ; the Koonbees under 

 usual circumstances, when ploughing is requisite, are never seen en- 

 tering the soil deeply, this may possibly be hurtful in more ways 

 than by loosening the compact sub-soil, for the basaltic earth brought 

 to the surface would be crude, and have to be exposed for sometime 

 to the influence of the elements, before it yielded its specific virtues. 

 In ploughing, ridges are never formed, it being an object to retain, 

 rather than drain away moisture ; the furrows are laid in the same 

 manner as practised in Europe, keeping them as straight as can be 

 managed, turning in a circular manner at the end of each furrow, 

 and returning back alongside, the one just formed ; laying off the 

 head lands at the close. The Koonbee yokes his cattle at sunrise, 

 and works till 11 and from 2 till sunset; lands are ploughed up 



