1848.] 



Tlie Neilyherru Moimtams, 



35 



would proceed by slow fermentation, and by continually adding to 

 the heap or forming new ones, every village would have ready for 

 use at the time of sowing, which is as soon as the frosts have ceased, 

 a large stock of the very best and richest manure, instead of the small 

 quantity of almost useless stuft* which they now employ. I believe 

 it has been ascertained in England that this system of covering in 

 the layers of manure with soil, adds 50 per cent, to its value, both 

 because the gaseous matter is retained thereb}-, and because, by its 

 action, the earth laid on becomes impregnated with ammoniacal and 

 other salts, and forms an adjunct to the dung when worked up with 

 it. It is not therefore too much to say that by the introduction of a 

 better system of preparing manure, or rather by the introduction of 

 a system ^Yhere none now prevails, the produce of the lands cultivat- 

 ed by the Hill tribes would be increased by 50 to 100 per cent., and 

 it would moreover enable them to bring more land under the plough, 

 and avert the necessity which they find, or consider to exist, for al- 

 lowing their corn lands to lie fallow^ 2 or 3 years for 1 year of crop. 

 Indolence combined with apathy, is, however, the prime cause of their 

 deficient system of agriculture; for, I firmly believe, that were fine 

 manure heaps prepared in this way for their use, they would, avari- 

 cious as they are, prefer letting a field, capable, if sufficient ma- 

 nure were applied, of producing a crop of wheat, remain fallow 

 through the year, to carrying the manure to it if it lay at the distance 

 of a mile or so off. 



No carts employed on They never use carts to carry manure to their 

 fields or to bring produce home, every thing- 

 being carried on their heads, although, in many parts of the Hills, 

 the features of the ground would admit of the light bandy of the 

 country being employed very advantageously. Such an innovation 

 would however never be dreamed of. Thus it is that this fine 

 district, capable of being turned to such great account, is pervert- 

 ed in its use, and undeveloped in its resources : grains, which can 

 be produced in almost any soil and in the sultry climate of the plains, 

 raised on its lands because they require no manure, or but little, to 

 nourish them, and because their culture, and future management in- 

 volve no great labour or trouble to the holders of the soil. A strik- 



Native emigrants from ^'^S Contrast in respect of agricultural industry, 

 ^tSu" ih^r ^ ^esi^e to improve, is presented by the sys- 



Burghers. p^-gued by the emigrant nati^ es fi oai the 



