396 



On the Cultivation of Wheat 



[No. 



argument against the power of the lands to produce good and 

 healthy wheat : the first essential to this result being the sup- 

 ply of fresh seed. It is grown in the provinces of Gundapoor, 

 Bheer, Auckeed Puttam, Bathree, Punbunny, Nandair, and Gun- 

 gakhair, thrcDugh all of which the Godavery has its course. It is 

 also grown in Balaghat and Payenghat, in Aurungabad, Purin- 

 dah, and generally in all lands which bear the Eubbee crops, 

 and the cultivation could be increased to any extent along both 

 banks of the river, were a market opened for the produce. It 

 can be produced at a cheap rate, and the Godavery may afford 

 great facilities for its transport. 



In Guntoor wheat is cultivated in only four villages in the 

 Prettipaud Talook. The ordinary annual produce is about 50 

 candies or 2,000 bushels, and is mostly consumed in the district. 

 Wheat crops being hazardous compared with other crops, the 

 ryots are not incKned to extend its cultivation. 



Nellore produces but a small quantity, varying from 6,800 lbs 

 to 2,400 lbs. per annum, grown in the talook of Ongole, not suffi- 

 cient for the consumption of the district : the rest being brought 

 down by the Binjaries. 



In Bellary the total quantity of land fit for wheat cultivation 

 is 14,600 acres ; of which only 4,056 or 28 per cent, are under 

 this tillage. The causes of this are 



1st. The insufficiently remunerative profit procurable for this 

 produce. 



2d. The prevalence of a disease peculiar to this grain, which is 

 generally attended with loss to the cultivator. 



3d. The straw of wheat not being generally used as forage for 

 cattle, and 



4th. The greater expense incurred, and labour required, in pre- 

 paring the soil, and tending this plant to its maturity, and time 

 of harvesting compared with other produce. Wheat raised on a 

 fertile dry soil requires repeated falls of rain (frequently not re- 

 ceived) to attain maturity. 



Two kinds of wheat are produced in this district Salakee gothoo" 

 7nah, and Java gothoomah. The former is better, and its flour 

 darker in colour than the latter. The annual produce is estimated 

 at 162 garce, all of which is consumed in the district^ together with 



