1849.] 



in the Madras Presidency, 



399 



more than 22 garce. He also gives it as liis opinion that these hills 

 " are capable of fnrnishing for. export to Europe from 4 to 500,000 

 quarters of wheat of a quality far superior to that which is at 

 present raised and at a cost sufficiently low to admit of large pro- 

 fits being realized by the grower, even when the price is so low as 

 65 shillings the quarter." The Collector is however of opinion 

 that tliis district can never be made a wheat growing one ; his 

 reasons for forming this opinion are however not stated. 



The climate of Madras is unfavourable to its successful cultiva» 

 tion. It grows luxuriantly, and produces seed, in the gardens 

 of the Horticultural Society, but only, when treated with care 

 and attention : for in general a mere empty ear is formed. It is 

 believed that the Shedvaroy Hills, having an elevation of 5,000 feet, 

 and a temperature, during the months of cultivation, of from 52*^ 

 to 68^^, are better adapted for success in this cultivation. Large 

 quantities are grown there for domestic consumption. Probably a 

 much nearer limit may be found in the range of hills 88 miles 

 N. N. "W. from Madras, of which Combaconum Droog is the high- 

 est, being about 2,250 feet above the level of the sea. Wheat is one 

 of the rubbee or late crops in the vallies of the Kishna and Tum- 

 bubudra at an elevation of probably not more than 1,800 feet ; the 

 temperature varying from 45 to 80*^ in the cold weather. In the 

 Caraccas lat. 10^ 3^ wheat is successfully cultivated at an eleva- 

 tion of 1,800 feet ; and in the Isle of France lat. 20^, where the 

 temperature rises to 78*^ and 80*^ wheat ripens on the coast. If 

 therefore no local causes act unfavourably, the experiment might 

 be made witli advantage on Combaconimi Droog, the soil, it 

 is said, being favourable. A register of the temperature of these 

 hills would be sufficient to decide the question, as wheat can 

 only be successfully cultivated under a mean temperature of 67^ 

 or 68^. 



Captain Dobbs, Superintendent of the Chittle Droog division, 

 forwarded to Dr. Wight two samples of wheat, the produce of one 

 of his talooks. It was grown on^the black cotton soil common in 

 that part of Mysore. It is stated to be of very good quality but 

 not nearly equal to English grown -wheat. The samples were of 

 two kinds, the " flinty" and " soft," the former being more highly 

 charged with gluten than the latter. 



