OCT. — mar. 1859-60.] neighbourhood of Cuddapah. 



297 



the condition that for the first four years the rent should be small, 

 Rupees 1-4 per^acre. I have strongly recommended their project 

 to the" Collector ; for their cultivation will not interfere with the 

 Timber ; and special encouragement should be given to such a rare 

 instance of enterprize and energy on the part of a Ryot. 



8. This project deserves to be viewed from another point. I 

 have mentioned that the valley is 2,300 feet above the Sea 

 Though within 17 miles, in a straight line, from the town of Cud- 

 dapah, the climate is almost as bracing as that of Bangalore. In 

 my tent the Thermometer ranged from 45° to 69° during the 24 

 hours. This was towards the end of January, I have made most 

 particular enquiries on the subject, and every one assures me that 

 Fever is "altogether unknown there, throughout the whole year. I 

 cannot but think that the place deserves to be better known. A 

 Road to connect it with Cuddapah might be easily traced, and 

 cheaply made. That such a climate could be brought within two 

 hour's ride of the hottest station in South India is a fact worth 

 knowing. 



9. If it were on this ground alone, the proposal of the Ryots 

 to make a Tank in the valley deserves strong support and en- 

 couragement. They will have to import labour from the plains for 

 the purpose ; and as the Coolies will be afterwards required for 

 cultivation, a Settlement will at once be formed. A small Bazaar 

 will thus be.ready on the spot ; and the chief difficulty in the way 

 of forming a Sanitarium station will be averted. 



10. I should mention, that the range of Hills goes by two 

 names among the Natives. At some points it is called the Poli- 

 condahs, and at others the Yerramullahs. The former is the more 

 common name. The valley in which they wish to construct a Tank 

 is called by them Yenamullah. 



