jan. — mar. 1858.] the Travancore Backwater. 



217 



ration of Travancore is not favourable to the production of large 

 quantities of rice except in certain parts. Patches of cultivation 

 in the hollows between the undulating hills are met with far amid 

 the interior forests to the very base of the hills, but it is only in 

 level tracts like those near Allepey, and the Southern district of 

 Graneel and Calcaud that very extensive sheets of rice cultivation 

 occur. The rest of Travancore, in spite of its natural capabilities, 

 is still allowed to remain desert and uncultivated. Why are all 

 these fine lands permitted to exist in their primitive barrenness ? 

 With a noble water communication from one end of the country 

 to the other, with creeks and rivers pouring into this inland sea 

 from every side, yet no effort is made to take advantage of such 

 admirable facilities for the development of the natural resources of 

 the country. British enterprise is not wanting for the undertak- 

 ing under favorable circumstances, but until sufficient protection 

 is ensured to the speculator by the Native Government, Travan- 

 core must remain a sealed country in regard to trade and improve- 

 ment, when it may be hoped that a happier era will dawn upon the 

 people. General Cullen has proved by the successful establish- 

 ment of gardens at different elevations, (Vailey Makay and else- 

 where,) how well the cultivation of such products as the following 

 prosper, viz., Potatoes, wheat, coffee, sugar, nutmegs, cloves, cocoa 

 &c, all of which thrive and yield abundant produce. 



Allepey, Aulopolay, or Alapushe, as it has been variously named, 

 is the present commercial port of Travancore, and the principal 

 depot for salt, Cardamoms, Pepper, Teak-wood and other products 

 of the country. It is reached by a canal leading from the back- 

 water nearly due west, the length being about three miles. This 

 canal is entirely artificial, and is crossed by several bridges, facili- 

 tating trade and communication to and from the northern and 

 southern sides. Previous to entering the canal there is a very 

 deep basin, some 40 or 50 feet in depth, inhabited by alligators of 

 of enormous size, which may often be seen basking on the banks, 

 It was in this pool that at the beginning of this century the 

 reigning minister threw such hapless Europeans as chanced to fall 

 into his hands, first sewing them up alive in sacks, and then in- 

 dulging in the pastime of casting them into the deep waters to 



