On the Conditions of Wlieat-Gi'owhig in India. 15 
Having briefly touclied upon some of the larger general 
questions of the Indian wheat trade, we may tui-n to matters of 
a more specific character, by endeavouring to deal with some 
of the leading features of wheat-cultivation as practised in the 
various provinces of India. In doing so we shall follow a more 
or less geographical sequence. Commencing in the extreme 
north we shall discuss the Panjab wheat, then that of Sind, of 
Central India, of Bombay, of the Central Provinces, of the North- 
West Provinces, of Berar, of Hyderabad, of Mysore, of Madras, 
and conclude our account with Bengal, Assam, and Buima. The 
systems of cultivation pursued, the nature of the soils, and the 
facilities of transport, are so dissimilar that it becomes impossible 
to speak of India collectively. So far as the space at disposal 
will admit of, we shall present a brief abstract of the main features 
of the wheat of each province. 
Climatic Peculiarities. — A line drawn from about Bombay to 
Patna would approximately divide India into its two primary 
agricultural areas. The North- Western half, isolated by the 
line indicated, has during the autumn, winter, and part of the 
spring months a climate like that of Northern Europe ; and 
during summer, a dry tropical climate. The extremes of dry 
heat and sharp cold which it experiences give to this division a 
rich, temperate, annual vegetation during two-thirds of the year, 
but preclude the growth of luxuriant arborescent jungles, since 
few trees or bushes can endure the extremes of climate. During 
the summer large expanses of this region appear, therefore, like 
deserts. Indeed, so deficient is the rainfall in immense portions 
of the Panjab, for examjjie, that while they possess rich fertile 
soils, they are uncultivated from want of water. 
The South-Eastern division, on the other hand, has a more . 
or less tropical climate all the year round, and, particularly in 
the more eastern section, is remarkably humid. The Northern 
division has, in fact, a stunted vegetation, more like that of 
Europe, and possesses graceful herbs, with small flowers ; while 
the Southern has an overgrown appearance, with large flowers. 
These types are presei-ved in both regions, even when, by ascend- 
ing into higher altitudes, temperate or even Arctic climates are 
reached. 
But there are two other considerations which have to be 
placed before the reader, in order to complete this picture of the 
climatic peculiarities of India. The sea influence gives a modi- 
fication, which may be said to cany the South-Eastern type 
from Madras round Cape Comorin, and up the Western Ghats, 
to Bombay. A belt of land from the sea-shore along this line 
possesses the warm moist features of the Eastern division of 
India; but, passing inland, the great tableland of India is 
