Indian Agriculture in its Physical Aspects. 49 
only where abundant irrigation from channels, streams and 
tanks is available. In Behar, and some other parts of Bengal, 
there are three rather than two crop seasons, a hhadoi or hot 
season intervening between the cold and the rainy seasons. 
Then it is that the indigo plant, sown in February, flourishes, 
and is gathered about the end of June or early in July. Sugar- 
cane, too, is planted in February, and grows on through the hot 
season, though needing abundant irrigation for its development, 
until the rains come and supply the natural moisture. 
Along with the rainfall, the soil must be taken as determin- 
ing also to a large extent the nature of tlie crops grown. 
Broadly speaking, India may be considered as divided into three 
distinct geological series ; the first or northern portion, which is 
one vast alluvial area and comprises the great Iiido-Gangetic 
plain ; the second, a central zone spreading over part of Bombay, 
Central India and the Central Provinces, the soil being known 
as the black cotton-soil ; and, thirdly, a rocky area comprising 
Madras and Southern India generally. Each division has its 
minor local distinctions ; but, while of the northern it may be 
said that it is a rich alluvium, quickly drying and needing 
replenishment by rain or irrigation from well or canal, the 
black cotton-soil is very retentive and holds ample moisture 
from the annual rainfall, to enable the sowing of winter crops 
in November, so that artificial irrigation is hardly, if at all, 
required. In the third or rocky zone the only way to pro- 
vide water is by storage tanks, or by channels led from rivers or 
streams, irrigation from wells being difficult. Thus, in the 
north may be seen regularly on the same holding the crops of 
both seasons, the one growing by the aid of well or canal irriga- 
tion, the other by means of the rainfall and the powerful heat. 
In the Central Provinces, on the contrary, are great stretches of 
cultivation of one and the same kind, in some districts the cold- 
season wheat and linseed, in others the I'ainy-season cotton and 
millets ; whilst in Soutliern India, as explained, the crops go on 
much the same all the year round, and are distinguished mainly 
by early and late sowings. 
Over individual areas, again, there will be enormous varia- 
tions in the amount of rainfall, each having its correspondence 
in the crops grown and the method of cultivation pursued. 
Thus, crops which depend on a heavy rainfall and a damp 
climate flourish only in certain parts — Assam, for instance, with 
its rainfall of from 60 to 160 inches and more, produces tea 
luxuriantly ; Behar gives the indigo cultivation ; and rice belongs 
to Bunnah, Eastern Bengal and tlie western coasts of Bombay. 
Other crops, such as wheat, require a drier climate, though water 
VOL. II. T. S. — 5 E 
