MYSORE, CANARY, AND MALABAR. 
101 
v 
soil. When the rains begin to be heavy, the seed is sown broad- 
cast, and covered by the plough. The field is then smoothed with 
the Halivay , which is a harrow, or rather a large rake drawn by two 
bullocks, (see Fig. g .) Then, if sheep are to be had, a flock of 
them is repeatedly driven over the field, which is supposed to 
enable it to retain the moisture ; and for this purpose bullocks are 
used, when sheep cannot be procured. Next day, single furrows 
are drawn throughout the field, at the relative distance of six feet. 
In these is dropt the seed of either Avaray or Tovary, which are 
never cultivated by themselves ; nor is Ragy ever cultivated, with- 
out being mixed with drills of these leguminous plants. The seed 
of the Amray or Tovary is covered by the foot of the person who 
drops it into the furrow. Fifteen days afterwards, the Cuntay, or 
bullock-hoe, (see Fig. 10,) is drawn all over the field; which de- 
stroys every young plant that it touches, and brings the remainder 
into regular rows. On the 35th day the Cuntay is drawn again, at 
right angles to its former direction. On the 45th day it is some 
times drawn again; but, when the two former ones have suf- 
CHAPTER 
IL 
May 20, &c. 
hciently thinned the young corn, this third hoeing is not neces- 
sary. At the end of the second month, the weeds should be re- 
moved by a small iron instrument called Ujary (see Plate II. 
Fig, 5). Accoiding to the quantity of rain, the Ragy ripens in 
from three to four months. The Avaray and Tovary do nbt ripen 
till the seventh month. The reason of sowing these plants along with 
the Ragy seems to be, that the rains frequently fail, and then the 
Ragy dies altogether, or at least the crop is very scanty ; but in 
that case the leguminous plants resist the drought, and are ripened 
by the dews, which are strong in autumn. When the Ragy success, 
the leguminous plants are oppressed by it, and produce only the 
small return which is mentioned in the above list; but when the 
Ragy fails, they spread wonderfully, atid give a very considerable 
return. 
The crop of Ragy is by far the most important of any raised on Use of Ragy 
in diet. 
