A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH 
292 
CHAPTER Then dig the garden, and form it into proper beds, leaving a space 
of about twenty feet between them and the hedge. The sketch 
July 8, kc. (Figure 33) will assist the imagination in understanding the descrip- 
tion of the beds. From the main channel for conducting the water 
to the garden (l), draw others (2) at right angles, and distant 22 
cubits. Between every two of these, to drain off the superfluous 
water, draw others (3.3) about a cubit wide, and deeper than the 
former. The garden is thus divided into rows ten cubits in width, 
having on one side an elevated channel (2) for supplying it with 
water, and on the other side a deep canal (3), to carry off what is 
superfluous. These rows (4) are divided into beds, six cubits wide 
(5) , by cuts made from the deep canals, and ending in cul de sacs 
(6) , which carry off' the water into their principals. Each of these 
beds is divided into two parts (7), by a narrow channel coming from 
those which bring the^upply of water. Each division of a bed, 
therefore, has on one side a channel (8) to supply it with water, and 
on the other a canal ((>), to carry off what is superfluous ; and it is 
surrounded by a narrow bank, about six inches high (9), which ex- 
cludes the water that flows through the channels : within these 
little banks the divisions of the beds are carefully levelled. In the 
center of each division is then formed a row of small holes, distant 
from each other one cubit; and in Panshya (17th December — 14th 
January) in every hole are put two cuttings of the Betel-leaf vine, 
each two cubits long. The middle of each cutting is pushed down, 
and slightly covered with earth ; while the four ends project, and 
form an equal number of young plants, which for the first eighteen 
months are allowed to climb upon dry sticks, that are put in for 
the purpose. For the first week after being planted, the shoots, 
, must be watered twice a day with pots ; for another week once a 
day, and until the end of the second month once in three days. A 
small drill is then made across each division of the beds, and between 
every two holes in each ; and in these drills are planted rows of 
the seeds of the Agashay * or Aschynomone grand flora ; Nugay , or 
