Buchanan, Francis: A Journey from Madras through the countries of Mysore, Canara and Malabar ... (Band 1) (London, 1807)

§96

A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH

Wheat.

If_

CHAPTER for making opium, and in three months the seed is ripe. It is not
injured by extracting the opium ; which operation is performed by
the gardeners, who sell the produce to the drug-merchant. In six
weeks the radishes are fit for pulling, and in three months the Cos-
sumba begins to flower. As the flowers begin to decay, the flowerets
(flosculi) are pulled out by the hand from the common cup (Pe-
rianthum commune), exposed to the sun till dry, and then preserved
in pots ; when they are fit for being sold to the dyers. This opera-
tion does not prevent the seeds from ripening ; and in the cookery
of the natives a decoction of them is much used.

After the Cossumba has been collected, the same ground may be
cultivated either with wheat or with Garden Ragy.

The wheat (Triticum monococcum) in this climate is very liable to
be blighted; and even when it succeeds, its produce is not more
than one half of that of Paddy: but as one half of this last is husk, the
consumable produce of wheat and rice is not very different. Tippoo
was at great pains to increase this kind of cultivation ; and, as an
encouragement, sent seed to be distributed in different places.
Here the quantity might yet be greatly increased ; as much of the
higher lands, now cultivated for rice, are fit for wheat. The ground
is sometimes ploughed five times ; and sometimes dug with the hoe
called Col Kudali to the depth of one cubit, which is reckoned pre-
ferable. In Jyaishtha (24th May—22d June) the seed is sown broad-
cast, and covered with the hoe. The channels and squares are then
formed, as for the poppies ; and the ground is smoothed with the
hand, and dunged ; while such of the seed, as may happen to be
above ground, is pushed down with the finger. In forty-five days
the field must be watered nine times. It is then weeded w-ith the
instrument called IVuravary (Fig. 30.); after which one watering
in six days suffices. It ripens in three months, is cut, tied up in
small sheaves, and stacked for four days. It is then dried one day
in the sun, and thrashed out by beating the sheaves against a log of