DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2374#0472
ftaMMUMMHM
" r-*^TRS
^ that;
MYSORE, CANARA, AND MALABAR.
°nOp0]y
uld cont*
£,3 J"
459
Mr. Wye's statement is that by which the revenues are at present CHAPTER
xir
collected, and was formed several years ago. If accurate, these v^l^/
details would show that every article of plantation was advancing Dec. 20,21.
in the districts under Mr. Wye, except the Betel-nut, which grows
chiefly in the interior parts of the country, where the disturbances
have prevailed; and this confirms my opinion, that it is owing to
these disturbances chiefly, and not to the taxes, that the plantations
in many parts of Malabar are on the decrease.
This seems to be a country well fitted by nature for rearing Cattle and
r it
cattle ; but no place, in fact, rears worse, or fewer. The hills over ° er%"
a great part of Malabar are clear of wood or bushes, and in the
rainy season produce a thick coat of grass, which, as it ripens for-
ward the beginning of the fair season, and is then about^a cubit
high, is fit for making hay. By the natives this is entirely neg-
lected. Some of the grasses are indeed very coarse; but Mr. Wye
has made good hay from one of the species, which I take to be
Dr. Roxburgh's Ischcemum gcminatum. It grows very commonly,
and Avith a little pains might be made universal. At present, there
being the greatest abundance of grass, the cattle of Malabar are in
better condition than any that I have seen in India; but, as that
will soon wither up from the drought, I 'am told, that for three
months before the commencement of the rainy season their condi-
tion will be deplorable. On the present system, no more cattle can
be kept than what can be supported from the beginning of January
•until the end of May upon the straw of the second or smallest crop
of rice. The straw of the first crop, owing to its being cut in the
rainy season, cannot be preserved. If hay could be collected, or if
on the higher Parian lands Ragy (Cynosurus corocanus) could be
cultivated, merely for the straw, a great many more cattle might
be kept, and the increased quantity of manure would be an immense
advantage to the farmer.
Evei-y where in the interior parts of Malabar a prodigious incon- Want of mar-
venience is felt, from the want of Bazars or markets. A little '
" r-*^TRS
^ that;
MYSORE, CANARA, AND MALABAR.
°nOp0]y
uld cont*
£,3 J"
459
Mr. Wye's statement is that by which the revenues are at present CHAPTER
xir
collected, and was formed several years ago. If accurate, these v^l^/
details would show that every article of plantation was advancing Dec. 20,21.
in the districts under Mr. Wye, except the Betel-nut, which grows
chiefly in the interior parts of the country, where the disturbances
have prevailed; and this confirms my opinion, that it is owing to
these disturbances chiefly, and not to the taxes, that the plantations
in many parts of Malabar are on the decrease.
This seems to be a country well fitted by nature for rearing Cattle and
r it
cattle ; but no place, in fact, rears worse, or fewer. The hills over ° er%"
a great part of Malabar are clear of wood or bushes, and in the
rainy season produce a thick coat of grass, which, as it ripens for-
ward the beginning of the fair season, and is then about^a cubit
high, is fit for making hay. By the natives this is entirely neg-
lected. Some of the grasses are indeed very coarse; but Mr. Wye
has made good hay from one of the species, which I take to be
Dr. Roxburgh's Ischcemum gcminatum. It grows very commonly,
and Avith a little pains might be made universal. At present, there
being the greatest abundance of grass, the cattle of Malabar are in
better condition than any that I have seen in India; but, as that
will soon wither up from the drought, I 'am told, that for three
months before the commencement of the rainy season their condi-
tion will be deplorable. On the present system, no more cattle can
be kept than what can be supported from the beginning of January
•until the end of May upon the straw of the second or smallest crop
of rice. The straw of the first crop, owing to its being cut in the
rainy season, cannot be preserved. If hay could be collected, or if
on the higher Parian lands Ragy (Cynosurus corocanus) could be
cultivated, merely for the straw, a great many more cattle might
be kept, and the increased quantity of manure would be an immense
advantage to the farmer.
Evei-y where in the interior parts of Malabar a prodigious incon- Want of mar-
venience is felt, from the want of Bazars or markets. A little '