DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2375#0310
504
A JOURNEY" FROM MADRAS THROUGH
Face of the
country.
CHAPTER the channel of which is very little, if at all, wider than that of either
of the parent streams: but its water is of course more copious.
The water at this season is sunk very deep in the channel; so that
the forming dams for irrigation would be very expensive.
The country on the west side of the river is in general level, but
is interspersed with hills. The whole is exceedingly bare. Near the
river are many small villages, each provided with a round tower,
near which the houses are crowded for protection. The cultivation
near these villages is pretty considerable, and at present is confined
almost wholly to the dry grains, about two thirds Ragy and Tovary,
and one third Jola and Harulu. The other crops are of little impor-
tance. On the higher lands, near the hills, there is no cultivation.
The soil in many places there is indeed very poor; but in others it
is a fine red earth, reckoned particularly favourable for Ragy; and,
if there were people, would be cultivated for that grain. The
greater part of the tanks have gone to decay, so that there is very
little wet land ; and, even when the country was in its best state of
cultivation, irrigation seems to have been much neglected. The
Kilidl family, to whom this part of the country belonged, from
having lived in a district where artificial watering was not requi-
site, seem not to have been sensible of its advantages. The Amildar
says, that by constructing reservoirs much dry-field might be con-
verted into rice ground. Below Sahasiva-hully, the river taking a
bend to the south-west, I crossed it at the angle, and ascended the
right bank to that village. Its name signifies Along with Siva, as it
is supposed to be a place where that deity resided some time toge-
ther with his wife. It has a small mud fort, and about a hundred
houses. In this open part of the country there are very few fences,
which in many points of view is a great loss. The crops here rarely
fail from want of rain, and the epidemic disease among cattle is
seldom so general as to the eastward. Tigers seem to be more de-
structive here than in the woods. The want of game makes them
bold, and they frequently carry away the inhabitants from their beds.
A JOURNEY" FROM MADRAS THROUGH
Face of the
country.
CHAPTER the channel of which is very little, if at all, wider than that of either
of the parent streams: but its water is of course more copious.
The water at this season is sunk very deep in the channel; so that
the forming dams for irrigation would be very expensive.
The country on the west side of the river is in general level, but
is interspersed with hills. The whole is exceedingly bare. Near the
river are many small villages, each provided with a round tower,
near which the houses are crowded for protection. The cultivation
near these villages is pretty considerable, and at present is confined
almost wholly to the dry grains, about two thirds Ragy and Tovary,
and one third Jola and Harulu. The other crops are of little impor-
tance. On the higher lands, near the hills, there is no cultivation.
The soil in many places there is indeed very poor; but in others it
is a fine red earth, reckoned particularly favourable for Ragy; and,
if there were people, would be cultivated for that grain. The
greater part of the tanks have gone to decay, so that there is very
little wet land ; and, even when the country was in its best state of
cultivation, irrigation seems to have been much neglected. The
Kilidl family, to whom this part of the country belonged, from
having lived in a district where artificial watering was not requi-
site, seem not to have been sensible of its advantages. The Amildar
says, that by constructing reservoirs much dry-field might be con-
verted into rice ground. Below Sahasiva-hully, the river taking a
bend to the south-west, I crossed it at the angle, and ascended the
right bank to that village. Its name signifies Along with Siva, as it
is supposed to be a place where that deity resided some time toge-
ther with his wife. It has a small mud fort, and about a hundred
houses. In this open part of the country there are very few fences,
which in many points of view is a great loss. The crops here rarely
fail from want of rain, and the epidemic disease among cattle is
seldom so general as to the eastward. Tigers seem to be more de-
structive here than in the woods. The want of game makes them
bold, and they frequently carry away the inhabitants from their beds.