DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2375#0400
MYSORE, CANARA, AND MALABAR.
337
the haul soil called Darray ; and, in fact, the soil of the first quality
is that usually employed, though sometimes the tobacco is planted
on the best fields of the second quality. In the three months following
the vernal equinox, the field ought, if possible, to be ploughed ten
times ; but some of these ploughing^ are often neglected. After
the 4th or 5th time, sheep and cattle must for some nights be kept
on the field for manure. During the last fifteen days of the second
month after midsummer, small holes are made throughout the
field. They are formed with the hand, and disposed in rows
distant from each other l~ cubit; and in every hole a young
tobacco plant is set. This being the rainy season, the tobacco
requires no Watering, unless during the first ten days from its
having been transplanted there should happen to be two
succesive fair days. In this case, on the second fair day, water
must be given with a pot. On the 15th day a little dung is put
into each hole, and the field is hoed with the Cunt ay. Every
fourth or fifth day, until the tobacco is cut, this is repeated,
so as to keep the soil open and well pulverized. At the end of
a month and a half, the top shoots of the plants are pinched
off, and every eight or ten days this is repeated ; so that six or
seven leaves only are permitted to remain on each stem. In the
month preceding the shortest day, it is fit for cutting. The stems
are cut about four or five inches from the ground, and are then split
lengthwise ; so that each portion has three or four leaves. These
half stems are strung upon a line, which is passed through their
root ends ; and then for twenty days they are spread out to the sun
and air. Every third clay they are turned, and they must be
covered with mats should there happen to be rain ; but at this
season that seldom comes. The tobacco is then taken into the
house, put into a heap, and turned four or five times, with an in-
terval of three days between each time. It is then fit for sale, and
by the merchants is made up into bundles, which include the stems.
It is sold by weight; and on an average the farmer gets one Sultamt
CHAPTER
XIX.
May 10.
337
the haul soil called Darray ; and, in fact, the soil of the first quality
is that usually employed, though sometimes the tobacco is planted
on the best fields of the second quality. In the three months following
the vernal equinox, the field ought, if possible, to be ploughed ten
times ; but some of these ploughing^ are often neglected. After
the 4th or 5th time, sheep and cattle must for some nights be kept
on the field for manure. During the last fifteen days of the second
month after midsummer, small holes are made throughout the
field. They are formed with the hand, and disposed in rows
distant from each other l~ cubit; and in every hole a young
tobacco plant is set. This being the rainy season, the tobacco
requires no Watering, unless during the first ten days from its
having been transplanted there should happen to be two
succesive fair days. In this case, on the second fair day, water
must be given with a pot. On the 15th day a little dung is put
into each hole, and the field is hoed with the Cunt ay. Every
fourth or fifth day, until the tobacco is cut, this is repeated,
so as to keep the soil open and well pulverized. At the end of
a month and a half, the top shoots of the plants are pinched
off, and every eight or ten days this is repeated ; so that six or
seven leaves only are permitted to remain on each stem. In the
month preceding the shortest day, it is fit for cutting. The stems
are cut about four or five inches from the ground, and are then split
lengthwise ; so that each portion has three or four leaves. These
half stems are strung upon a line, which is passed through their
root ends ; and then for twenty days they are spread out to the sun
and air. Every third clay they are turned, and they must be
covered with mats should there happen to be rain ; but at this
season that seldom comes. The tobacco is then taken into the
house, put into a heap, and turned four or five times, with an in-
terval of three days between each time. It is then fit for sale, and
by the merchants is made up into bundles, which include the stems.
It is sold by weight; and on an average the farmer gets one Sultamt
CHAPTER
XIX.
May 10.