DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.29302#0048
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convenient resource for meeting1 objections against a heavy increase of
assessment. If I thought the increase given hy the new measurement
was too great, the objector would usually be satisfied by the redaction
of this land to 2nd class ; whereas, if the reduction had been given in
the shape of an assessment expressly below rates, every other owner in
the same hamlet would have claimed a similar reduction.
Every husbandman has, besides bis cultivation and adjoining it,
a considerable area of grass land ; which for the whole ilaqa averages
two acres for every acre cultivated. The fields are closed to grazing
as soon as the autumn rains commence ; and the grass is reaped in
October and November. If there is more than can conveniently be
reaped and stacked, the balance is left standing and is cut as it is wanted
(for home use or sale) ; but the agriculturists are aware how much the
grass is injured by being allowed to stand in this way.
The cattle are fed mainly on this grass. The maize stalks are
also all fed to the cattle, as they are said to increase the milk. Wheat
straw is mostly neglected, only about half the straw or less is cut
with the ear. The balance is fired as it stands on the ground before
the field is ploughed for the next crop. A little of it is sold in our
cantonments, but the people will not give it to their own cattle.
The husbandry of the Kalka villages is different. They have
no grass fields. The Kul and Lehri are much the same, as the
same lands in the hills. But the Changar is cultivated on the two
years* course, yielding wheat and barley in the rabi, and mash in
the kbarif. This Changar is poor, stony land; but its produce is
marketable; and though the land is poor, it can pay a fair assessment.
To sum up. The conditions of the soil and of the climate are such
that cultivation of any but the poorest grains is impracticable, except
with the assistance of either irrigation or manure. Consequently, the
cultivator is in a peculiar degree dependent on his cattle, and these
again on the grass fields and grazing waste.
18. Superintendent Karm Chand made a few experiments with
the object of testing the produce ; but in my
«vf’rgeajieRPerim“lS “a a^ence lle WOTkc'J 0,1 6,10,1 Smal1 areas tb»t
the results are not entitled to confidence.
Hzce.—A crop of 180 square yards (four biswas) in Chaosha
Bigha = 900 square yards, was tested ; and gave a yleld at the late of
One maund kacha = 16 seers six maunds hacha per bigha, equal to 512
Pacca- seers pacca per acre. I do not think this result
is other than a fair average.
The rice grown is white rice called begami, and three varieties
of red rice called bagra, jinjan and zira. The great majority of the
crop is white rice ; though called begami (queen's rice), it is not so
good as what is known by the same name in Kangra.
Ginger.—A bigha tried in Katu yielded 54 maunds hacha or
864 seers, being six-fold of what had been planted (nine maunds)
It sold at 32 seers, (2 maunds hacha) per rupee, so the produce was
worth Rs. 27 per bigha. The crop is heavily manured and requires
timely rain or irrigation. The cultivators look for a yield of about
convenient resource for meeting1 objections against a heavy increase of
assessment. If I thought the increase given hy the new measurement
was too great, the objector would usually be satisfied by the redaction
of this land to 2nd class ; whereas, if the reduction had been given in
the shape of an assessment expressly below rates, every other owner in
the same hamlet would have claimed a similar reduction.
Every husbandman has, besides bis cultivation and adjoining it,
a considerable area of grass land ; which for the whole ilaqa averages
two acres for every acre cultivated. The fields are closed to grazing
as soon as the autumn rains commence ; and the grass is reaped in
October and November. If there is more than can conveniently be
reaped and stacked, the balance is left standing and is cut as it is wanted
(for home use or sale) ; but the agriculturists are aware how much the
grass is injured by being allowed to stand in this way.
The cattle are fed mainly on this grass. The maize stalks are
also all fed to the cattle, as they are said to increase the milk. Wheat
straw is mostly neglected, only about half the straw or less is cut
with the ear. The balance is fired as it stands on the ground before
the field is ploughed for the next crop. A little of it is sold in our
cantonments, but the people will not give it to their own cattle.
The husbandry of the Kalka villages is different. They have
no grass fields. The Kul and Lehri are much the same, as the
same lands in the hills. But the Changar is cultivated on the two
years* course, yielding wheat and barley in the rabi, and mash in
the kbarif. This Changar is poor, stony land; but its produce is
marketable; and though the land is poor, it can pay a fair assessment.
To sum up. The conditions of the soil and of the climate are such
that cultivation of any but the poorest grains is impracticable, except
with the assistance of either irrigation or manure. Consequently, the
cultivator is in a peculiar degree dependent on his cattle, and these
again on the grass fields and grazing waste.
18. Superintendent Karm Chand made a few experiments with
the object of testing the produce ; but in my
«vf’rgeajieRPerim“lS “a a^ence lle WOTkc'J 0,1 6,10,1 Smal1 areas tb»t
the results are not entitled to confidence.
Hzce.—A crop of 180 square yards (four biswas) in Chaosha
Bigha = 900 square yards, was tested ; and gave a yleld at the late of
One maund kacha = 16 seers six maunds hacha per bigha, equal to 512
Pacca- seers pacca per acre. I do not think this result
is other than a fair average.
The rice grown is white rice called begami, and three varieties
of red rice called bagra, jinjan and zira. The great majority of the
crop is white rice ; though called begami (queen's rice), it is not so
good as what is known by the same name in Kangra.
Ginger.—A bigha tried in Katu yielded 54 maunds hacha or
864 seers, being six-fold of what had been planted (nine maunds)
It sold at 32 seers, (2 maunds hacha) per rupee, so the produce was
worth Rs. 27 per bigha. The crop is heavily manured and requires
timely rain or irrigation. The cultivators look for a yield of about