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Account of esculent grains cultivated in the Guzerat
| N. 1. |
Coodra is a small grain chiefly cultivated about Dolca and Lymnee in the Guzerat, it is sown in a heavy soil at the depth of 4 inches as immediately after the first two rains have fallen or as soon as the earth is softened, its growth is very spontaneous and the produce likewise abundant. In the Dolca Purgunah, the inhabitants sow it on the higher fields with cotton out of the same receptacle without any regularity, and cut it about five inches from the ground in the beginning of November, this is about 4 months before they gather in the wool of their cotton The inhabitants of Lymnee generally sow this grain very thick in an open field from whence, when it has acquired the height of six inches they transplant it into their cotton plantation by small tufts at the distance of 2 feet from each other; by which means they safe to themself not only a great quantity of sees but likewise, as the plant acquires a greater vigour by being transplanted, the produce is proportionably more abundant than that in the other Purgunah, as also the grain more compleat. This grain serves the inhabitants for bread, which they simply grind betwixt two stones, than mixing it with some Assafœtida, of which they are remarkably fond, they form it into small cakes and bake it over a cowdung fire in earthen vessel made for that purpose. |
| N: 2: - 9. |
Wheat and Barley, are of a particular Species peculiar only to the Guzerat, commonly sown after the fields are cleared of Bagery and Toary, that is about the middle of November when the cold season sets in, and as there is no rain at that period, the grain is chiefly nourished by the dews, that likewise set in at the same period, and last during the whole state of vegetation that is during 4 months.
This Species of wheat and barley never exceeds the height of two feet, but the produce is nearly the same as that of the European species, they cut it at the height of six inches from the ground in the month of February and leave the remaining clumps for manure, The grain is then trodden by oxen, or horsses and, as there is pasturage for Cattle, every where in abundance, they cut the straw small and use it with a mixture of cowdung for fuel. After the wheat and barley is collected in, they leave commonly these fields for pasture, and after expiration |