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[Page 4]
No.5. Callacharyka, paddy is black salt marshy rice.
This species of rice is peculiar to salt marshes, like the rest of salt marshy plants in India with which the inhabitants occupy these districts which are monthly owerflown by the high springs and tides, and where no other grain is easily propagated it is sown at first into large level fields and when it has acquired the height of six inches it is transplanted in tufts amongst the cotton plantation, not unlike the grain under N 1.
This species of rice has no limited time for sowing, for I have met with districts where the inhabitants transplanted it the whole year round, as the first ripened, and was collected in.
I have not observed in this Purgunah that they made use of any manure, neither as I am informed have they occasion for any, for all these districts which are situated near the lakes and sea, are enriched both by the remaining fish and other ingredients which the tides and freshes leave behind - when they retire.
The grain is not so fine as that of the other species which is nourished by fresh water, however, as no other grain will grow on these fields, the labour bestowed on is compensated in a adequate degree, and the inhabitants are never in want of bread, though it happens that their neighbours are often distressed for it when there is a deficiency of rain in the country.
No. 6 Tall or Sesamum is sown in the beginning of the rains promiscuously very thick: as soon the ground is loosened, the inhabitants have then no further care than to gather it, which they perform by cutting it close to the ground in the beginning of November. From the seeds they extract a sweet oil which serves them chiefly for burning, as also in some Purgunahs as an addition to their dishes and common food.
They occupy generally these grounds where no other grain will easily thrive, as declivity of hills and where there is but little water.
Following grains as Moong, Thuer, Moth, Orood, Bagery and Toary, are sown in the beginning of the rains in to small furrow, as likewise in the cotton country, intermixed either in the same lines with the cotton or intersewn in the intermediate space. Moth, and Orood begins to ripen in September, and it is chiefly apropriated both for human food also for horses.
Moong, and Thuer, ripen in the latter end of October and is likewise used as human food, and the straw for black cattle.
I have met with the above grain almost in every soil, but have found that a sandy is the most eligiblest for Bagery.
N 14. Paddy, or white rice, it is sown likewise in the beginning of the rains into flat fields, and transplanted in tufts amongst the cotton shrubs which have a low situation, and water in a sufficient degree. The best soil for this species I would recommend of a heavy clay.