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[Page 10]
The following plants are cultivated in the Guzerat, and the Mahratta country for dyes, and timber.
N.1. Opanus, or blackwood, of Brodra Purgunah
The seeds of this tree is planted in the beginning of the rains at the depth of 3 inches, and about 15 feet from each other. The Tree grows to an emence size and thickness and is considered as the heavyest wood in the country. After the expiration of 14 year which is the time that the planters allow this Tree to grow: they cut it down quit close to the ground, and bury both the stem and the thickest branches in to marshy places where it acquires in the space of two years a deep, black colour, not unlike the black ebony: in which state it is exported to a great advantage to Surat, and the Malabar coast.
The soil of all these plantations consist of a heavy black clay. and the grows intersown, and interplanted with Bagery, Joary, and yams.
N. 2 Indigo seeds from Dolea Purgunah.
This species differs entierly from that cultivated in the Carnbay, and Jumboseer Teritory, and it is yearly sown afresh in the beginning of the rains, either by itself, or in the cotton plantations. The growth of this species is very spontaneous and commonly produces 3 crops a year. the first crop is cut directly after the rains have ceased, the second about November, and the third in the beginning of the hot season. They do not make use of any manure but commonly chuse those fields for it, which have layn two seasons for pasturage, which they clear of grass by setting fire to it a few days before the rains set in; and which are in some degree manured by the Alkaline ashes that is produced by the heigh grass; which the subsequent rains drain in to the crevices and lighten the heavy black clay. They assist the second crop by watering it from such ponds, and reservoirs as I have above observed, but the third is chiefly nourished by the heavy dews that fall at that period.
N. 3. Cassumba a specie of carthamus, is cultivated in Dolea Purgunah for a scarlet dye. The seeds is sown in the beginning of the rains into narrow furrows, the furrows about 20 inches from each other. The plant begins to flower immediately after the rains, and continues so without cessation till late in the hot season. The dye is extracted of the flower, which they gather in as it opens.
The soil consist of a light clay, which they manure in the same manner as the inhabitants do their grounds in the Lymree districts and as the plant requires great moisture, they water it almost daily from different wells which are purposely constructed in the midst of the plantation for the convenience of watering.