Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924024153987).pdf/496

 FYZ

418 the same, but there was no kodo

and

relief

works were opened in



maize at 16

all

sers

was the cheapest

grain,

three districts.

—

The accompanying table exhibits Deficient rainfall cause of famine. the rainfalls for the last two years of drought, 1868 and 1873, each of which was followed, in 1869 and 1874, respectively, by considerable scarcity. the distribution It will be noted that the entire rainfall was not scanty was capricious and unusual, and there was no rain during individual months

in which

it is

much needed

for agricultural purposes.

There are four rainfalls, each of which must be propitious to secure a good harvest. First, the June rains, the former rains as they may be called. In 1873 they were only one inch, quite insnfScient to moisten the earth for the plough and to water the early rice. Second, the main monsoon, which commences in July and ends at the commencement of October this was sufficient in both years, but the fall in September 1873 was only 7-3 inches, and it ceased too soon, viz., on September 15th. Thirdly, the latter or October rains, which are required to water the late rice and moisten the land for the winter ploughing, were wholly deficient in both years. Fourth, the January-February rains, which were wholly wanting in 1869, and in 1874 were less than an inch.

—



Speaking broadly, then, the rains commenced well in 1868, badly in 1873 they ended with a heavy fall in 1868, but too soon in 1873 they were scanty for the last month and ended still earlier, in September so far 1873 was much worse than 1868 then there was absolutely no rain in either year from October till January, but in February there was no rain in 1869, and almost an inch in 1874.







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