Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924073057345).pdf/25

 HAR 17 id 1 1. . . ALE ... 3. I. 522 11 400 CHAPTER II. AGRICULTURE, COMMERCE. Crops- Agricultural statistics--Prices-Droughts-Failstorms-Food of the people-Fish --Manufacture-Trade-Commerce-Railway traffic-Fairs-Roads and cominunica- tions-Weights and measures-Inicrest. In all points connected with the condition of the people, the size of farms, the houses, clothing, agricultural implements, wages of labourers, of coolies, of artizans, crops, times of sowing and scaping, rent, &e, the Lucknow and Kheri district accounts may be consulted. The official retums of crop areas are apparently incorrect; they are as follows in the revenue report for 1872 Staple. Acreage. Wheat 814,182 Rica 74,630 Other edible grains 898,650 Oileceds 17,560 Sugar 23,30G Cotton 13,040 Opium Indigo 1,422 Fibrea 6,480 Tobacco 15,260 Vegetables 24,762 1,329,764 The total area under crop in the year of survey was 844,560 acres, nor is it likely that much land has been brought under the plough in recent years. If so, even allowing for dufasli crops, the arca in the above table must be exaggerated. Further, the table exhibits Hardoi as the greatest wheat-producing district in Oudh, although, according to the soil returns already quoted, it has a very large proportion of sandy soil which is un- fitted for growing whcat. Hardoi produces very little rice, and that only of the common kinds, transplantation is not applied, and fine ricc lands are often allowed to lic fallow. This is probably owing to the excep- tional dryness of the district. In Bilgrám, Mallanwán, and Saudíla cul. tivation has attained a high pitch, and the rents paid by the Kachhis for the potato and yam land near the towns reach Rs. 50 per acre. The latest official returns of rents are not trustworthy ; they mention sugarcane and cotton lands as renting at Rs. 6-8-0 and 5-2-0 per acre, which is under the truth. The ordinary crops and trees of Kheri as described under that district are found in Hardoi ; the large gardon grounds of the latter district, 24,762 acres, are sown largely with pepper ; the groves consist of excellent mango and jámun trees; ajwain is grown near the Ganges, and kusum or safflower is sown on the borders of the cereal crops. Descriptions of the above and of their uses are subjoinea. Capsicum annuum (Mirch).- This is a native of South America. There are several varieties of it, distinguished by the shape of the fruit . Cayenne pepper is the produce of many of the smaller species of capsicum, the fruits being dried and pounded small, and mixed with salt. When gathered and eaten fresh, they are excellent promoters of digestion and are 3 «