Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924073057352).pdf/364

 330 SIT In addition to these there are of course the “ Kachhiána," or vegetables and other similar crops cultivated by the Kachhis and Muráos who are found in most villages. Tobacco. The tobacco grown and manufactured at Biswán is much sought after, and is exported to other districts. Poppy. The poppy is cultivated under arrangements with the local Opium Agent, whose headquarters are in Sitapur. Cotton-Cotton is grown, but to an inconsiderable extent, and only to supply local needs. Indigo and silk.-There are no indigo factories or silk filature in the district, and the mulberry tree is unknown, and almost the same may be said of flax, which is grown very sparingly. The following extracts are mostly taken from the Settlement Report. Agricultural operations and crops. In addition to what has been already stated, it may be observed that in Sitapur the main crops are wheat, barley, gram, kodo, juár, urd, and tobacco. This last crop is its specialty, that of Biswán especially is celebrated; 18,000 ; acres are devoted to this cultivation, above a quarter of the whole area in Oudh, 69,000 acres, so applied. The best Biswán tobacco sells at three and a half sers for the rupee, ordinary tobacco at eight seers for the rupee. But the price has fallen slightly this year; at the town itself it is sold for from Rs. 3 to Rs.7 per maund after being kept and dried for a year. The price has fallen from recent rates which were from Rs. 8 to Rs. 11 per maund, but is still higher than the prices current in the Nawabi, Rs. 3 to Rs. 6 per maund. The reason of this is that the sale has expanded with the opening of roads and Biswán tobacco which formerly all weat to Luck- now, now is transported to Bareilly and Rámpur. Halwáis on the spot pre- pore the tobacco with sugar and spices brought from Lucknow, the fra. grance of Biswán tobacco is ascribed to the water. Akbarpur in pargana Mahmudabad is most celebrated for its produce. There is no secret in the preparation. The crop is watered about five times. A good crop is reckoned three maunds to the local bígha, but half that is above the average. The maund used in the tobacco trade is 56 sers or exactly one hundred weight; it is supposed to be three local maunds; a very good crop then will be 20 maunds or rather 1,620lbs. per acre, and 810lbs. about an average ; its value will be about Rs. 52, at Rs. 7 per hundred weight; rent will be Rs. 18, cost of irrigation with a dhenkli watering four biswas Rs. 18, manure Rs. 3, ploughing Rs. 6, dressing Rs. 3,-total, Rs. 48 per acre. Crops.-- The cultivated produce consists of the following staples :- I. The Kharíf or autumn crops. Ricc (Oryza Sativa). Bajra (Penicillar ia spicata), Kodo (Paspalum Sero biculatum). Til (Sesamum iodicum). Sanwan (uicur frumcntaceum). Urd or Másh (Phaseolus radiatus). Mindwa (Eleusiue coracina). Mang (Phaseolus Mungo). Kákun (Panicum italicuin). Moth (Phaseolus aconitifolius). Jusr large and small (Tea Mays and Sor- ghum Vulgare),