Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924073057352).pdf/75

 PAR 67 extends over an area of 1,444 square miles, embracing 2,214 mauzas, with a population of 782,681 souls. In point of magnitude the Partabgarh district now stands eleventh of the twelve. General aspect,—The general aspect of the Partabgarh district is that of a richly wooded and fertile champaign country. The ordinary dead level is here and there relieved by gentle undulations, and in the vicinity of the rivers and rain streams by ravines and broken ground. The southern por- tion of the district in the more immediate neighbourhood of the Ganges is perhaps more densely wooded than other parts. In places may be seen unculturable úsar and reh impregnated plains. These, however, do not extend over any considerable area. For the most part rich and varied cultivation, with magnificent groves of mango, mahua, and other trees com bine to form a pleasing landscape, into which the neatly built villages and hamlets of the population enter with no small effect. Soil.—The soil of the district is light, but at the same time very fertile. The prevailing soil is known by the name of "dumat"_.e., two earths. It may be said to be argil and silica in thorough combination. Dumat degenerates into the poor sterile stuff known as “ bhúr," where the sand too largely preponderates over the mould. Such localities are the uplands near the Ganges, Sai, and Gumti. The stiff and rich loamy soil, styled "matiár," is in this district to be found, chiefly in the vicinity of large swamps or jhíls. In such places, where there is a sufficiently rapid evaporation of the rain water, magnificent crops of wheat and sugarcane may frequently be seen; but, unlike the ordinary soil of the district, considerable labour and strong cattle are required to prepare the land for the seed. Fertility.—The soil, though fertile, bears evidence of exhaustion through want of manure and fallow seasons. The latter condition has, I fear, ceased to be regarded as an essential to successful farming by the agricul- turist of this district. The root of the existing complaint, that the present yield is not equal to that of former times, lies in the fact that, under the native rule, a field was seldom tilled for more than two or three years in succession. In the third or fourth year, a plot of waste was broken up (on which a nominal rent only was assessed), while the old land was allowed to lie fallow. A succession of rich harvests was the consequence. Now, however, owing to the greatly increased number of the cultivators, and the proportionately enhanced demand for land, caused by the closing to the country of the outlets of military service, feudal retainership, and the many other occupations incidental to the native dynasty, competition steps in and prevents the resting of a single acre. With respect to manure, I think a growing appreciation of its value is discernible; at the same time it is far more difficult to procure than formerly. Water.- The water obtained from the wells is for the most part sweet and good. In several villages, however, it is found to be brackish and strongly impregnated with the saline properties of the circumjacent sali- ferous lands. It is in these villages that the finest and most luxuriant tobacco is grown, generally on old village sites. It is asserted, and I believe not without truth, that in certain wells in which the water is ordin-