Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924073057352).pdf/77

 PAR 69 The accompanying table exhibits the rainfall for the last two years of drought, 1868 and 1873. It will be noted that the entire rainfall was not scanty, the distribution was capricious and unusual, and there was no rain during the individual months, in which it is much needed for agricultu- ral 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, there was under a quarter of an inch, not enough 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 beginning of October. This was sufficient in both years, but the fall in September, 1873, was only 6.6 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 ploughings; these were wholly deficient in both years Fourthly, the January-February rains; which were wholly wanting in 1869, and in 1874 were under half an inch. Speaking broadly, then the rains commenced well in 1868, badly in 1873. They ended with a good fall in 1868, but too soon; in 1873 they were scanty for the last month, and ended still carlier in September. So far 1873 was much worse than 1868; then there was absolutely no rain in either year from October till January. In February, there was no rain in 1869, and not quite half an inch in 1874 - 1868, 1873. P. 1.4 +91 Rainfall from June 1st to October 1st from October 1st to December 31st in June in September in October Date of rain commencing of raio ending Rain in January-February of ensuing year ») 29-4 00 3.2 9-7 0 0 June 15th. September 23rd o'o 28.7 O‘0 02 6-6 0.0 June 21st. Sept. 13th 04 Natural drainage.-The large admixture of sand in the soil of this district favours a rapid absorption of moisture. At the same time, a large share of the superabundant water is carried off by rain-streams, some of which, when swollen, assume formidable dimensions, and acquire a very considerable velocity. Thus the district may be said to possess an excellent natural drainage, which no doubt exerts highly favourable influence on its general salubrity. Prevalent diseases.--Of purely endemic diseases, intermittent fever, skin diseases, and ophthalmia are perhaps the most common. In the cold season of 1868-1869, the district suffered from an epidemic of small-pox, which was immediately followed by a severe and general outbreak of cholera. These epidemics, if they did not originate in, were doubtless rendered more virulent by, the death and distress, which resulted from the total failure of the autumn harvest of 1868, and the partial failure of the spring crops of 1869. The intermittent fever above alluded to is most prevalent at the close of the rainy season, and generally disappears with the thoroughly cool weather and westerly winds of November, While attributable to malaria, the disease is doubtless kept alive by debi-