Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924073057352).pdf/97

 PAR 89 or dauri, has no cattle, or wishes to work more láos than he bas cattle for. The rate of remuneration in such cases is a daily dole of a kachcha panseri (equivalent to one ser fourteen chhatáks) of some coarse grain such as barley, juár, or bájra. During the irrigating season, the same set of men or women will work from early morning before sunrise to nightfall for this pittance. The wage of a worker at the dogla or dauri is higher, and is generally one kachcha panseri and a half (two sers eight chhatáks), as the labour is far more severe. Capabilities of irrigation from pondsandwells.—The area of land, which on an average may be irrigated in one day by either of the methods above described, varies inversely according to the distance from the water supply. It may be generally assumed, that about two standard bíghas can be irri- gated in oue day by one relief of two men working one dogla More than one relief to the dogla is the exception in this district. Where two reliefs are available, and the distance from the water moderate, from two and a half to two and three-fourths bighas can be supplied in a day. These results are of course affected in a diminishing ratio hy the number of riks. One láo of a masonry well, when worked by human labour, irri- gates on an average six biswas standard measure. When bullocks are attached, the average is about three and a half biswas. In the case of kachcha wells these results may be slightly modified. There is, however, very little actual difference. The quality of the soil affects the irrigated area in proportion to its absorbent properties. A larger surface of clay can be irrigated in a day than of loam, and similarly a larger amount of loam than of sand. Cost of wells.—The average cost of constructing a masonry well is Rs. 250. The cost, of course, varies in proportion to the depth of water. The depth in the wells in the Partahgarh district ranges from eleven to eighty feet. Water is nearer the surface in the Patti pargana ; less so in parganas Bihár and Rámpur; and is, as a rule, deepest in Partabgarh. Kachcha and agári velle.--Kachcha wells are impracticable in locali- ties where there is a substratum of white sand, which causes the sides to fall in. These spots are, however, exceptional, and, as a rule, the land in the vicinity is very sandy and sterile. The kachcha well can be sunk at a cost of from 4 to 15 rupees according to circumstances, this latter amount is exceptional. Should the well be required for drinking purposes ouly, the cost is much less, and may be put down at about one-half. The irri- gation well has to be dug much deeper, and in many places the sides must be protected by rús fascines, or as they are termed by the natives, " bin " or "rangarh." There is a well also, which is supported by large wooden segments, or circular bricks, and which is called agári.” The conversion of a kachcha well into an agári entails an additional cost on the former of from Rs. 5 to Rs. 10. "Agári” wells are not, however, very common, except wbere, owing to the sandy nature of the soil, they are more the rule than the exception. Extended well-irrigation since annexation and since revised assessment. -I have before recorded that 3,146 masonry wells have been constructed 12