Page:Madras Journal of Literature and Science, series 1, volume 6 (1837).djvu/407

1837.] than a foot in depth. It is divided into a better and worse kind, according as the proportion of grey calcarious earth be more or less to the quantity of stones and gravel. It commonly lets from a rupee and a quarter to a rupee and a half, and is cultivated with different kinds of oil plants.

As we approach the banks of the Krishna, the country lies before us one extensive plain to the south-east and north-west, whilst the ridges of hills on the north and south are barely visible and at a distance. The banks of the river, which are deep and shelving, are composed of black earth with mixed sand. The greater part of the soil on the north or left bank is of this description, but that on the right or south bank is more gravelly.

From the Krishna river at Yervei, to the Ghatparba at Argul, the country undulates, and presents here and there hilly ranges of broken basalt. Some parts of it consist of extensive plains covered by a little stunted grass, serving as pasture to numerous flocks of antelopes, where only a few patches of scanty cultivation may be seen about the villages, and nothing can be expected in the way of improvement when the poorness of the soil, and the want of water, are inseparable obstacles to all attempts at cultivation.

On the banks of the Ghatparba the hills of Padshapur became distinctly visible, and have a beautiful green appearance from being covered by thick jungle to the top, announcing at once the great difference of the country we have now approached from that we have left behind.

The greatest length of the hills appears to be from east to west, but the fine valleys, surrounded by them, open to the north and south. It is in this direction, also, that the Ghatparba flows to form the falls of Gokauk, which will be noticed after having described the appearance of the country through which our route lay. The valleys between the hills are very fertile and highly cultivated. Many of the fields have been reclaimed from a state of jungle waste by cutting down and burning the brushwood; and much more in this way remains to be done, but can only be performed by those who have capital, and to whom, therefore, liberal encouragements should be held out. The soil is light and gravelly, but capable of producing rich crops of sealu and tur.

Near Belgaum the country again becomes undulating, and the low sloping hills which here diversify the landscape, are covered by a deep stratum of black earth to within a few yards of their summits.