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INDIA

fortresses have at one time or another in history occupied
the tops of these hills, and each has its own tale to
tell of the days when security was only to be found in
such strongholds. But between the hills very wide
stretches of land are cultivated—wheat, pulse, opium,
cotton, and millet being grown much in the same proportion
 as in the north-west. Sugar-cane is also largely
produced. The soil consists largely of a species of black
loam called “cotton” soil, which prevails throughout the
districts of Central India and the Central Provinces. This
s0il is undermined by flood in the rainy season, and
broken into innumerable holes and pitfalls; the surface
water during the rains usually finding a readier method
of drainage straight through the friable soil than by collecting
 in rivulets and streams, and finally making its way
to the rivers. The hills are almost invariably clothed in
a thick tangle of acacia jungle, amidst which are many
forest-trees, the well-known “pipal” and “banian” being
conspicuous ; with teak, sal, mahogany, tamarind, &amp;c., in
fair abundance. Central India, flanked, as it is, by the
sands of Rajputana on one side and the dense forestgrowth
 of the Central Provinces on the other, partially
assumes the physical characteristics of both. It is not a
forest-clad country, but there are many square miles of
forest land to be found in it. The great cultivated flats
of the Central India tableland are broken and intersected
here and there with deep ravines and gorges (locally
called “ Kho”), which, by reason of their comparative
isolation form most admirable game preserves. The big
game shooting of Central India has always been famous
amongst sportsmen, but of late years the chiefs of the
native states which form the province or “agency” have
adopted methods of strict game preservation which places
it beyond the reach of all but a few favoured officials.
Writing with some experience of the fascination of the
hills and jungles of Central India we can say that no part of
India contains more charming country, or is possessed of a
more perfect climate than is to be found amongst those wild
stretches of forest and plain during the cold weather months.