G9

AGRICULTURE.

of the next monsoon water is let into the fields, and the
ground when softened is ploughed with a simple native
plough drawn by a pair of buffaloes. It is then worked with
large hoes (mamoties) till it forms a creamy mud, on which
the seed is sown, and when the seed has sprouted the water
is let into the field and the plants are grown under irrigation
until nearly ripe, when the water supply is cut off and the

WINNOWING PADDY.

crop finally ripens on the dry fields. The various kinds of
paddy require from three to six months to ripen from the
time of sowing to that of reaping. The amount of irrigation
water needed by these varies very materially, Along the
western and southern coasts and in the Central Province
the period of growth is from three and a half to six months.