The Monte Vista journal. (Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, Colo.) 1888-1921, 1908-07-25
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bengal IS an lueal country Tut TICc'
growing, because its vast alluvial
plains become annually flooded by the
heavy rainfall and the overlooking Of
its great rivers. Then the productive
ness Of rice Is simply amazing-the
hundred-fold is passed many times
over. A friend Of the writer counted
n stalks growing from one grain Of
seed: each OF these stalks would bear
from 100 to 200 grains Of rice: hence.
taking the average on each stalk at
$50 grains only. the productiveness In
that instance amounted to the grand
total OF 1850. OF course. 1t Is not
asserted that every grain Of seed bears
. similar number, but 1t is clear that.
where the conditions are favorable.
the productiveness is astonishing.
The complete agricultural kit Of a
Bengal peasant, which consists OF his
plow. the yoke which fits on the neck
Of his oxen and the short BAN.
boo ladder used to smooth the soil
over when plowed can be carried on
the mans shoulder. In our illustra.
lions We may obtain glimpse Of the
conditions under which the Bengal
peasant loves to wotk. He plows his
land when II IL actually under water.
and does his best to work up the soil
to the consistence Of mud. When
that stage IL reached the next opera
ton takes place. This Is to smooth
over the inequalities left by the pillow.
ing. and for this purpose the short
ladder above described n used. The
Implement. II we may call It such.
is drawn by the bullocks over the
muddy slush. while the driver himself
stands upon II to give the necessary
weight. In this attitude he presents
to the onlooker q very comical ap.
pearance. II 10. however. q very dirty
task: his oxen sink to their knees In
mud and water. and soon he and they
are heavily bespattered with siush.
When the inequalities OF the ground
have thus been leveled the field Ia
ready to receive the rice plants. Sow.
Ing the seed broadcast II rarely
adopted In Bengal. the more usual
method being nrst to raise the seed.
iings In nurseries and then transplant
them into the fields. Consequently. At
the very beginning Of the rains the
cuitivator prepares . corner In one
of his fields and sows his rice seed
thickiy In II. In such seed.plat the
rice terminates and grows to the de-
sired height for tranxplanting.
In the meanwhile the cultivator
goes on preparing his fields TO receive
hA ~.
attained the requisite height they are
carefully uprooted and made into
bundles; these are then carried to the
nclds, where both men and women
IRE employed 10 replant them. :
After hiA fields have all been plant.
ed, the labors Of the Bengal peasant
are comparatively light. Should rain
fall IN sufficient quantities. his chief
concern 10 to see that the embark.
mcnts between his Fields are secure.
These he must have to keep an the
water possible around the roots Of his
crop. Rice will grow and thrive IN
plenty of water. but will withsr and
die should the soil become dry.
Should the rains. however. keep on.
and the water In his fields sink lower
and lower and threaten 10 dry up A.
together. no words can describe the
anxiety Of the cuitivator: the shadow
Of ruin and famine may bc seen deep.
erins on his countenance day BY day.
How eagerly he scans the face Of the
sky. and prays to his gods for copious
showers!
Observing the drought. the rice
merchant n alive 10 possibilities: he
will study the weather forecasts. and