AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

DRUGS AND NARCOTICS

Tobacco: Tobacco, tambakhu, occupied 8,946 acres in 1890-91. Since then the area under this crop has considerably reduced. In 1965-66, it was grown over 745 acres only. The following statement shows the variation in the total acreage under this crop in the district since 1880-81 and the table No. 10 gives taluka-wise acreage and out-turn of this crop between 1961-62 and 1965-66 and 1971-72:—

Tobacco gives good return if planted in sandy friable soil and river valleys enriched with flood-loam. Usually it is sown in June in a nursery, and, when large enough, the seedlings are planted out. Only one or two weedings are required. At the second weeding the lower shoots are picked off, and when the plants are fully grown, the tops and blossoms are also picked to allow a thick and large growth of leaves. When the leaves begin to wither, the stalks are cut near the root and are spread to dry. When the leaves are dry, water in which surad grass, probably the spikenard grass, has been soaked is sprinkled over them for two or three days. The leaves and sometimes the stalks are tied in small bundles and packed in a pit at the bottom of which grass or jowar stalks have been laid. They are covered with grass and earth and are kept in the pit for about seven days. When taken out of the pit the leaves are again dried and are then ready for sale.

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