[459] Proceedings of the South India Missionary Conference, 1858, p. 283.
[460] Reports connected with the duties of the Corps of Engineers of the Madras Presidency, 1846, vol. ii., p. 108. Report of Captain Bell, p. 117.
[461] There was formerly a peculiar system of collecting land revenue prevalent in Tanjore and part of Tinnevelly, called Oolungoo, by which the Government demand was dependent on the current price of grain. A standard grain assessment was fixed on each village, and also a standard rate according to which the grain demand was to be commuted into money; but if prices rose more than 10 per cent. above the standard commutation rate, or fell more than 5 per cent. below it, the Government, and not the cultivator, was to receive the profit and to bear the loss. The advantage of the system was that the Government participated in the benefit of high prices with the cultivator, while the latter was relieved from loss when prices were much depressed.—Mill's India in 1858, p. 119.
This Oolungoo system was introduced into Tanjore in 1825. It was found that the system was fertile in fraud and corruption, especially in connection with the determination of the annual price, and with claims for alleged deficiency of produce. In July, 1859, the Government resolved to abolish the Oolungoo system, and to substitute a fixed money demand, similar to that which prevails in all other districts. By 1860 this change had been completed, both in Tanjore and Tinnevelly.—Principal Measures of Sir Charles Trevelyan's Administration at Madras (Madras, 1860), p. 55.
[462] The largest temple in Southern India, next to that of Madura.
[463] From Kar, black, and ur a town, in Tamil.
[464] Hooker's Flora Indica, i. p. 124.
[465] Ibid., i. p. 133.
[466] Dr. Cleghorn states that the Seegoor forest has been much exhausted by unscrupulous contractors. "It is important," he adds, "that it should be allowed to recover, as it is the main source of supply to Ootacamund for housebuilding purposes." Captain Morgan has been placed in charge of it, and it is hoped that the sale of sandal and jungle-wood will cover the expenses, while the young teak is coming on for future supply, P. 36.
[467] The areca-palm requires a low moist situation, with rather a sandy soil, either under the bund of a tank, or in a position otherwise favourable for irrigation. The seeds are put into holes six feet apart, and the tree comes into bearing in about eight years. It yields fruit for fifty years, and, when in full bearing, produces 1½ lbs. of nuts.