Buchanan: Betel Leaf Cultivation

Betel Leaf Cultivation

Betel leaf vines were grown on red stony soil on a slope, and irrigated from tanks or wells using a yatam.

Cultivation 

·     the ground was dug between April 23rd and May 23rd and formed into beds six cubits wide, and separated by trenches three fourths of a cubit broad, and half a cubit deep

·     betel vine cuttings, each a cubit in length, were planted in a row in the centre of each trench at four finger-breadths from each other

·     in the absence of rain, they were lightly watered five times a day, and covered with branches to protect them from the sun

·       a little fresh red soil, mixed with small stones, was put in the trench bottoms at the end of the first and second months

·     at the end of the third month, a row of branches of Pongary, Nuriga (Moringa), and Agashay, was planted on each side of every trench at intervals of six to eight cubits. The branches grew into trees to support the vines.

·       at the same time, a little more earth and some dung was put into the trenches

·      more earth and dung was given in the sixth month, and young betel vines were tied to bamboos arranged horizontally along the rows of branches

·       a channel in the middle of every second bed was filled with water every other day

·       plants were watered with a tay pallay 

·       vines were tied to bamboos and trees, and every month a little dung and red earth was applied to their roots

·       leaves were ready for sale when the vines were a year old

·    the vines were manured once in two months, and watered once in two days in dry weather

·       a row of plantain trees were grown in the centre of each bed that had no channels

·     the plantation was generally surrounded by a hedge, and between this fence and the vines, capsicums and other vegetables were planted

·       betel-vines died every four years, and were immediately replaced 

·    in 18 or 20 years, the soil, having been exhausted, near the trees was removed, and replaced with fresh red earth

·      trees lasted for 50 to 60 years. The plantation was abandoned when they began to die, and a new one was formed in another place.

·     if the garden was watered from a reservoir, the cultivator, each time that he planted, paid the proprietor 10 gold Fanams, or 2. 1/2 Rupees for every 1000 vines, but nothing in the three intermediate years. If the water was supplied from a well, the rent was half this amount

Note: cubit is approximately 18 inches

Side note: Many Christian betel-leaf cultivators were said to have escaped being taken captive by Tipu because of this occupation