Krishi Tatwa- translation

About this text

Introductory notes

Krishi Tatwa was a monthly journal published by the Paikpara Nursery in Calcutta. The journal focused on news and practices pertaining to agriculture and farming. The Journal was edited by Bipradas Mukhopadhyay and was published by Nrityagopal Chattopadhyay on behalf of the Paikpara Nursery. The present volume of the journal was published in 1883.

The following excerpts have been made from two articles. One of the articles suggest farming methods of enhancing the sizes of vegetables. The other article discusses on the traditional "Khonar Bochon" or "Khona's maxims". These sayings popular among the rural population are ascribed to Khona- a semi-historical female astrologer. The sayings present an interesting picture of the traditional agricultural cycle and farming methods of the Bengal.

Selection details

The following excerpts have been made from two articles. One of the articles suggest farming methods of enhancing the sizes of vegetables. The other article discusses on the traditional "Khonar Bochon" or "Khona's maxims". These sayings popular among the rural population are ascribed to Khona- a semi-historical female astrologer. The sayings present an interesting picture of the traditional agricultural cycle and farming methods of the Bengal.

[Page 24]

1. Ways of enhancing the size of vegetables.

To improve the cultivation of vegetables it is essential to improve the condition of the land. Most of the cultivators are aware that the greater portion of land is pighted, better the production of vegetables. Before cultivating it is important to enhance the fertility of the land through application of fertilizers. The size of vegetables do not grow unless the land in which it is cultivated is fertile. [Page 25] We have observed that application of thick layer fertilizers help is enhancing the productivity of the land. However, such process is expensive for most of the cultivators. But if this process is followed, that particular land will not be requiring fertilizers for the next two or three years.

Enhancing the size of the vegetables is an important skill of a cultivator. The size of the vegetable determines its price. All the factors of cultivation have to be followed for achieving the right size. High quality seeds alone may not produce vegetables of the right size. Similarly, application of fertilizer alone is not enough either. Planting high quality seeds, application of fertilizer at right amount and pyting the land at the right time are essential factors of proper cultivation. A cultivator must be careful that these steps are rightly followed during the cultivation process.

The land must be ploughed in deeply while cultivating vegetables. A land ploughed upto 8 or 9 fingers deep is good for cultivating vegetables. A land not ploughed well is not conducive for the growth of trees. When the growth of trees suffer, the growth of crops also bound to suffer. Roots of the plant or tree going deep into the earth, is helpful for proper growth of the trees.

[Page 26]

Cabbage, radish and other vegetables are needed to be sown at some distance. On a square plot of land, a scaffold must be prepared for these plants. To protect the plants from the sweltering heat of the summer and monsoon. the scaffold must be covered with a mat. Such timely protection will help in enhancing the size of the crops.

The bigger size of the crop not only ensures higher price, but also uplifts the mood of the cultivator. The climate and land of the country is such that, vegetables of any part of the world can be cultivated here. We observe that some cultivators could produce vegetables of bigger size from certain quality of seeds, while other cultivators fail to do so.

Many cultivators offer excess fertilizer with the hope of enhancing the size of vegetables. Greater amount of fertilizer is not proportional to bigger size of the vegetables. We have observed that, excess fertilizer is often harmful for the crop. [Page 27] The nature of the land and the character of the crop must be kept in mind while applying fertilizer. If one keep on consuming food not perfect for one's health, that food will do no good to him or her. Similarly the crop's health and land's nature must be kept in mind while fertilizing the field. Offering excess fertilizer at the same time will increase the cost of production without the desired result. Hence a cultivator is always expected to be aware of the fertilizer that is being used in cultivation.

Many cultivators are found to sow a large number of plants at close proximity, with the hope of earning greater profit. However the quality of the crop always suffer when they are planted at close proximity. If the seeds are sown at right distance with enough space for each plant, it will deliver the same amount crops as five closely planted trees. Greater profit do not depend on greater number of trees but on better quality of crops.

High quality of seeds are essential for producing vegetables of right size. In this connection the cultivators must be careful about another factor, which is cultivating within time. No matter how good is the seed, if it is cultivated after the stipulated period the production will suffer. One do not find the cultivators of our country to be dedicated enough to better the quality of the crops. [Page 28] Hence the methods prescribed in the article for enhancing the size of vegetables must be carefully observed.

[Page 39]

2. Khona's maxims

The above maxim of Khona is helpful in determining land for cultivation. It is easier to supervise if the cultivation is done closer to the house.

For setting up a fruit garden, cultivating banana on the same land before is always helpful. The land becomes conducive for planting mango and breadfruit trees. Profits can be earned by selling banana leaf, stem and the fruit during the time taken for mango and breadfruit to grow. Coconut trees must be planted at a distance of twelve hands and Areca nuts must be planted at a distance of eight hands. [Page 40] Planting trees at close proximity affects the production of fruits. Even when the trees are planted for wood, they must be planted at a distance. Trees planted at close proximity is neither helpful for production of fruit or good quality wood.

A certain type of fertilizer may not be effective for all plants. Fertilizer needs to be decided according to the plant. Just like a certain type of food may not suit all human being and different forms of food is needed to cater them. Applying cow dung to the base of the Areca plant is helpful. Similarly offering water to the base of bamboo plant is helpful. A coconut plant needs regular removal of its roots by clearing off the earth at its base. Applying dead grass at the base of the Arum plant and ashes to the base of the Araceae plant is good for the crop. A cultivator must always keep an eye to the growth of the plant. Most of the cultivators fail to identify the right fertilizer for his crop. Applying lot of fertilizers without knowledge will not help in increasing production.

This text is an English-language translation of the original version:
Original

This is a selection from the original text

Keywords

crops, cultivation, fertile, fertiliser, food, vegetables

Source text

Title: Krishi Tatwa

Subtitle: Volume-5, Issue-2

Editor(s): Bipradas Mukhopadhyay

Publisher: Paikpara Nursery

Publication date: 2016

Place of publication: Calcutta

Digital edition

Original editor(s): Bipradas Mukhopadhyay

Language: English

Selection used:

  • 1 ) pages 24 to 27
  • 2 ) page 39 to 40

Responsibility:

Texts collected by: Ayesha Mukherjee, Amlan Das Gupta, Azarmi Dukht Safavi

Texts transcribed by: Muhammad Irshad Alam, Bonisha Bhattacharya, Arshdeep Singh Brar, Muhammad Ehteshamuddin, Kahkashan Khalil, Sarbajit Mitra

Texts encoded by: Bonisha Bhattacharya, Shreya Bose, Lucy Corley, Kinshuk Das, Bedbyas Datta, Arshdeep Singh Brar, Sarbajit Mitra, Josh Monk, Reesoom Pal

Encoding checking by: Hannah Petrie, Gary Stringer, Charlotte Tupman

Genre: India > manuals and guides

For more information about the project, contact Dr Ayesha Mukherjee at the University of Exeter.

Acknowledgements