'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1865 to December 1867. (Edited by the Honorary Secretary.) Volume XVIII.' [‎52] (187/268)

REPORT ON A VISIT TO KEJ; AND
turns N. W. and leads over some low hills. The distance is twelve
miles and within four miles of Kohuk is a date grove, in which are a
few huts, a spot which bears the name of Geki. At this point there
is a marked alteration in the character of the soil and country, and
the pleasant green of the underwood and occasional patches ot culti
vated land is refreshing to the eye, after the barren ugly tract previously
traversed. The district now entered, known as the Dusht, a valley or
plateau of considerable extent, contains much rich and feitile land, and
consequently is comparatively of importance. Its name usually signify-.
ing, as it does, “ a cesert plain, 5 ’ has led to this tract being described
as a dry barren one, when, in point of fact, it is one of the most flourish
ing portions of Mekran. The river or Khor, named the “ Dusht,”
flows through the valley in a south-westerly direction, fertilizing the
land, and enriching it with a quantity of alluvium which it brings down
at certain seasons, and reaches the sea near Jewni to the westward of
Has Pishkan. It must not, however, be supposed that the “ Khor
Dusht 55 is at all times a continuous stream from source to mouth ; un
fortunately, it is only after rains that it deserves the name of river at
this point in its course. At other times, though starting and continuing
for a considerable distance in the character of a flowing stream, the
dry sandy soil of Mekran soon checks its course and so far absorbs its
waters that the deeper pools alone remain. When heavy rains occur
higher up the country, this river, every where receiving contributions
of water from the hills on either side, rapidly rises. At such times
an immense body of water suddenly appears in the Dusht, and the
banks of the Khor are inundated for a considerable distance. So
sudden, sometimes, is the irruption, that the inhabitants are unaware
of its approach until the flood is on them, and in this manner many
lives are said to be lost. As the land thus flooded dries up, the inhabit
ants lose no time in taking advantage of its fertile condition to throw
in seed, which seldom fails to prosper. Several villages are situated
along the course of the Khor. Further west in the same plateau is
situated the fertile flourishing tract named Baho, which is watered by
a second Khor flowing from a more westerly source. The light spongy
soil of Dusht is well adapted to produce Cotton, and this article is
grown in considerable quantities and, I believe, of fair quality ; several
kinds of grain are also produced. The uncertainty regarding irrigation
is, however, necessarily discouraging to extended operations*
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