'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from September 1850 to June 1852. Edited by the Secretary. Volume X.' [‎39] (172/458)

ON THE PKOVINCE OP PESHAWUR. 39
n i(/lit, and during the months of December, January, and February,
the Tiiermometer falls down to 30° and 28° of Fahrenheit, and it is
not at all an uncommon occurrence to find the water frozen in the
basin in the morning. The mountains are clothed with snow all
round from November to March, many of which are not more than
pjo-ht and ten miles distant; and the Peak of Tatara, which is about
o
2,800 feet above the level of the sea, was clothed with snow half way
down its sides in December and January. Peshawur itself, which is
in Lafc. 34° and Long : 71° 4CK, is 1060 feet above the level of the
ocean. During the winter months a great deal of rain falls, which,
sometimes continues for days together; and such is the peculiar nature
of the soil, that after heavy rain it is dangerous and difficult to move
about, on account of its slippery, and at the same time adhesive,
nature. Water remains on the surface for a long time, and the roads
are often impassable thereby for days togetiier.
There are two harvests, viz., Itubee or the Spring, and the Khureef
or Autumn. In the beginning of December the Rubee crops are sown,
consisting of Barley, Wheat and Gram, (cicer arielinum) and the re
mainder, for this is not all, is sown at the end of the month, con
sisting of Addes, (Lentil) Mash (sort of bean,) and Muttar (kind of
pea,) the whole of which are ripe and gathered in April. After pre
paring the ground by manuring, watering and ploughing, the Autumn
or Khureef corps are sown, consisting of Jowaree-LHindee, (Maize)
Jowaree-i-Makee, Badjeree (holcus spicatus,) Rice and Cotton. These
crops ripen about the middle of November and beginning of December,
and after being cleared away, tbe ground is again prepared for
the Spring crops.
The method of separating tbe grain from the straw is, by construct
ing a frame work of wood, which is filled with logs of wood and other
O '
articles to make it heavy. This turns on a sort of pivot, and is drawn
about by oxen. The straw of Jowaree, called Iverby, is the staple food
for cattle, and is sometimes used for thatching. Wheat and Barley
straw is made into a material called Boosa, which is given to cattle, and
is also used for building purposes, mixed with earth. Rice and
Badjeree straw is merely used for packing. The corn is ground com
monly by mills turned by water. The stones, which are about
four feet in diameter, are placed horizontally. The miller either gets
one fortieth of the grain he is to make into flour, or ho receives
an equivalent in money.