History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c24.s3.t2.7

v1.c24.s3.t2.7

To increase the fertility of the seeds they were treated before sowing. According to the *Arthaśāstra* (II.24.24), seeds of grains are to be soaked in dew and dried in the heat for seven days; those of pulses for three days and nights or five; stalks that serve as seeds are to be smeared at the cut with honey, ghee and pig's fat mixed with cow-dung; bulbous roots to be smeared with honey and ghee; and stone-like seeds to be smeared with cow-dung.