A Concise History of Science in India c10.s2.3

c10.s2.3

The *Arthaśāstra*, which throws enough light on the state of agriculture possibly of its time, speaks of the science of agriculture and the Director of Agriculturec (*Sītādhyakṣa*). The latter was expected to be conversant with the suitability of the soil, ploughing, preparation of the soil, selection of proper seeds, etc., on the one hand, and the amount of rainfall that was expected to occur in different seasons of the year on the other. The text says: 'In conformity with that, he (the Director) should cause crops to be sown, requiring plenty or little water. *Śāli*-rice, *vrīhi*-rice, *kodrava*, sesamum, *priyaṅgu*, *dāraka* and *varaka* (*Phaseolus trilobus*) are the first sowings. *Mudga*, *māṣa* and *śaimbya* are the middle sowings. Safflower, lentils, horse-gram, barley, wheat, *kalāya*, linseed and mustard are the last sowings … which should be in conformity with the season … A (region) where the foam strikes (*phenāghātaḥ*) the banks is suited for creeper fruits; (regions on) the outskirts of overflows, for long pepper, grapes and sugar-cane; those on the borders of wells, for vegetables and roots, those on the borders of moist beds of lakes, for green grass …'