A History of Agriculture in India v2.c76.39

v2.c76.39

‘The *Srikandhi* is like the *Chambeli*, but smaller. It flowers in two years. ‘The *Hinna* has four petals, and resembles the flower called *Nafarman*. Different plants have often flowers of a different colour. ‘The *Dupahriya* is round and small, and looks like the flower called *Hamesha-bahar*. It opens at noon. The stem is about two yards (1.83 m) high. ‘The *Bhun champa* resembles the *Nilufar*, and has five petals. The stem is about a span long. It grows on such places as are periodically under water. Occasionally a plant is found above the water. ‘The *Sudarshan* resembles the *Raybel*, and has yellow threads inside. The stem looks like that of the *Susan* flower. ‘*Senbal* has five petals, each ten fingers long, and three fingers broad. ‘The *Ratanmala* is round and small. Its juice, boiled and mixed with vitriol and *mu’asfar*, furnishes a fast dye for stuffs. Butter and sesame oil are also boiled together with the root of the plant, when the mixture becomes a purple dye. ‘The *Sun ard* resembles the jasmine, but is a little larger, and has from five to six petals. The stem is like that of the *Chambeli*. It flowers in two years. ‘The *Malti* is like the *Chambeli*, but smaller. In the middle there are little stamens looking like poppyseed. It flowers in two years more less. ‘The *Karil* has three small petals. It flowers luxuriantly, and looks very well. The flower is also boiled and eaten; they also make pickles of it. ‘The *Jait* plant grows to a large tree; its leaves look like tamarind leaves. ‘The *Chanpala* is like a nosegay. The leaves of the plant are like walnut leaves. It flowers in two years. The bark of the plant when boiled in water makes the water red. It grows chiefly in the hills; its wood burns bright like a candle. ‘The *Lahi* has a stem one and a half yards (1.37 m) high. The branches before the flowers appear are made into a dish, which is eaten with bread. When camels feed on this plant they get fat and unruly. ‘The *Karaunda* resembles the *Juhi* flower. ‘The *Dhanantar* resembles the *Nilufar*, and looks very well. It is a creeper. ‘The *Siras* flower consists of silk-like threads, and resembles a *tumagha*. It sends its fragrance to a great distance. It is the king of the trees, although the Hindus rather worship the *Pipal* and *Bar* trees. The tree grows very large; its wood is used in building. Within the stem the wood is black, and resists the stroke of the axe. ‘The *Kangla-i* has five petals, each four fingers long, and looks very beautiful. Each branch produces only one flower. ‘The *San* (hemp) looks like a nosegay. The leaves of the plant resemble those of the *Chinar*. Of the bark of the plant strong ropes are made, called *Pat-san*. It makes a very soft rope.