INDIAN FAMINES - Institute for Social and Economic Change

AND PRESS CRITICIS.l/. 151
this is very considerable, varying from a quarter
to three-quarters of a mile in width. At all
times it is of value: in ordinary years it affords
grazing-land; during years of drought, from
its comparatively low level, it is near to the
spring level of the river, and consequently is'
within reach of a small amount of moisture.
These two natural exceptions are cited by
Col B. Smith, in the famine of 1860-61, as having
been of very great benefit. He writes: H The
richly irrigated district of Paneput and the
northern subdivision of the Delhi district,
have virtually escaped injury, by reason, firstly,
of their being traversed by the Western Jumna
Canal; next, of the continued drought having relieved
them from the broad areas of swamp by
which they are ordinarily infested, and having
turned these useless lands into productive
fields; and last, of the low valley lands bordering
the Jumna having been so dried up as to
become culturable, and to give abundant pro-
,duce, and guaranteed wealth and abundance."
Col. B. Smith also gives the following table,
which relates to the subject in hand:-