INDIAN FAMINES - Institute for Social and Economic Change

HISTORICAL FAMINES.
is undoubtedly the case, that except in Bengal,
along the coasts, and in the Himalaya, in all of
which districts the rainfall is abundant, the
cultivation of rice is impossible. It is absolutely
necessary for its growth, to be actually
flooded for a considerable period. A rainfall
of 65 inches * may be said to limit its cultureexcept,
of course, where artificial irrigation is
available to supplement the necessary moisture.
The second reason-which I put forward with
some diffidence-is, that rice is not a suitable
article of diet for Northern India; it contains
too much carbonaceous matter for a dry and
hot climate. It is much on the same principle
that whisky can be drunk with comparative
impunity in Scotland. while beer is found more
acceptable in England, and light wines still
farther south.
• See note regarding the rainfa.ll requisite for the cultivation
of rice in the Appendix.