Cotton crop in the United Provinces

THE forecast of the cotton crop of 1914 in the United Provinces estimates the total area at 1,525,283 acres compared with 1,573,254 acres in 1913, showing a decrease of 47,991 acres or 3 per cent. over the last years's area  and increase of 28 per cent over the quinquennial average. The crop is said to be moderate and the quality of the lint superior to that of the previous year. For the Province as a whole the crop is estimated at 80 per cent. of the normal as compared with 75 per cent. in 1913. The outturn is estimated at 478,000 bales of 400 lbs. each compared with 482,000 bales last year. The available quantity is estimated at 231 million pounds and that required for mill and local consumption at 64 and 20 million pounds, respectively, and rest for export.

Pisciculture ad Begar in the Punjab

MR. G.C.L. Howell, Director of Fisheries in the Punjab, has made some interesting remarks on the prevalence of Begar in the mofussil. "An ancient but evil custom from which fishermen have suffered is that by which Tahsildars, village officers and other people think it incumbent upon them to provide touring officers and other visitors with fish. The visitor of course pays somebody for his two or three fish, and, though the money never reaches the fisherman, the amount of fish thus consumed is inconsiderable. Unfortunately underlings seldom lose an opportunity like this. I have in my possession a written order to a single fisherman from a Zaildar to bring in 16 lbs. for the camp of a Punjabi gentleman (not an official). Five others fishermen (I was told) received orders for the same amount for the same camp on the same day." Therein is lies the evil of making purchases through officials and semi-officials.