Whenever we talk about the economy of Darjeeling hills, our minds automatically drifts towards tea plantations and tourism. E. C. Dozey in “Concise history of the Darjeeling district since 1835” talks about other avenues of economy in the hills. First let us start with fruits, or as mentioned, tropical fruits.
According to E. C. Dozey, the climate of the district was well suited for the cultivation of almost every kind of fruit, but the indigenous population neither planted these nor hired any wasteland for the purpose. But all that was done, in this direction was planting out of orange groves, and in few instances the cultivation of pineapples. He further goes on to say that, about six millions of these fruits were exported annually to Calcutta (Kolkata) from the orchards of the present day Sikkim, Kalimpong and Darjeeling. The lowest price was Rs 180 per hundred, while the highest was Rs 700 per hundred, specially during Christmas. The value of Rs 1 between 1835 and 1938 was between $4 and $6. So Rs 180 being the lowest price then, left an exceedingly large margin of profit per acre. E. C. Dozey was of the view that the quality and the size of the fruit could further be improved, but the conservative nature of the indigenous population, hindered innovation. So as a result, the crop suffered from all manners of blights and pests, which sometimes swept away the entire field.
E. C. Dozey has listed some of the pests, which affects the citrus family. “First, the black rust, which is held in check by liberal applications of kerosine spray, and heavy pruning. Second, the black insect or ‘mawa’, which exudes a sweetish fluid, but succumbs to infusions of tobacco. Third, scale insects, which first appears in whitish yellow bands and subsequently become black on bark and leaves, yields to the following mixture – 8lbs of resin to 4 of washing soda well boiled and sprayed over affected parts. Fourth, the borer worm is responsible for the loss of 20 per cent of the crops. A small quantity of asafoetida and Boris root boiled in oil, and then poured into the orifices drives the insects out. Fifth, foot rot due to over manuring. Sixth, gum disease, oozing of sap (liquid in a plant or a tree) from the base of the trunk. It is stopped by liberal applications of a mixture composed of 4 parts of resin, or shellac to 1 part of wax, followed by pruning. And seventh, as a preventative against attacks by insects, legion pest, and which ascend the trees from the base, grease bands renewed twice each year and wound round the stem near the root keeps them off”.
Plants were propagated from cuttings, locally known as “ghuttys”. These were set out at the commencement of the rains, at least 12 feet apart, and in rows facing due east and west. In the third year, the trees bear about 20 fruit each. By the fourth year of bearing, the trees beared about 500 fruits each, until the fertility of plant topped anything between 2000 to 4000 fruits. The trees were exceedingly hardy, and required only two manurings each year. The first before the rains set in, and the next after the harvest was gathered, in order to recoup the energy of the plant.
E. C. Dozey, further tells us that fruits such as guava, plantain, mango, loquat, lichee, papaya, peaches, pears, apples, plums, grapes, and many more were successfully raised at Gyabarie, which is presently just below Kurseong, at about 2,700 ft above sea level.
Besides fruits, Dozey gives us information about medicinal plants as well. Aconite (the deadly night shade), which was largely exported for medicinal purposes, grew at an elevation of 10,000 ft, while The Cherita, a tonic plant, grew (and grows) wild round every homestead. The Myrobolam (soap-nut) was shipped by the ton.
By,
S. K. Ghising
References,
1. E. C. Dozey, the concise history of the Darjeeling district since 1835, pg no 227 – 229.
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