Irrigation is exclusively effected by conducting the water of rivers and rivulets from the more or less elevated spots in the vicinity, and in this respect, differs materially in its process from that of Bengal, for although considerable labour and ingenuity are exercised in detaining, regulating, and distributing the supply, by means of dams, called _bandáng'ans_, no machinery whatever is employed in raising water for agricultural purposes in any part of the island.
The rice grown on _sáwahs_, is of two kinds, _pári génja_ and _pári dálam_. In the former, the harvest takes place four months after the transplantation; in the latter, six months. _Pári génja_ having the advantage of a quicker growth, is therefore often planted when the rainy season is far advanced. _Pári dálam_ is more prolific, and yields a grain of superior quality, comprising those varieties in which the ears are longer and more compound. The varieties of each kind are distinct and permanent.
The subvarieties are very numerous, amounting, with those of _kétan_, to more than a hundred. _Kétan_ is a distinct variety, with very glutinous seeds, seldom employed as an article of food, except in confections, cakes, and the like. Of the varieties of the _pári génsha_, _mentik_ and _anchar bántap_ are preferred. Of the _pári dálam_, those of _krentúlan_ and _súka nándi_ are most esteemed, being remarkably well flavoured and fit for keeping. _S'lámat jáwa_ yields also rice of good quality. The bearded kinds of _pári_ are always preferred for keeping, as the grains do not readily fall off. Near _Súra-kérta_, the principal native capital, close to the site of the former capital _Kérta-súra_, there is a peculiar tract inundated by water from a fountain at _Píng'gíng_, which is said to produce a grain of very superior flavour, from which the table of the _Susuhúnan_ is supplied. _Súka nándi_ is the kind uniformly preferred for these plantations.
For _pári gága_, whether in high or low situations, the ground is prepared by ploughing and harrowing, and the seed is planted after the manner called setting in some parts of England. The holes are made by pointed sticks, called _pónchos_, and into each hole two seeds are thrown. Only careless husbandmen, or those who cannot procure the requisite assistance in their labour, sow by broadcast. In high situations the earth is prepared before the rains commence: the seed is sown in the months of September or October, and the harvest takes place in January and February following. _Gágas_ of low situations are planted about a month after the harvest of the _sáwah_ is got in, and frequently receive temporary supplies of water from a neighbouring rivulet. In high situations, to which water cannot be carried, they are sufficiently moistened by the first rains of the season. During their growth, they receive several hoeings from the careful husbandman.