deserves. In other cases it is necessary to submit the seed to a
microscopic examination. If any old, worn seeds are detected, you
reject the sample unhesitatingly. Even when the seed appears quite
good, you subject it to yet another test. Take one or two hundred
seeds, and putting them on a damp piece of the pith of a plantain
tree, mixed with a little earth, set them in a warm place, and in two
days you will be able to tell what percentage has germinated, and what
is incapable of germination. If the percentage is good, the seed may
be considered as fairly up to the sample, and it is purchased. There
are native seed buyers, who try to get as much into their hands as
they can, and rig the market. There are also European buyers, and
there is a keen rivalry in all the bazaars.

The threshing-floor, and seed-cleaning ground presents a busy sight
when several thousand maunds of seed are being got ready for despatch
by boats. The dirty seed, full of dust and other impurities, is heaped
up in one corner. The floor is in the shape of a large square, nicely
paved with cement, as hard and clean as marble. Crowds of nearly nude
coolies, hurry to and fro with scoops of seed resting on their
shoulders. When they get in line, at right angles to the direction in
which the wind is blowing, they move slowly along, letting the seed
descend on the heap below, while the wind winnows it, and carries the
dust in dense clouds to leeward. This is repeated over and over again,
till the seed is as clean as it can be made. It is put through bamboo
sieves, so formed that any seed larger than indigo cannot pass
through. What remains in the sieve is put aside, and afterwards
cleaned, sorted, and sold as food, or if useless, thrown away or given
to the fowls. The men and boys dart backwards and forwards, there is a
steady drip, drip, of seed from the scoops, dense clouds of dust, and
incessant noise and bustle. Peons or watchmen are stationed all around