It is obvious that January is the coldest and April and
May the hottest months in the year.
Its effects upon agriculture and the agriculturist: Cli-
mate plays in this village an important part in determin-
ing the total yield of rabi and hot-weather crops. If the
cold is moderate, it contributes to a large yield of, wal
(beans) which is a winter crop. If the heat is moderate
we have a large yield of well-developed mango-fruits
which are picked in summer. But excess of either proves
ruinous to the respective crops. Intensity of cold result-
ing in a fall of dew spoils the crop of wal. Intensity of heat
accompanied by violent winds frequently blows raw man-
go fruits off the trees and causes a heavy loss to the
grower.
These two aspects of climate have also their marked
effects on the efficiency of the agriculturist. Intensity of
cold and heat are well-known for their enervating effects
on man. But we may note that effects of the former are
intensified in the case of the average Atgam cultivator
who has too scanty clothes to cover his body as a protec-
tion against the inclemencies of weather in the cold season.
(3) The Soil of the Village.
Its importance : Though rainfall is a factor of supreme
importance in all forms of cultivation and climatic condi-
tions not less important, the soil—the texture of land—
is the very basis of cultivation, and the .results are there-
fore greatly influenced by the nature of the soil. It is
easy to understand that with the most adequate and sea-
sonal rainfall and favourable climate, the peasant can
reap hardly anything unless he has a fertile piece of land.
No doubt fertility of land can be augmented by the
application of manures but this presupposes a thorough
knowledge of the nature of the soil and a capacity to
pay for the manures.
Classes of soil: Three classes of soil are found in, this
village : Bagayat (garden-crop-land), Kyari (rice-crop-
land) and Jarayat (dry-crop-land). The areas under