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Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 19, p. 272.

272 OSMANAB.JD DISTRICT while the hharal is generally utilized for garden produce, which needs heavy manuring in order to produce a good crop, the soil being naturally poor. The soils at the foot of the range of hills running across the District are especially fertile, containing the rain-washed detrital matter from the rocks above, and having all the properties of alluvium. The tenure of lands is mainly ryotwdH. In 19o1, out of a total area of 2,627 square miles of hhdlsa and crown lands, 1,813 were cultivated, of which only 76 were irrigated. Cultivable waste and fallows occupied 648 square miles, while 166 were not available for cultiva tion. The staple food-grain is jowar, grown on 70 per cent. of the net area cropped. Wheat, rice, and 8hjra are next in importance, the areas under each being respectively '75, 37, and 29 square miles. Cotton is grown in all the taluhs, and the total area occupied by it is about 56 square miles. Sugar-cane is raised in small quantities with well-irrigation, the area under this crop being slightly less than 1o square miles. Since the last settlement in 1883, which resulted in the taking up of all the available lands by the ryots, no extension of holdings has been possible. The ryots have shown no interest in the introduction of new varieties of seed or of improved agricultural implements. No particular breed of cattle is characteristic of the District, but those found are strong and robust, and well suited for deep ploughing, which is essential to the heavy loamy and argillaceous soils prevalent. Sheep and goats of the common kind are reared. Ordinary ponies are to be had for from RS. 20 to Rs. 30 ; but the better sort, well-known for their staying powers and sure-footedness, fetch as much as Rs. Yoo. For some years past, the State has kept two Arab stallions at Osman- abad and one at Parenda, for the purpose of improving the local breed. The irrigated area amounts to only about 76 square miles, supplied by wells, of which 8,8oo are in good repair. Such tanks as exist are used for drinking purposes only, while the beds of the rivers are too low to permit of their water being used for cultivation. There are no minerals of any economic value, beyond the ordinary granite and basaltic rock, used in building and road-metalling. Near Katri, Kamta, and Wadgaon in the Osmanabad tdluk, reddish earth is found, which is used by the Hindus for plastering floors. No important industry is carried on in the District. Coarse cotton cloth and dhotis, sdras, and cholis used to be manufactured locally, but for some years past cloth of all kinds and yarn have Trade and communications. imported at cheaper rates. The shepherds . usually manufacture blankets from the wool of their sheep, which are sold at from Rs. 2 to Rs. 3 apiece. At Latur in the Owsa tdluk, which is a large trade centre, a small ginning-mill was erected in 1889, and two more have been started since igoi. There