Abstract

Any visitor to Bapatla, as he approaches the place in the train would be struck with the view on both sides, of stretches of sandy belts, fallow or covered with crops and dotted with palmyra or cashew-nut trees. There may also be attractive green patches of paddy or tobacco, interspersed with jasmine or vegetables coming to view according to the season. A closer observation will reveal the presence of small ponds or 'doruvus", wells from which water is lifted in pots for 'irrigating the adjacent crops. The sands drink up water and hence pot-watering is a continuous process from day to day. A visit to these areas will show that very good crops could be grown out of these poor sandy soils. A study of this type of crop production and its economics has been considered worthwhile and might be interest, particularly to students of agriculture.

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