उपवनविनोद (आचार्य शार्ङ्गधर - वृक्षायुर्वेद, भू-जल संधान एवं उद्यान-विज्ञान सटीक)

SCIENCE OF ARBORI-HORTICULTURE IN ANCIENT INDIA 15
days. A circular hole should be dug in the ground, a cubit in diameter and 2
cubits deep, and this should be filled with the milky decoction. When the hole
dries up it should be burnt with fire and then pasted over with ashes, mixed
with ghee and honey. Three inches of soil should now be thrown in, then
the powder of bean, sesame and barley, then again three inches of soil.
Finally washing of fish should be sprinkled and the mud should be beaten
and reduced to a thick consistency, then the seed previously prepared should
be placed in the hole under three inches of soil and fish washings (with fish)
poured. This will lead to luxuriant ramification and foliage which will
excite wonder".
And "the sprouts of seeds, when grown are to be manured with a fresh
haul of minute fishes and irrigated with the milk of Snuhi"'¹
VI. THE PROCESS OF PLANTATION
The process of plantation receives scientific attention probably for the first
time in the Arthaśāstra (Chap. 24, 115) which directs that the Superintendent
of Agriculture should possess the knowledge of the science of agriculture
dealing with the plantation of bushes and trees (kṛṣhitantragulmavṛkṣhāyur-
vedajñaḥ), or be assisted by those who are trained in such sciences.
The Forest Officer and the Superintendents of parks and gardens,
according to Śukrāchāryya, are to know "the causes of growth and develop-
ment of flowers and fruits, the methods of planting and curing the trees
by administering proper soil and water at the suitable time, etc."²
Bṛhatsaṃhitā is more elaborate on the subject of plantation. It enjoins
the following preliminaries :
"One should plant the tree after oneself being pure and after worshipping
the tree with a bath and anointment, and the result will be that the tree will
be graced with luxuriant growth of leaves".
"Uttarā, Rohiṇī, Anurādhā, Chitrā, Mṛgaśirā, Revatī, Mūlā, Viśākhā,
Tiṣya, Śravaṇā, Aśvinī, and the Hastā, are the stars under the in-
fluence of which a tree when planted will flourish"³
In the Agnipurāṇa there are verses of similar import. "One should take or
plant the trees after worshipping the moon and Brahmin, and make sure to
propitiate the five stars—Vāyavya, Hastā, Prājeṣa, Vaiṣṇava, and Mūlā"
"One should perform the work (of plantation) after worshipping Varuṇa,
Viṣṇu, and Parjjanya, the rain god"⁴.
1 Arthaśāstra (Eng Ed.), Chap. 24, 117, p. 145.
2 S. B. H. Śukra. II, 317-319.
3 Chap. 54, 8 & 31, Vol, II, pp. 745.
4 Chap. 281, 6 & 34, Bib. Ind., Vol. II (1876) pp. 42-43.