ABSTRACT
The success of agriculture is dependent on adequate rainfall from the monsoon, adequate both in amount and distribution. The coincidence of heat with adequate, or even abundant rain in summer makes the climates agriculturally very productive, rice, oilseeds, tea and jute being characteristic monsoon products. A premature departure of the monsoon is a catastrophe greater than its delayed appearance; for while the latter only prolongs the discomfort and expectant inactivity of the Hot Season, the former dries up crops which have relied on a continuance of the rains. The monsoon rain forest rivals the selvas of the equatorial zone in density and wealth of foliage, and it yields many trees of commercial value; where the dry season is longer, a deciduous forest is found, adapted to more or less prolonged drought, a period of enforced inactivity. The monsoon leaves the Punjab about 15th September, the United Provinces about ist October, and Bengal about 15th October.
