"It has been mentioned," says Sir H. Risley, [238] "that the garden
is regarded as almost sacred, and the superstitious practices in
vogue resemble those of the silk-worm breeder. The Barui will not
enter it until he has bathed and washed his clothes. Animals found
inside are driven out, while women ceremonially unclean dare not enter
within the gate. A Brahman never sets foot inside, and old men have a
prejudice against entering it. It has, however, been known to be used
for assignations." The betel-vine is the leaf of _Piper betel_ L.,
the word being derived from the Malayalam _vettila_, 'a plain leaf,'
and coming to us through the Portuguese _betre_ and _betle_. The
leaf is called _pan_, and is eaten with the nut of _Areca catechu_,
called in Hindi _supari_. The vine needs careful cultivation, the
gardens having to be covered to keep off the heat of the sun, while
liberal treatment with manure and irrigation is needed. The joints of
the creepers are planted in February, and begin to supply leaves in
about five months' time. When the first creepers are stripped after
a period of nearly a year, they are cut off and fresh ones appear,
the plants being exhausted within a period of about two years after
the first sowing. A garden may cover from half an acre to an acre
of land, and belongs to a number of growers, who act in partnership,
each owning so many lines of vines. The plain leaves are sold at from
2 annas to 4 annas a hundred, or a higher rate when they are out of
season. Damoh, Ramtek and Bilahri are three of the best-known centres
of cultivation in the Central Provinces. The Bilahri leaf is described
in the _Ain-i-Akbari_ as follows: "The leaf called Bilahri is white and
shining, and does not make the tongue harsh and hard. It tastes best
of all kinds. After it has been taken away from the creeper, it turns
white with some care after a month, or even after twenty days, when
greater efforts are made." [239] For retail sale _bidas_ are prepared,
consisting of a rolled betel-leaf containing areca-nut, catechu and
lime, and fastened with a clove. Musk and cardamoms are sometimes
added. Tobacco should be smoked after eating a _bida_ according to
the saying, 'Service without a patron, a young man without a shield,
and betel without tobacco are alike savourless.' _Bidas_ are sold
at from two to four for a pice (farthing). Women of the caste often
retail them, and as many are good-looking they secure more custom;
they are also said to have an indifferent reputation. Early in the
morning, when they open their shops, they burn some incense before
the bamboo basket in which the leaves are kept, to propitiate Lakshmi,
the goddess of wealth.