of Edinburgh, Session 1880-81. Ixv 



liave been specially imported for the purpose. In dry seasons the 

 produce averages nearly a ton, though the crop was in 1871 only 

 half that quantity. Some 1500 lbs. of saffron are exported yearly 

 from Kashmir to Ladakh. From 9d. to Is. sterling is given for 

 180 grains. The bulbs are planted out in June, and the stigmata 

 are collected in October. It is principally used as a condiment, its 

 power on the system whether in health or disease being trivial. 

 The mark on the forehead of a Hindu Pundit is partially derived from 

 it. The Mussulmans of the valley are generally unable to buy it. 

 According to O'Shauglinessy the odour is fragrant, and the taste 

 bitter but agreeable. It tinges the saliva yellow. Pereira makes 

 one grain of good saffron to contain the stigmata and styles of nine 

 flowers, so that the formation of an ounce would require 4320 

 flowers. Bulbs from Kashmir, received by Dr Royle in 1826, when 

 in charge of the Saharunpore Botanical Gardens, which flowered, and 

 were afterwards figured, turned out to be varieties of Crocus sativus. 

 This author has little doubt of the Asiatic derivation of this species. 

 The four stations for saffron cultivation, called " Warewas," are 

 flat treeless tablelands, on the borders of the hills, 50 to 150 feet 

 higher than the Kashmir Valley, which is 5200 feet above the sea- 

 level. They are little, if at all irrigated. The soil is a stiff clay. 

 Dr Downes has been informed that saffron has been successfully 

 cultivated in the gardens of the city of Kashmir ; indeed, he 

 believes that the oppression and greed of government officials is the 

 sole cause preventing its general growth. He does not think a 

 special soil needed for the cultivation of Crocus sativus. In a 

 hopeful experiment of this kind at Alwar, near Delhi, Mr Landseer 

 started bulb-growing on earth brought in barrels from Kashmir. 

 But in the second year the five beds of bulbs had increased to nine, 

 and as there was no further import of Kashmir earth, native soil 

 had to be partly used, and with success. In Kashmir the Crocus 

 sativus is cultivated on raised parterres, well drained and carefully 

 weeded, though Dr Downes believes not irrigated. As the half of 

 the price of the produce, which is the due of the cultivator, very 

 seldom comes his way — owing to the plundering of intermediate 

 government officials — the plant is left very much to its own care. 

 During the last two famine years no saffron has been gathered, 

 though this year a small crop is expected. According to one native 

 tradition the Crocus sativus miraculously appeared in Pampur after 

 the prayer of a holy man some 300 years ago ; while others assert 

 its introduction from the direction of Kabul by a ruler named 

 Bar-shdh. 



