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which you allude to previous correspondence with my 

 predecessor, on the subject of Uk and Sur fibres, and ask 

 that one cwt. of dried stalks of Uk should be sent to you, 

 and, secondly, that a similar quantity of the Sur fibre should 

 be despatched to you, with accurate calculations of the cost 

 incurred, I have the honour to reply, as follows : 



2. Some Uk fibre was apparently sent to you in May, 

 1876.* The previous correspondence to which you allude 

 was not left on record by Sir William Merewether. But 

 whilst I concur entirely with you in the advantage of 

 developing the resources of India, I am of opinion that 

 isolated and spasmodic attempts to develop a new industry 

 are unsatisfactory. I would therefore recommend your 

 addressing the Government of Bombay, or the Government 

 of India, in the Agricultural Department, on the subject, 

 who, if they consider that the experiment will be bene- 

 ficial, and has not already been tried, will doubtless render 

 you every assistance in the matter. I think this course 

 will, in the end, offer you the largest prospect of success. 



I have, &c., 

 (Signed) F. D. MELVILL, 



Acting Commissioner in Sind. 



From the Acting Commissioner in Sind. 

 Sir, In reply to your letter of the 1st ult, I have the 

 honour to refer you to my letter, No. 4,099, of the 15th 

 idem. If you would address Government on the subject of 

 procuring the Uk stalks, and the Sur fibre, your proposal 

 will, I am sure, receive the consideration it deserves. 



I have, &c., 

 (Signed) F. B. MELVILL, 



Acting Commissioner in Sind. 



* Quite correct. This sample formed the embryo of my scheme, which 

 was set in motion in February, 1877. It was the DBIED STEMS of the 

 plant I now applied for, and not the prepared fibre. G. W. S. 



