12 The Rose Garden. 



" In the morning early the flowers are plucked by numbers of men, women, and 

 children, and are conveyed in large bags to the several contracting parties for distilla- 

 tion. The cultivators themselves very rarely manufacture. 



" There is such a variety of Rose-water manufactured, and so much that bears the 

 name which is nothing more than a mixture of sandal-oil, that it is impossible to lay 

 down the plan which is adopted. The best Rose-water, however, may be computed 

 as bearing the proportion of 1000 Roses to a seer (2 Ibs. troy) of water ; this, perhaps, 

 may be considered as the best procurable. From 1000 Roses most generally a seer 

 and a half of Rose-water is distilled ; and perhaps from this even the Attar has been 

 removed. 



" To procure the Attar, the Roses are put into the still, and the water passes over 

 gradually, as in the Rose-water process. After the whole has come over, the Rose- 

 water is placed in a large metal basin, which is covered with wetted muslin tied over 

 to prevent insects or dust getting into it ; this vessel is let into the ground about two 

 feet, which has been previously wetted with water, and it is allowed to remain quiet 

 during the whole night. The Attar is always made at the beginning of the season, 

 when the nights are cool ; in the morning early the little film of Attar, which is 

 formed upon the surface of the Rose-water during the night, is removed by means of 

 a feather, and it is then carefully placed in a small phial ; and day after day, as the 

 collection is made, it is placed for a short period in the sun ; and after a sufficient 

 quantity has been procured it is poured off clear, and of the colour of amber, into 

 small phials. Pure Attar when it has been removed only three or four days has a 

 pale greenish hue ; by keeping it soon loses this, and in a few weeks' time becomes of 

 a pale yellow. 



" From one lac of Roses it is generally calculated that 1 80 grains or one tolah 

 (seven pennyweights) of Attar can be procured ; more than this can be obtained if the 

 Roses are full sized, and the nights cold to allow of the congelation. 



" The Attar purchased in the bazaar is generally adulterated, mixed with sandal- 

 oil or sweet-oil. Not even the richest native will give the price at which the purest 

 Attar alone can be obtained ; and the purest Attar that is made is sold to Europeans. 

 During the past year it has been selling from 80 to 90 rupees the tolah ; the year 

 before it might have been purchased for 50 rupees. 



" At the commencement of the Rose season people from all parts come to make 

 their purchases, and very large quantities are prepared and sold. There are about 

 thirty-six places in Ghazeepore where Rose-water is distilled. 



"The chief use the natives appear to make of the Rose-water is at the period of 

 their festivals and weddings. It is then distributed largely to the guests as they 

 arrive, and sprinkled with profusion in the apartments. 



" I should consider that the value of the Roses sold for the manutacture of Rose- 

 water may be estimated at 15,000 rupees a year, and from this to 20,000; and from 



