1875.] Correspondence regarding Indian Dye-Stuffs and Silks. 133 



would be a market for any quantity. At present it is reeled in the form of 

 small hanks, either upon a woman's knee or a rude conical hand-reel made 

 of bamboo. The cocoons require to be steeped in more or less strong solu- 

 tions of potash or caustic soda to dissolve the peculiar gum this insect 

 secretes while spinning. 



The different tusser cocoons are produced in such abundance in differ- 

 ent parts of India from the sub-Himalayan slopes to Ceylon, in which 

 latter place Sir Emerson Tenhant, in his " Natural History of Ceylon," 

 describes no less than three descriptions of tussers of useful qualities, which 

 have since been traced through the whole extent of the Nilghiris, again in 

 the Assam districts, and again in Kangra. 



No. fg-, dated Simla, the 25th May, 1875. 

 From A. 0. Hume, Esq., c.b., Secretary to the Govt, of India, Depart- 

 ment of Revenue, Agriculture and Commerce. 

 To the Secretary to the Government of Bengal. 

 In continuation of Circular No. ~, dated the 3rd instant, asking that 

 steps may betaken for the collection of information concerning dye-stuffs 

 of Indian production, I am desired to request that particular attention may 

 be paid to the collection, so far as may be practicable, of facts under the 

 following heads : — 



(1) Scientific and local vernacular names of the dye-stuffs produced 

 in the province. 



(2) Average approximate extent of cultivation annually in each 

 district for the last five years. 



(3) Cost and profits of cultivation. 



(4) Season and methods of cultivation. 



(5) Average estimated quantity of the dyes produced during the last 

 five years. 



(6) Proportion of the quantity produced which is absorbed locally 

 and which is placed on the market. What are the principal markets to 

 which the dyes are forwarded ? 



(7) Methods locally employed for extraction of the dye. 



(8) Uses for which each dye is commonly locally employed, (viz. 

 nature of fabric) and processes of application generally practised. Under 

 this head should be' given a full account of the mordants locally employed, 

 and it should be stated what shades of colours are produced, by what com- 

 binations, and whether the colours are permanent or fleeting. 



(9) Average price of each merchantable dye-stuff, according to qua- 

 lity, in the market. 



(10) Total annual trade in each kind, stating the countries of import 

 and export. 



