250 On the Native Manufacture of Turpentine. [May, 
ground, a smaller pot, holding about 3 of a seer of the same descrip- 
tion as the above, is placed in it, over which the large one is put, and 
the space round refilled with earth; a heap of cow-dung, about 15 
seers, is then piled over the whole, (which during the operation requires 
replenishing with about an equal quantity;) this is set fire to, and kept 
burning for about eight or nine hours, after which, the pots are remov- 
ed, and the tar which has run off into the lower vessel, is put aside into 
a receptacle for that purpose: each pot runs off about five chittaks of tar, 
and gives a refuse of about a seer of charcoal—five men will make about 
two maunds and 10 seers, or nine’ of these pots full of tar, during the 
month, and the expence of the article will be as follows: 
1, One head man; at:per month... ea 8 SES S00 
Four men, at each four rupees,...........5.... 16 0 0 
Purchase of pots and sundries, 1 ne) 
ecre ee ee ee ee Oe ww 
Which on 24 maunds will give arate per seer of three annas and 11 pie, 
nearly, from which is to be deducted the value of the charcoal, which in 
a large manufactory is considerable ; in the above seven maunds, 35 seers, 
which in the forests would sell fer two rupees, reducing the rate per seer 
of tar to three annas seven pie nearly. This tar is used on the boats on 
the Doab Canal, and also on the wood-work of the dams and regulat- 
ing bridges, and wherever a weather boarding mixture is required ; 
and I believe it may be recommended in every way. The common native 
turpentine is used also with the tar for these purposes. The fir wood 
itself is good for boxes, table, planks, and articles of that description, 
and also makes floats for rafting the heavier varieties of wood: it has 
also been used in making boats, (an experiment tried from its lightness, 
and cheapness of working,) but without that success that was anticipated, 
the planking having become completely rotten and unserviceable after 
the work of two seasons. The natives hold the wood in no esteem what- 
ever, but experience has shewn that for the purposes above-mentioned, 
namely for boxes, &c. this fir is as good as the common deal, and 
from its excessive lightness is certainly to be highly prized. 
Fig. 1. of Plate IX. exhibits a sectional view of the simple turpen- 
tine-still of the natives; a is the vessel in which the wood is heated ; 
b that in which the turpentine is collected. 
B. 
Northern Doab, March 26th, 1833. 
