34 Remarks on the Silks of Assam. ("Jan. 



these parts is, that both species (mooga and eria) are indigenous to 

 Upper Assam and were introduced from thence. It has always appeared 

 to me that the pfbduction of these silks is greater as one advances to 

 the east — it is to this day procurable more abundantly in Upper 

 Assam than any where else, especially in the district of Lukinpoor on 

 the north bank of the Burhampootur . 



Little eria is exported, but the mooga forms one of the principal 

 exports of Assam ; the average of the quantity passed at Gowalpara 

 during the two last years that duties were levied, was two hundred and 

 fifty-seven maunds, valued at fifty-six thousand and fifty-four rupees : it 

 leaves the country principally in the shape of thread. Most of it 

 going to Berhampoor, it is probable that the cloths made from it pass 

 under the name of tussur ; the latter as far as I recollect, appears to 

 have less gloss. The Hydra chowkey returns comprise only the 

 products exported by water. The total quantity that leaves the pro- 

 vince may, I think, be estimated at upwards of three hundred maunds, 

 for mooga forms also a portion of the traffic with Silhet (across the 

 hills) the Cassyas, Bhotias, and other hill tribes. The Assamese gene- 

 rally keeping more for their own use than they sell, the total quantity 

 produced in the province may be reckoned at six or seven hundred 

 maunds. It has been in great demand in Bengal, for within the last 

 few years, although the production has been greater from the more 

 settled state of the country, the price has risen 20 per cent. When I 

 first arrived in this district, it could be obtained without difficulty from 

 the ryuts at three and a half to four rupees the seer ; now it is difficult 

 to procure it at five rupees. The competition is so great, that the 

 traders pay for it in advance, not as with other products, to get it at 

 a lower rate, but merely to secure their getting it. This competition 

 is also owing to the greater number of small traders who resort to the 

 province since the abolition of chowkeys — which may have caused a rise 

 on the price of the product in Assam without a corresponding increase 

 in the exports. 



No gradual improvement can be traced in the mode of rearing the 

 several worms or winding their silk — it is now what it was a century 

 ago, there being no European speculators in Assam, nor it being pro- 

 bable that when any venture so far they would readily risk the capi- 

 tal in quite a new branch of industry. This important product of the 

 country is likely to remain for years unimproved, unless the subject 

 should again be taken up by Government. The small factory set up 

 by the late Mr. Scott, to which I have before alluded, was kept up 

 too short a time to have had any perceptible effect. Mr. Scott's 

 declining health and numerous duties never allowed him to give it a 



