328 Wool and Woollen Manufactures of Khorassan. [No. 99. 



rated and cleaned in the same manner as cotton, and then spun into 

 threads. 



The autumn wool is gathered from the skins of animals which have 

 been slaughtered for food, and it is dearer than the winter fleece, on 

 account of its superior fineness. 



In Captain Conolly's Book of Samples, I observed a dark brown 

 wool, labelled, " Thibetan Shawl Wool." I may mention, that during 

 a trip through some of the Tartar districts of the Himalah, where the 

 Shawl Goats abound, I scarcely remember to have seen one dark 

 coloured animal, the prevailing colour being white, with sometimes 

 black ears and head ; the wool, or " Pushm," as it is there called, being 

 consequently quite white also. The wool in Captain Conolly's book 

 appeared to me to be the same as that of Khorassan. I mention this, 

 in case he should have sent you specimens. 



No. Lisa sample of the wool of the prevailing colour, and procured 

 from black goats at Candahar ; it is the winter growth. 



No. 2. Is another shade. Both are characteristic. 



No. 3. Is a woollen cloth manufactured at Beerjund, in Persia, 

 from the winter fleece, and is interspersed with the hairs, which are 

 only, as above mentioned, partially separated from the wool after 

 shearing. 



This sample is called " Barak-Koork-i ;" it is made in pieces 

 of from 9 to 12 inches broad, by 8 to 12 yards long, at from 4 to 10 

 Company's rupees per piece. 



No. 4. Is another sample of a similar, though lighter coloured cloth, 

 from the same place, and of the same kind of wool. 



The price in Beerjund is 5 rupees per piece of 7 yards, which as the 

 yard there is 42 inches, and the rupee equal only to 8 annas, makes its 

 price in Company's rupees to be 2-8 per 8 yards and 6 inches. The 

 rupee in use at Beerjund is " Adam-Khan-iP 



In Candahar the same quantity sold for 8 rupees, each equal to 1 2 

 annas, so that the cost from Beerjund was increased 31 Company's 

 rupees. This was owing to the endless duties levied on the road ; 

 and Kohundil Khan* exacted a farther tax of r on its arrival. 



40 



This cloth is also exported to Cabul, Scindh, Shikarpore, and other 



places. At present the greatest quantity goes to Tehran ; and in 



Candahar and other Afghan towns the demand is far greater than the 



supply. 



* Note. — One of the three brothers of Dost Mahummud Khan who held Candahar 

 after the usurpation as a separate government. The taxes on trade and manufactures 

 levied by these chiefs were most oppressive. 



