May 1, 1865.] THE TECHNOLOGIST. 



AND IMITATIONS THEREOF. 457 



stantly increasing demands of the European markets, and the present 

 improved state of government, of social rights, and intercourse in that 

 part of India will, of course, add greatly to the energies of persevering 

 and painstaking peole, and will most probably give early proof that its 

 resources have never been fully developed. 



Umritsur and Lahore are already showing rapid progress in this trade, 

 and there is no reason why their productions should not equal in all 

 respects those of Kashmir ; while the demand for Europe is actively pro- 

 moted by European agents residing there, for the express purpose of 

 encouraging perfection in design, colour, and texture. 



To India we are still indebted for the supply of novelty of design, and 

 a new combination of colourings. It is the great head from which springs 

 an important industry. It will be seen by the annexed statements that 

 the trade in Kashmir shawls is very extensive ; for the quantity im- 

 ported and sold at half-yearly sales from 1851 to 1861 was : — 



1851 



6,700 



shawls, 



value 



£94,700 



1852 



8,138 



„ 



?j 



113,000 



1853 



7,666 



>> 



j> 



104,000 



1854 



5,698 





r> 



106,500 



1855 



8,095 



3) 





173,900 



1856 



. 10,979 





„ 



250,600 



1857 



8,418 



» 



„ 



147,900 



1858 



. 10,420 





„ 



247,600 



1859 



. 10,532 



» 



>) 



217,500 



1860 



. 14,222 





55 



264,586 



1861 



. 14,394 



„ 



55 



222,360 



independently of a large number of cases imported by merchants, and 

 which are not put up for sale. 



The Valley of Kashmir and its surrounding mountains is the seat of 

 an important branch of industry, which is the principal occupation of a 

 persevering and painstaking people. Here the finest shawls are made. 

 Many of those shown in 1862 deserve particular notice for artistic design, 

 perfection of colouring, and high art weaving. 



Umritsur and Loodiana contributed collections which show progress, 

 but more caution should be observed by the manufacturers in the selec- 

 tion of their yarns. They should be warned also to mix neither wool 

 from common sheep, nor Kirmanee Thibet, nor, as they sometimes do, 

 country lambs' wool, with the " pushum," as we find in all the square 

 long striped and jamavars, which are manufactured in those cities. "We 

 make these remarks in the hope that the manufacturers may continue 

 in their progress, and turn their attention to the fact which makes the 

 mountain shawl retain former, if not higher prices, and, when perfect 

 and free from imperfection, always command extreme prices. This is 

 owing to the excellence of its raw material, the tissue being unequal for 

 its beauty and softness. 



The value of the Kashmir shawls exported from India to all parts 

 was as follows, for the years specified :< — 



