196 ^ STATISTICAL SKETCH 



japonica, though not from the same cause : this article is prepared only by 

 persons of the lowest, or Dom cast, who, having no capital of their own, are 

 obliged to work on advances, either at a given rate for the produce, or in the 

 shape of wages. These speculations prove extremely profitable, and the re- 

 turns are always quick. The Kuth does not cost the capitalist more than 

 from five to eight rupees the maund, while in Rampur and other large towns 

 of RohillcJiand, the price is commonly from ten to fourteen rupees the maund. 

 The trade in timber, &c., proves equally advantageous; a hackery load, 

 the original cost of which may have been two rupees, with an additional ex- 

 pence of eight annas, government impost, sells for more than double at the 

 nearest mart. The continuance of these high profits is, no doubt, to be attri- 

 buted to tlie almost universal dread entertained of the climate of the Tarai 

 forests. The people who now carry on the trade, are, with few exceptions, 

 invariably Mohammedans. For the convenience of the purchasers, the hill 

 Zemindars have established small Mandis, or marts, at which the timbers and 

 bamboos are collected, when cut and prepared; they are conveyed thither by 

 manual labor. The forests nearest the plains being now totally exhausted 

 of timber, the traders are obliged to come almost to the foot of the hills, 

 where a supply of the finest timbers, calculated for the consumption 

 of years, presents itself. Sisu forms an exception, as large trees of this 

 species are becoming scarce in every part of the Kamaon forests. A list 

 of the productions exported from the Tarai forests, will be found in the 

 appendix. 



A short view of the present Judicial and Revenue Systems, will now be 

 taken. The first calls for little notice, as the general absence of crimes in 

 this province, renders this branch of administration of minor importance. 

 From the 1st January, 1820, to the 31st December 1821, the total of 

 criminals confined in jail, amounted to sixty-five, for the undermentioned 

 offences.— 



