Marine Salt. 



347 



1867, was 5,403,718 maunds, of which 4,597,312 maunds 

 were sea salt There were 3 54 salt works in operation. 



Extensive salt fields exist at Shimpagah, a short dis- 

 tance above Mandalay, on the western bank of the Irra- 

 waddy river. It is also obtained at other places in Burmah 

 on a small scale. Large quantities could be manufactured 

 at Shimpagah, but imported salt is fast taking its place in 

 the market. 



The manufacture of sea salt is carried on on the coasts 

 of Cochin China, and bids fair to become a prosperous 

 industry. There are salines worked at Soc-Trang, Baria, 

 and Bien-Hoa. 



The following is an estimate of the cost of carrying on 

 the manufacture at the salines of Baria. Each hectare 

 (about two acres) of saline is subdivided as follows :— 



Ares. 



Tables ... ... ... 40 



Beds ... ... ... 40 



Jas ... ... ... ... 20 



I hectare. 



From which it results that to establish 200 hectares of 

 "tables," it requires not less than 250 hectares of land. 

 The working of one hectare of tables, or two and a half 

 hectares of saline, involves the following expenditure : — ■ 

 1500 francs at first, for feeding the workmen during the 

 formation of the salines. If the first collection of salt is 

 good, the workpeople are paid a second sum of 1500 

 francs, and the collection of salt is given over to them for 

 their own benefit. The capital thus advanced amounts to 

 3000 francs. The second year the proprietors work on 

 their own account, and collect probably salt to the value of 

 2000 francs. After deducting tax, etc., there remains 

 about 1200 francs of net revenue on the capital advanced, 



