oct. — dec. 1857.] Oils of Southern India. 



7 



The total value of oils exported from India exhibits an annual 

 increase, the demand however for the various items of which the 

 whole export is composed, fluctuates considerably. 



In 1848-49 the quantity of oil shipped was less than in the pre- 

 ceding year, but Linseed and Ground nuts first formed regular ar- 

 ticles of export. 



In 1849-50 the demand for Cocoanut oil was doubled, that for 

 Ground nuts trebled, and that for Gingely much increased. 



In 1850-51 Gingely w T as exported to twice the amount of the 

 previous year, and Ground nut continued to be largely shipped. 

 Fish oil, was also made in large quantities. 



In 1851-52 there was an increase of one-third in demand for Co- 

 coanut, and of 100 per cent, for Fish oil, but Ground nut declined 

 to one-third of its former export, Gingeley oil and seed also decreas- 

 ed, the latter to the extent of nearly one half of the former demand. 

 This was on the whole a bad year for this branch of trade. 



In 1852-53 there was a further increase in demand for Cocoanut 

 oil which now more than doubled its export for 1850-51, also an 

 immense increase in the export of Fish oil of upwards of 300 per 

 cent. Mustard was exported to five times its former figure and 

 Lamp oil and Ground nut advanced, Gingeley oil and seed remain- 

 ed the same as in 1850-51. 



In 1853-54 the demand for oils of all sorts consequent on the 

 war rose to an enormous extent, the quantity of all oils exported and 

 especially of Fish, Ground nut and Gingeley, increased largely. 



In 1854-55 the demand decreased considerably in consequence* 

 of the large supplies sent the previous year. 



A remarkable specimen of the rise and progress of a new branch 

 of industry is- to be seen in that of the manufacture of Fish oil, the 

 export of which has increased from 3,500 gallons in 1847-48, to 

 7,21,095 gallons in 1853-54. 



From the above summary it will, I think, be sufficiently evident 

 that the discovery or introduction of new articles of produce how- 

 ever desirable, is by no means so indispensable as is so often sup- 

 posed, Efforts should rather be made to extend and improve the 



