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



29 



maund. It was imported into England in 1851 to the amount of 

 608,986 Quarters. 



Some energetic efforts' have been made to improve the cultivation 

 of Linseed in the Punjab chiefly for the sake of fibre. The Agri- 

 Horticultural Society having obtained a grant of money from Go- 

 vernment offered rewards for its cultivation, and a considerable in- 

 crease immediately took place. 



In 1853-4 there were 3,435 acres under cultivation in eight 

 districts, whereas in the next year no less than 19,039 acres were 

 so taken up, and it is estimated that the whole cultivation through- 

 out the Punjab during that season was 50,135 acres producing 

 146,508 mds. of fibre, and the increased produce of seed is esti- 

 mated at 130,000 mds. valued at 160,000 Rs. The seed sold by 

 auction at an average rate of Rs 4-6 per maund of 80lbs." (Specta- 

 tor, Oct. 14, 1856.) 



The following extract from a late number of the " Sindian" 

 newspaper, will give some idea of the progress made in Linseed 

 cultivation in Scinde. 



" We are glad to observe that the growth of Linseed in Scinde is 

 attracting the attention of the authorities. Major Wormald tried 

 an experiment at Jemadar-ka-Landee, and gives a very favorable 

 report,]which has been placed by the Commissioner in Scinde at the 

 disposal of the Press. We have seen a specimen of the Linseed, 

 and the following is a description of its culture and growth. 



" At Landee, the quantity of land prepared for seed was 4,658 

 square yards, on which was sown 126lbs. of Linseed, part on the 

 28th, October, and the rest on the 1st November 1856. In four 

 months the crop was pulled up and stacked ; and the produce was 

 one thousand pounds of Linseed, being as far as may be judged, 

 much above the average yield of flax crops in different parts of 

 Europe, and certainly finer Linseed than any yet seen here. A sample 

 of this Linseed has been forwarded to Mr. Warwick, a merchant in 

 Kurrachee, who pronounces it to be very fine. It is intended that 

 the sample be forwarded to Bombay, when an opinion will be formed 

 on it by competent judges. 



