52 



Oils of Southern India, [no. 5, newseries, 



port, is now becoming a large article of produce and export trade, 

 the oil however still continues to be imported from England, for the 

 public service and private use. Trials have been made of the relative 

 value of oil, obtained from seed grown in the country, and of the im- 

 ported article, the results of which, have established the perfect 

 similarity of the two products, there are however several precau- 

 tions to be observed, in the preparation of this oil, the neglect of 

 which has caused the country article to be less esteemed. The oil 

 must be obtained perfectly pure, and unadulterated by the admix- 

 ture of any greasy oil,which would of course destroy its drying qualities 

 and render it useless for paint, it should not therefore be prepared in 

 a press which has been used for other oils, unless it has been 

 first thoroughly cleansed, a matter of some difficulty with the ordi- 

 nary native press. To render the oil drying, the process although 

 very simple, is one which requires some practice to succeed fully. 

 It is generally effected by boiling lOOlbs. of Linseed oil with lib. 

 litharge, and maintaining the mixture for an hour at a temperature 

 of 100. Cent. Indian oil thus prepared, is perfectly equal to that 

 obtained from England for paints and varnishes. The imports of 

 Linseed oil, and the exports of seed for the last six years, have been 

 as follows. 



OIL IMPORTED. 



In 1849-50 Gallons. 1,311 value Rs. 2,623 from England 



1850-51 





2,832 



6,358 ' do. 



1851-52 



» 



2,823 



5,978 do. 



1852-53 





4,552 



8,763 do. 



1853-54 



.. i 



' 6,505 

 237 



13,060 do. 

 474 from Indian ports. 



1854-55 





2,879 

 668 



SEED 



5,270 from England. 

 1,883 from Indian ports. 



EXP0ETED. 



1849-50 



Cwt. 



401 



value Rs. 1,539 



1850-51 



?> 



801 



2,271 



1851-52 



9> 



1,067 



2,927 



1852-53 



J> 



1,106 



3,275 



1853-54 



5» 



2,898 



9,588 



1854-55 Quarters 



293 



5,914 



