4 The Natron Lake of Loonar. [no. 1, new series, 



lake by dealers, who carry it to considerable distances in bamboo 

 baskets, and retail it. 



The lake has not been worked regularly since 1836, twenty 

 years ago. A detailed statement* of the re- 

 H Sdt Trad? 6 sults then obtained, is appended for the in- 



formation of the General Committee. From 

 this carefully prepared table, it will be seen, that 2,136 candies of 

 the several kinds of salt were raised, each candy being equal to 

 240 seers. The aggregate value of the whole being Rups. 60,081, 

 of which sum, the Government (Native) share amounted nominally 

 to 45,000. Since then, Major Johnston informs me, the lake has 

 not been worked, and the salts are consequently in great demand, 

 so much so, that inferior substitutes for the salts, supposed to be 

 obtained from vegetable productsf are procured from Bombay and 

 sold in both Berars. Last year (1855) Major Johnston, as an ex- 

 periment,;]; raised from the lake 35 candies of the several descrip- 

 tions of salt, the value of which amounted to Hyderabad Rupees 

 1,461-4, the expense of raising, &c. to Rupees 522-9-9 leaving 

 a profit to Government of Rupees 938-10-3 equal to about 

 Rupees 26 per candy. 



The suggestions which have been proposed for increasing the 

 Suggestions under con- productiveness and revenue of the lake, and 



siderationfor enhanc- w hich are at present under consideration may 

 ing the revenue of A J 



the Lake. be stated briefly to consist of — 



1. — Contrivances for preventing the flushing of the lake with 



water, supplied by the main-feeder, and by the several 

 streams from the surrounding water shed — such as bunds 

 and channels. 



2. — Means for raising the salt with facility, and in due quanti- 



ty — such as dredging machines. 



3. — Means for procuring the salts in greater purity — such as 



evaporating pans. 



4. — Means for protecting and preserving the salt raised — such 



as sheds, store-rooms, &c, with careful supervision by 

 trustworthy Government officials. 

 * Vide Appendix No 1. 



t Impure carbonates of potass from burnt wood probably. 

 % Vide Appendix No. 2. 



