June i, 1882.] 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
1063 
again and again ; the tin enveloping the tea is absol- 
utely purer than lead, and tare can be adjusted with 
the utmost exactitude. There are other advantages, 
but let these suffice. The contents being absolutely 
shut in from atmospheric influences, the net weight 
of the packages do not vary. It is well known that 
the nett contents of chests vary considerably, through 
the drying or absorbing of moisture, as the case may 
be, and this leads to much confusion iu accounts and 
much vexation of spirit to the unfortunate planter. 
Wo trust that this mode of packing tea will become 
more universal, especially for boxes up to 50 lb., and 
no chest need contain more. Thero is nothing to hinder 
each planter having a couple of tin-smiths on his estate, 
to make his own boxes. Wo saw them used on a 
factory in the North- West, half-a-dozen years ago, and 
no complaints were ever made as to deterioration in 
packing. — Friend of India. 
[What we have heard is that from the impossibility 
(alleged) of getting the separate pieces of tin boxes to 
join together with; perfect, closeness damp is admitted 
en rmite to selling market. Will those who have 
used, or who are interested, in tin boxes say how far 
such objections hold good and how they can be ob- 
viated ?— Ed.] 
COPPER IN INDIA. 
In Peninsular India copper ores are found in the 
older crystalline or metamorphic rocks ; and in the 
extra peninsular regions in a highly metamorphic rock 
of an uncertain age. Usually they occur disseminated, 
or in nests, rarely in true lodes, although occasionally 
cracks and tissures of rocks which have becomo infil- 
trated, yield a deceptive semblance. Bellary, Kurnool, 
Cuddapah and Ncllore are the chief localities of 
occurrence in this Presidency. The ores are also obtain- 
able at Somadupilly and Agriconda, in the same district. 
In the latter, large pits made by ancient miners 
are still apparent. Malachite and azurite are found on 
the surface surrounding them. Five or six miles from 
the cantonment of Boliary, Hyder Ali appears to have 
turned his attention to copper mining, but his suc- 
cess was so slight that tiic endeavour was quickly 
abandoned. So recently as last year, an application 
was made to the Madras Government for mining rights 
here ; but the request was not complied with. 
It is to tho district of Nellore that, iu the matter 
of latent copper, must he yielded the palm. Here mines 
seem to have been in existence during the days of the 
early Hindu monarehs, and, when these princes 
were swept away, tho conqu-ring M ahomcdnns con- 
tinued excavations. At Guunepenta, large amounts of 
refuse left during tlio process of reduction are still 
monuments of this ancient industry. Thirty miles south 
of this village, at Qarganpully, old mines of a depth 
of 30 and 100 feet arc to bo seen. In 18:10, in 1S31 
and in 1840, various attempts iu mining were made 
by Europeans, in each cas* with no permanently 
profitable returns. In 18(>7, a request was made to the 
Madras Government that a lease n,Mit h - icn, but 
tho proposal was rejected. The qualilty of the ores 
varies much. Time occasionally specimens containing 
fully 75 per cent, of copper are procurable in Bome 
places, whilst iu others they are largely mixed with 
quartz and iron. Mr. William King, who is well known 
as a cautious observer, states it as bis opill on that 
failures in this district have hitherto bu n duo to a 
want of knowledgo on the part of the operators rathor 
than "to a deficiency in either the quantity .or quality 
of tho ore." Hu classifies the apeoiinena sent to him 
by Mr. Lavolle. who carefully explored mosl ol the 
localities, as follows: — 
A. — Ohrysoeollii {in garnet if emus schsists, of whiotl the 
garnets, though small, might from their colour and trans- 
parency he inlled precious garnets. 
lane 
B.— C 
C— Ohrysooolla 
D.— Copper pyi 
i'.-Ooppor gls 
Should mining 
satisfactory to 1 
to Madras at a 
As far as we 
at present carri 
The import of E 
the industry, o 
out the other d 
country. The 1 
chrysocolla and malachite. 
ferruginous red oxide. 
and malachite in limonite. 
icolla and malachite, 
1 out in Nellore, it is 
ts can convey the ore 
reduction of copper is 
ives in this Presidency, 
is long since annihilated 
it extent, as we pointed 
aruess of fuel m this 
dlowed 
by natives may bo assumed to have been similar to 
that still conducted in certain native states. The face 
of the rock in which working is to be commenced 
is split by use of heat, and is subsequently worked 
in narrow tunnels by the gad and hammer. The ore 
extracted is pounded into a condition of powder 
rolled into a ball by means of cowdung, and subjected 
to a preliminary roasting. It is then placed in a 
furnace, built partly of mud and fire clay, in which 
the hearth is formed by filling a pit of about fifteen 
inches in depth with common sand. The nozzles of 
two or three ordinary country bellows are inserted 
near the bottom to produce the blast. These furnaces 
are charged with alternate layers of charcoal, roasWl 
copper ore and iron slag — the latter being uBed as 
flux. The slag is drawn off at a hole specially left 
for it, whilst the copper, being received in the sand 
pit or hearth, is removed after cooling. — Madras Had. 
l'LAXTEi: 
: is not chaste, ami your faith is 
ve the trade of your country 
you now as a friend. 
ricks of the. trade" 
■t dismayed — 
For the grocers they say in their own lying way 
Ihat you are unahle to drmk either sole, 
And it takes a few particles mixed with strange articles 
Tea and coffee are bettered, they say, if unfettered 
By purity's bonds; so they cunningly blend 
Kubbish that shall, it is said, suit your palate ; 
Sweepings and refuse of kinds without end. 
Ground acorns and straw, boiled turnips or raw, 
The retailer sells these and a great many more : 
Anything suits your elegant taste ! 
Anil hence an economical law- 
Is established : there shall be no door 
Open in Nature's general store 
To allow such a thing as waste ! 
Coffee and tea should always be 
Mixed and blended until you see 
Only the title (N. 1J.) remains ; 
Sickness and death may both be hid 
\\ it bin the wrapper or under the lid 
But the British public is only bid 
To add to the grnspiug grocer's gains. 
Any litter and dust, all refuse and shaving*. 
These will, of course, nil satisfy cravings 
Felt by even the most refined"; 
For, if only you pay so much per |>ound. 
What can it matter what matter is ground? 
Itlllibish must piuss while fools are found. 
And tin- mixing machine will still go round 
Till reason enlighten your mind 
Ninety per cent of chicory. p»-u* 
Brokttl cabbage stein*. U an*, a (bene 
Ale trilles that vour retailer in J please 
