A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH 
340 
CHAPTER 
July Iff. 
Sugar. 
difference in tlie cultivation of gardens is astonishing; and, although 
water is to be had at the depth of three men’s stature, garden 
ground gives less rent than common dry-field. Very few subsist by 
gardening alone ; and they raise neither turmeric, wheat, nor poppy. 
With a proper colony of Silagutta people, as there is plenty of water, 
much land might be here converted into gardens. It is now waste, 
having too hard a bottom for the cultivation of Ragy or sugar. 
The sugar-candy made here is equal to the Chinese, and the 
clayed sugar is very white and fine. The art was introduced by 
the Sultan at Seringapatam , but was kept secret. Two Brahmans, 
however, of this place obtained a knowledge of the art ; but they 
also are determined to keep it a secret. The price at which they 
sell it totally precludes it from an extensive sale ; as the Chinese 
sugar-candy is now sold at Seringapatam , cheaper than the fine 
sugar-candy of this place is sold on the spot. In Tipped's reign the 
prohibition of commerce with the lower Carnatic made the manu- 
facture of importance. The actual price of the fine sugar-candy 
made here is 10 Company’s Rupees a Maund of 24 lb. or 57. Is. 17. 
a hundred- weight ; and of the line soft sugar, 20 Suit any Fanams a 
Maund, or 3l. l 2s. 7\d. a hundred-weight. The common brown 
sugar-candy, the original manufacture of the country, sells for 5 
Rupees the Maund, or 2/. 105. 6~d. the hundred-weight ; and the 
common brown soft sugar at 3 Rupees , or 17. 105. 47. ; the value of 
the Rupee being taken at the exchange of Seringapatam . From the" 
farmers the sugar-makers purchase the juice of the cane, after it 
has been boiled down to a certain degree ; and pay 2 Rupees for 
the produce of 1000 canes, which will make 2 Maunds, or 80 Seers, 
of Jagory. This gives, 
Of refined white sugar-candy lb Seers 
Of refined white soft sugar - 35 Seers 
Of brown sugar- candy - 22 Seers 
Of brown soft sugar 
The cost of the materials is nearly 
40 Seers 
£-o 8 
- 0 12 
- 0 5 
- 0 6 
-04 
8 
5 
1 IX 
1 2 
6 
4. 
