366 
COTTON CROP IN SURAT, BROACH, POONA, &c. 
sixia is separated, and perhaps ahsorhins: Carbonic 
acid from lire aimospiiere, it spoiiianeonsly as- 
sumes effloiescenl state in vvliic!) il appears at ali 
times of the year when ilie weather is clear and 
dry, hut in the ijreaiest purity and perfection dn- 
tins the montlis of March, Apiii,May, and Jutie, 
in shoit until the commeticement of the rtiins. 
The efflorescent alkali when Katheied is mixed 
with, atid deteiiorated by earthy and calcaierms 
impurities, besides il is liable to he discoloured by 
the veoetahle niaitei with which it is found iti coti- 
lact, such as the roots of mass and tire decayed 
blanches, and twit's of trin>>aid hushes — the piin- 
cipal object, therefore, in rifmingii is to destroy 
and separate it from such iurpeiFections. 
For this purpose ditfeient plaits may he piir- 
sited; 1 prefei that which follows, beiiiii grounded 
ou actual e xpei intent, and the least expensive. 
A few fields may he selected on which the efflores- 
cence appeals most plentitul and c eun. (I'he 
tvaslieimen always know where such fields are to 
he found,; Let it he gathered in small heaps separa- 
ting as much as possible, the grass and its roots, 
the little stalks of rotten plants, the pieces ofkmi- 
kiir miisi also be picked out ; this will he best down 
in the baskets, in wbich it is to be taken up and 
cat lied to the vicinity of the kiln wliere it is to be 
collected and formed into a mound of a P5ramidal 
shape. I'he ground on which it is built being 
laiseda little so as to ptevenl it being injured try 
the dampness. 
I'he mound during its formaiioit may be tlioroirgh- 
ly beat down by wooden mallets, that it may he 
as solid as possible -iti the course of a lew days a 
lich and beautifully wliite efflorescence will appear 
on its sides, particnlaily on the side most exposed 
to the rays of the sun. This effl iresceuce as it 
torins, may be detached, or rather shaved off by 
a common grasscutters kuipah; it ntay then be 
transferred to a kiln to be calcined aird freed from 
its vegetable impurities. 
The common country kiln is veiy suitable 
for the purpose iutended, only it may be nar- 
rower and deeper in its construction, and of 
a capacity proportionate to the quantity of 
Alka i to be prepared. The calcination must 
be continued until the vegetable matter be 
completely consumed, and the carbonic acid 
dissipated, in short it will become caustic, and 
similar to lime after having undergone a 
similar process. Dry cow dung is an excel- 
lent and cheap fuel, and the calcination after 
it has commenced, may be continued by 
throwing in fresh efflorescent Soda by the 
top, whilst the calcined Soda may be drawn 
out from the air-hole at the bottom of the 
kiln. 
The calcined Soda may now be dissolved 
in clean soft water, and lixiviated so as to 
allow the insoluble matter to fall to the bot- 
tom, and obtain a clear caustic ley or solution. 
This solution may be further purified by pass- 
ing it through a filter of clean river sand and 
charcoal placed ou a wicker basket. The 
basket by means of a couple of crossed sticks 
may be fixed over the boiler, so that the 
solution may drop into it, and the evapora- 
tion may then commence which is the next 
step in the iirocess. The boiling mast be con- 
tinued, adding fresh ley through the filter 
until it begins to appear quiescent and smooth 
on the surface like oil; at this stage, a little 
of the solution maybe taken out and cooled 
on a bit of glass to show its strength by the 
quantity of salt that will remain upon it— if 
that be considerable, the fire may be with- 
drawn; the solution when cool will concrete 
into a mass of Soda of the most valuable and 
purest quality - and after it has been exposed 
to the atmosphere it will soften and become 
pasty, and then by the absorption of Carbonic 
acid it passes into a clean efflorescent Car- 
bonate, in the most advantageous state to be 
used in the numerous manufactures, for which 
it is in such general demand. 
If it be desirable to obtain the chrystalized 
Carbonate of Soda it may be dissolved in hot 
water and exposed to the night air, and if it 
be cold enough chrystals will be formed, which 
if slightly disco) oured will become quite jiure 
and white if spread out for a day or two in 
the heat of the sun. 
I apprehend the refining of crude Soda 
might be carried on under great advantage 
in the vicinity of Agra, because the crude 
mineral may be procured by the mere trouble 
of gathering it - the lands on which it is found 
being barren and sterile and useless for agri- 
cultural purposes ; the expence of fuel is easi- 
ly ascertained, as well as the attendance the 
process of manufacture would require. Aboiler 
such as is used for making coarse sugar, (Jag- 
ree,) would evaporate about a maund of alkali 
every second day, and the river is conveni- 
ently available to transport it to the Calcutta 
market. 
Analysis of a Sample of Chry-Stalized Car- 
bonate of Soda prepared in conformity to 
the method described in this memorandum is 
subjoined, for brevity ’s sake the results of the 
application of the tests are stated. 
First experiment- shewed the presence of 
an Acid either Cai'bonic or Sulphuric. 
Second experiment— shewed Carbonic. Acid, 
no Sulphuric. 
Third experiment. - The same experiment 
with a different test; again the same result. 
Fourth e.xperiment -indicated a small trace 
of Muriatic Acid. 
Fifth experiment— shewed a fixed Alkali 
either free or in Combination with Carbonic 
Acid. 
Sixth experiment - shewed the Alkali to 
be Soda in combination with Carbonic Acid. 
STATE OF THE COTTON CROP. 
We have published in a previous column an 
abstract from the official returns, lately re- 
ceived from the collectorates of Surat, Broach, 
Poona and Ahmudnuggur, of the extent of the 
cotton cultivation within those districts. 
In consequence of the unusually heavy falls 
of rain in Guzerat this season, an idea prevails 
that the ensuing crop of cotton will be greatly 
deficient. This, however,'seems likely to prove 
erroneous ; for, though the destruction of the 
early sowings in the principal cotton districts 
has been quite enormous, it will be counter- 
balanced in a great measure within those very 
districts hy the unusual exertions made to re- 
sow the lands that have suffered; while in 
the Deccan no losses have occurred, and the 
cultivation has more than doubled within a 
twelve-month. 
What the state of the crop is in Candeish, 
Katty war, and the Southern Mahratta country 
we cannot say, as no returns have yet been 
received from them; but it is certain that, 
in all these districts, the weather has been 
most favorable, tind as the causes which have 
led to the improvement in the Deccan have 
been such as operate throughout the country, 
it may be inferred that the effect has been 
equally general. 
The total decrease of cultivation in Broach 
and Surat is stated at 53,608 beegas. Allow- 
ing, therefore, 6 mauuds to the beega, those 
two provinces will produce 9,572 candies less 
than last .eeason. Against this, at the same 
rate of computation, we have an increase of 
2,945 candies from the Deccan. It will not, 
therefore, supposing the yield to be as good 
this year as last require a very great increase 
in the produce of the other districts, to render 
the extent of the present crop fully equal to 
that of the last. - Bombay Courier . 
