PART 1.] 
Hughes : On raw materials. 
21 
of imported iron, have tended to reduce the margin of probable failure to such proportions 
that the prospect of the successful manufacture of iron has emerged from the region 
of speculation. Nevertheless, the caution recommended by Mr. Bauerman to the Government 
of India before going into any projects for the erection of works is very judicious; it being 
undeniable that the Subject of lluxes is a most essential point to enquire into. 
Kunkur assays .—With a view to throw some light upon the application of kunkur, 
I have lately made a few trial assays at the Mint which I will refer to in detail farther on. 
I obtained a very fair slag; but it must bo remembered that the assays were conducted under 
a favourable combination of circumstances unattainable in a furnace, and that before the 
practical adaptability of kunkur can be pronounced upon, experiments on a more extensive 
scale ought to be carried out. The result of the small trials in so far answers a useful 
purpose, that it indicates a possible substitute for rock-limestone, and can bo accepted as 
some measure of the value of kunkur. 
Proposed trials .—I propose at the end of the field-season operating upon a few tons 
of raw material, varying the proportionate quantities of kunkur, ore and coal; and I cannot 
but anticipate that the deductions from such experiments will be useful. I am happy to 
say that I have already received offers of assistance and the loan of a cupola from Hon’ble 
J. M. Itobinson, of the Bengal Coal Company, and Colonel II. Hyde, It. E., to the latter 
of whom I am already indebted for facilities afforded me at the Mint during my preliminary 
assays. 
Although my more special attention was directed to the subject of fluxes, I was in 
addition instructed to point out the most favourable position for erecting furnaces; to 
institute enquiries about furnace materials; to make some sort of estimate as to the quantity 
of iron-ore available; and to confirm or modify the opinion entertained of certain coals in 
the western part of the field. For the sake of convenient reference I propose to notice each 
section of my enquiry under these different heads. And first as to coal. 
Coal. — I presume it is unnecessary to adduce evidoneo in proof of the enormous amount 
of coal which exists in the Baniganj field. There is perhaps no area of similar size in the 
whole world which can compare with it for actual thickness of the seams. The coal, however, 
is not so good in quality as it might be; hut I believe better will be discovered as the field 
becomes progressively developed. 
Weal- point of Indian coal: its ash .—The weak point of our Indian eoal is the amount 
of inorganic matter that it contains as compared to good English and Welsh eoal; but lately 
two samples have been received at the Geological Survey Office, one from Sanpur near Nirsha, 
and the other from Bahmandiha, near Niamatpur, which contain only 8'9 and 8’7 per cent, 
of ash respectively. The average percentage is 15. 
Nothing more than an ordinary analysis of these coals has boon made, and their 
composition is— 
0 
Sanpur. 
Bahmandiha. 
Carbon 
64-3 
57-8 
Yolatilo matter (iuclusivo of water) 
26-8 
335 
Ash 
8-9 
8-7 
* 
100-0 
100-0 
Both are said to coke ; and as they are remarkably 
clean, they 
ought to he brought more 
into use. At present I believe they are scarcely worked. The Sanpur coal is burdened with 
a cartage freight of six miles and a toll; but the Bahmandiha seam has no serious drawback 
