part 4.] Hughes: Iron deposits of Chanda, Central Provinces. 
79 
and Bandar* ought to determine the question. I do not entertain the idea that there 
is any present chance of profitable blast-furnaces being erected in the Chanda district. 
We have a long pupilage to go through before we can work successfully with such coal as 
has hitherto been found in the Wardlia valley field. It may, therefore, perhaps ho urged 
that if this be the case, there is no immediate necessity for proving the ground which 
I have pointed out. But I am writing with the full knowledge that there is a boring 
establishment at Warora, and that possibly if the present opportunity of profiting by 
it be neglected, many years may elapse before mechanical means are again available for 
purposes of exploration. Should the borings which I recommend be carried out, we shall 
gain positive knowledge in reference to the rocks, and if there be no coal, we shall not be 
indulging in vain speculations regarding the utilization of the iron ore deposits to which 
I have drawn attention. 
The native furnaces of Chanda are somewhat taller and larger than those commonly in 
use in Bengal. Several that I measured were nearly 6 feet in height, owing to a prolongation 
upwards of the front face of the furnace, the use of which is to back up the ore around the 
feed-hole. The height of the actual working shaft varies from 4’ 6" to 5 feet. 
The section of the furnace is that of a cone, its internal diameter diminishing from 
T6” at a height of six inches above the hearth to three quarters of a foot at a height of 
36 inches above it. 
The hearth, as is usual, slopes from behind forwards, and the bloom is taken out through 
the face. 
The twyers are 9 inches long, 11 inches in diameter at the larger opening, and fths of an 
inch at the smaller. The bellows for producing the blast are usually worked by hand. 
I need not refer to the method of smelting, further than to say that it is similar to the 
mode in use in other parts of India, and I will now give the results and details of the six 
experiments which Major Glasfurd undertook to have made. 
Three experiments were conducted in the Miihl TahsD, at Chikli, Gulab-bhuj and 
Metegaon ; and three in the Brahmapuri Talisil, at Armori, Dewalgaon and Injhewara:— 
Village. 
Iron ore 
used. 
Charcoal 
used. 
Iron 
yielded. 
Cost of iron 
ore and char¬ 
coal used. 
Value of iron. 
Wages of 2 
men. 
Seers. 
Seers. 
Seers. 
Es A. P. 
Es. A. P. 
Es. A. P, 
Muhl .— 
Chikli. 
49 
82 
171 
0 9 0 
10 0 
0 4 0 
Gulab-bh&j . 
65 
88 
131 
0 9 0 
0 13 0 
0 4 0 
Metdgaon . 
72 
90 
214 - 
0 9 0 
13 0 
0 4 0 
Brahmapuri .— 
Armori. 
37 £ 
68 
12 
0 4 6 
0 9 7 
0 3 2 
D6walgaon . 
52 
114 
12 
0 4 6 
0 8 10 
0 3 2 
Injhewara . 
44 
88 
121 
0 5 10 
0 10 0 
0 3 2 
In these returns there is a great discrepancy in the price paid for charcoal and ore in the 
Mhul and Brahmapuri Tahsils. Compare, for instance, Chikli (49+82 seers for 9 annas) 
Morcpab: Long. 79° 21' East; Lat. 20°33' North. 
Bandar, Long. 79"21' East; Lat. 20° 30' North, 
