Page:Madras journal of literature and science vol 1 new series 1856-57.djvu/16

lake by dealers, who carry it to considerable distances in bamboo baskets, and retail it.

History of the Loonar Salt Trade.

The lake has not been worked regularly since 1836, twenty years ago. A detailed statemen^[1] of the results then obtained, is appended for the information of the General Committee. From this carefully prepared table, it will be seen, that 2,136 candies of the several kinds of salt were raised, each candy being equal to 240 seers. The aggregate value of the whole being Rups. 60,081, of which sum, the Government (Native) share amounted nominally to 45,000. Since then, Major Johnston informs me, the lake has not been worked, and the salts are consequently in great demand, so much so, that inferior substitutes for the salts, supposed to be obtained from vegetable products^[2] are procured from Bombay and sold in both Berars. Last year (1855) Major Johnston, as an ex- periment,^[3] raised from the lake 35 candies of the several descriptions of salt, the value of which amounted to Hyderabad Rupees 1,461-4, the expense of raising, &c. to Rupees 522-9-9 leaving a profit to Government of Rupees 938-10-3 equal to about Rupees 26 per candy.

Suggestions under consideration for enhancing the revenue of the Lake.

The suggestions which have been proposed for increasing the productiveness and revenue of the lake, and which are at present under consideration may be stated briefly to consist of—

1.—Contrivances for preventing the flushing of the lake with water, supplied by the main-feeder, and by the several streams from the surrounding water shed—such as bunds and channels.

2.—Means for raising the salt with facility, and in due quantity—such as dredging machines.

3.—Means for procuring the salts in greater purity—such as evaporating pans.

4.—Means for protecting and preserving the salt raised — such as sheds, store-rooms, &c., with careful supervision by trustworthy Government officials.

1. Vide Appendix No 1.
2. Impure carbonates of potass from burnt wood probably.
3. Vide Appendix No. 2.