NASIK 233 occurs in which some part of the District does not suffer from want of rain. Partial inundations frequently occur, and the flood of 1872-when the river at Násik rose over 21 feet above its ordinary level-caused great damage. Recently, locusts have committed serious ravages. Raila's, etc. — The communications of the District have been improved by the opening of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway in 1861, and by the opening of the local Dhond and Manmád State Railway in 1878. The former line enters Násik at Igatpuri, and on the 110 miles for which it passes through the District there are in stations. The latter railway forins a chord line connecting Manmád in Nasik District, 162 miles from Bombay north-east section, with Dhond in Poona District, 167 miles from Bombay south-east section of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway. This chord line is 145 miles long, with 3 stations in Násik District. Besides the railway lines running through the District, there are about 468 miles of good roads. Trade, Manufactures, etc.-Cloth and silk goods are woven chiefly at Yeola, and thence sent as far as Bombay, Poona, Sátára, and Sholapur. 'The value of the annual exports from Yeola is calculated to amount to 15 líkhs of rupees (£150,000). The silk industry at Yeola supports 4000 families. This industry under the Mulanmadans and Maráthás was a monopoly, which was set aside by a decision of the Bombay High Court in 1864. Blanket-wearing prospers in the District, but a former industry of paper-making has died out. Copper, brass, and silver vessels are largely manufactured at Násik itself, and thence sent to Bombay, Poona, and other places. The principal articles of export are grain, oil-seeds, molasses, a little cotton cloth and silk goods, hemp, copper, brass, and silver ware. A great quantity of grain, chiefly wheat, is bought up by agents of Bombay firms, at Lasalgáun, on the railway, 146 miles from Bombay, where there is a permanent constant market. Nearly every day from February to May about 500 carts, and as many more pack-bullocks, come laden with wheat and other grain, chiefly from the Nizain's Dominions. Some of these take away salt. There is also a considerable export of garden produce, onions, garlic, and betel-leaves. The chief imports are raw silk, cotton thread, copper and brass, sugar, groceries, and salt. Before the introduction of the railway, there was (chiefly along the Bombay and Agra and the Ahmadnagar and Poona roads) a large carrying trade through the District. The Banjáras or Lamáns, and others in whose hands this traffic rested, have suffered niuch by the change. Such of them as remain have taken to agriculture. The chief traffic with the interior proceeds through the ancient Thal pass on its way to Bombay.
