JUZAFFARPUR. 81 in the section of this article dealing with the physical aspects briefly inentions the prevailing crops in the different tracts of the District. Certain figures regarding special crops, such as poppy and tobacco, are given below. Manufactures. --The chief manufactures of Muzaffarpur District are indigo, saltpetre, opium, and tobacco. Such otlier manufactures as exist are merely conducted to the small extent required for home consuniption. Indigo cultivation was carried on in Muzaffarpur District in 1876–77 (the latest year for which statistics are available) at 32 factories and 38 out-works, on an area of 77,719 bighás (the local highứ being 4225 square yards), at an outlay returned at £190,943. The out-turn amounted to 8358 maunds in 1876–77, an unfavourable year for indigo. Saltpetre refining, under a system of licences, is an important manufacture. In 1876–77, the number of licences granted amounted to 16,486. The saltpetre refiners derive very large profits from their business, as they buy crude saltpetre at low rates (1.6. from 45. to os. per maund) from the Nuniyás or makers, refine it by a cheap and easy process, and sell it in Calcutta, probably making a profit of more than cent. per cent. Each Nuniya family earns an average of about 125. a month during six months of the year ; but after deductions for rent and certain exactions, the earnings must be reduced to Ss. a month. The Nuniyás, though the most industrious and honest class in the District, are the poorest of all workmen. Poppy was cultivated on 57,577 highás in 1876–77, yielding a total out-turn of 6367 maunds of opium. The average out-turn per bighá is a little under 9 lbs., which, at the Government rate of 5s. per lb., gives the cultivator a return of about £2, 55. per bighé. The out-turn varies very greatly in the Hájípur Sub-division from 4 to 40 lbs. per bighi, the average being about 12} lbs., as against an average of about S lbs. for the rest of the District. The rates of rent for poppy lands vary from 45. to zos. per bighá. In the poorer lands the cultivation is hardly profitable ; but many cultivators grow a small patch of opium, more for the sake of the protection they receive from the Opiuin Department, than for the profits derived from the cultivation. On the other hand, the profits on good lands are very large, sometimes as high as £5 or £6 per bighá. Tobacco is grown on an area estimated at 20,000 bighás, the average cost of cultivation being put down at £2, and the average yield at 12 maunds per bighi. Tobacco is a very exhausting crop, and the land for its production requires to be changed every two or three years. The scarcity of manure renders it doubtful whether it will be found practicable to introduce tobacco cultivation on a large scale in Muzaffarpur, except in the vicinity of towns, where night soil can be purchased. The VOL. X.
