The Hickman courier., 1877-06-08
THE IND USTRIES OFINDLA.
English jealousy and DistrHst OF Russia
Partially Explained.

English jealousy and DistrHst OF Russia
Partially Explained.
The recent reports of the East India
company, touching the production of
India and its capacities for manufacture
ing industries, furnish at least one verv
sufficient reason to account for the ieal-
ousy with which England watches every
movement of Russia that may damage
or even menace her Asiatic possessions.
From these reports it would appear not
only that India has made rapid strides
during the past few years, but that she
destined to be a great commercial en-
pire, and the focus and distributing
point for all Asia. Some of the statis-
tical information in these reports are of
extraordinary interest. Twenty years
ago India had only three cotton mills.
In Bombay island alone there are. now
thirty-one, and in a short time the
presidency will have fifty in operation,
owned by natives, and schemes of the
same nature are contemplated in Madras,
the central provinces and Nizam, so that
before long the HindOOs Will be COM
peting with the English in the cotton
markets of the east. The same rapid
development characterizes other articles
of commerce. Thirty years ago chin
chona cultivation, from which we obtain
quinine, was only a theory, and now
there aIe millions o. trees in the gardens
of Sikkim and the NeiIgherries. In
1850 they were experimenting with tea
ten years afterward the export amounted
to 100000 pounds; and now Assam
rivals China with IAN export of twenty
four times the quantity, and yet the
Indian tea trade is only in its youth.
In 1857 the exports of jute amounted
only TO eighteen tons, and now jute is
the chief staple of Bengal, next to rice.
Jute factories are springing up in every
direction, and the exports are 1000. 900
cwt. per annum, valued at 81, $50, 600.
The tobacco production is beginning to
be developed. All that is Eeeded is
skilled cultivation, as tobacco grows in
the utmost proiusion, although, in their
hurry to produce large quantities for the
market, the producers have paid no
attention to the quality, but have shin
ped leaves which are only fit 10 he |
ground up into snuff. The Engli,b
have already suggested to the govern.
ment to make tobacco instead of opium
its monopoly, and are confidently looking
forward to the time when India will
compete with Spain and America in the
European markets. The first SURVEYS Of
the Indian coal and iron fields were only
commenced five years ago, and already
the possibility of an iron industry is
alleged to be beyond dispute.
The coal-mining district of India Is
that OF RaneeguDge, short distance
from Calcutta. According to the gov
eminent inspector, there is no area of
similar size in the world which will
compare with it for thickness of seams.
Eight different kinds of this coal are
ldaPted for smelling purposes. There
ire forty-four mines worked on these
ields, and the railroads and rice steam.
rs are now using their product. Lime
tone of an excellent quality and I'M
limited quantity is found adjacent to sill
he coal and iron fields. With such Dos
Utilities in cotton, quinine, tea, iute,
obacco, coal, iron, and stone as articles
t commerce, and with such splendid ;
capabilities for becoming manufactur- !
lg country, the English jealousy of :
iussia becomes more and more intel
gible. !