Page:A wandering student in the Far East vol.1 - Zetland.djvu/184

128 eastern provinces." The number of wells in the Tzu-liu-ching district is given as "over a thousand," and the fire wells as about a score; while the cost of raising the brine is placed at from 12 to 14 cash a catty, and of evaporation from 2 to 4 cash. "There are altogether forty districts of Ssŭch'uan producing salt, and withered grass, lignite, wood, coal, and gas are all taken advantage of, each as the others are unavailable for fuel." The total output for the province, including "illicit" salt—i.e., salt that escapes taxation—is estimated by Sir Alexander Hosie at not less than 300,000 tons a-year.

When watching the somewhat primitive methods employed in raising the brine, the foreigner naturally suggests steam. But, for some reason or other, steam-power does not appear to appeal to the people of Tzu-liu-ching. Two years before, a steam-boiler and windlass of foreign manufacture were imported,