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106 ﻿the relief camps and hospitals. In October 1877, the north-east monsoon broke with a fair rainfall, and cultivation at last became possible. The survivors returned to their villages, to commence ploughing with the few oxen that remained to them, and sow the seed supplied by English benevolence. As the year 1878 wore on, despite some alarms of a recurrence of distress in March and April, relief operations were gradually contracted; but it will take many years before Mysore recovers its normal condition of prosperity. It is estimated that one-fourth of the total population, or about a million, were swept away by starvation or disease; the mortality among cattle is returned at a quarter of a million; besides crops the value of which would have been nine and three-quarter millions sterling. The total amount expended by the State on famine relief, as returned by the Famine Commission, was about 70 lákhs (£700,000); besides remissions of land revenue, which amounted to 28 lákhs (£280,000). The invested surplus of many years, amounting to £462,000, was quickly absorbed; and a loan of £500,000 was advanced by the British Government. In addition, a sum of £155,000 was allotted to Mysore out of the Mansion-House Relief Fund.

Manufactures. — The manufactures of Mysore are not of great importance, as the people are mainly agricultural. The chief manufacture is that of iron, for which there is a foundry at Bangalore, besides petty local furnaces. The metal is found in great quantities in many parts of the State, by digging in the lower hills which intersect the country from north to south. The smelting furnaces are of a rude but effective character, and at present supply all the requirements of the cultivators. But the ore is so rich and abundant, that it seems probable that improvements in the process would be attended with profitable results. The annual produce of iron from the numerous mines of the State is estimated at 37,608 maunds, or 1343 tons. The manufacture of steel has not hitherto been successful, owing to the fact that the fusion is imperfect until the metal has been twice subjected to the fusing process.

Tanning is a comparatively new industry, but is rapidly growing. It is mostly carried on by Muhammadans. Paper-making has died out. The manufacture of glass bangles or bracelets has long been successfully carried on at Mattod in Chitaldrúg District. Raw silk was formerly produced in considerable quantities, especially in the neighbourhood of Bangalore. This industry, however, dwindled almost to nothing, owing to an obstinate disease amongst the silkworms. It is now said to be reviving. Among other manufactures, the red morocco leather of Harihar, the blankets of Chitaldrúg, and the carpets and jewellery of Bangalore deserve mention. The dyeing carried on with vegetable products in Bangalore will compare favourably with the aniline dyes of Europe. Cotton-spinning by the hand is almost a thing of the past, and worsted thread has to be