And for men without professions, what openings are
there ? The question is difficult to answer with certainty,
for in a newly-opened country so much must he of a
purely experimental nature. Certain things have been
tried* and found either successful, or what is really as
good, found to contain the germs of success—I mean the
grounds of their failures have been gauged and proved
to be remediable. Of those things about which there
remains a great deal of uncertainty may be mentioned
the mineral wealth. There are reports of large quantities
of iron of fine quality to be found in certain parts,
notably the Soh district. Other minerals, too, are in
sufficient quantities to make their working profitable,
and the discovery of fine sapphires leads to the supposition
that other native tales of precious stones among
the mountains are worth at least some attention and
sufficient Credence to produce an active search.
The manufactures are much benefited by English
advice and Supervision, many of them requiring only to
be better known to become in greatly increased demand,
the quality of the raw materials used in such things as
cloths, carpets, silks, etc., and the perfection of the hand
work making them certain of a favourable verdict
wherever showfi, however great the number of
competitors.
In the matted of fruits, vegetables, and crops;
generally, the transport must be considered, and the
question is a mighty complicated one. The enormous
expense and difficulties in the way of making a railway
into the Maharajah’s domain put it—in the estimation
of most of the competent authorities—out of the region
of practical enterprise, but a very great deal might be
done towards improving the present direct road. I t is
seldom closed even in the hardest winters for more than
a day or two, and if a better method of keeping it in
repair could be devised and a regular service of runners
instituted, much could be done towards supplying India
with excellent and cheap fruits, nuts, and vegetables,
and their sale would bring in a large return to the
growers. Even under present conditions with a limited
market, and no system of co-operation, fruit and vegetable
raising is one of the most profitable industries in
the valley, and a huge jam and fruit-preserving factory
promised to be a real success, the dearness of sugar
and tins being counterbalanced by the cheapness of fruit
and labour, till, hampered by the want of competent
overseers in the absence of its European head, the
business has, for the time, fallen to the ground.
In the near future probably the most paying concerns
in Srinagar will be the vineyards and hop gardens. The
French vines, originally introduced during Ranbir
Singh’s reign, did not prove a success, phylloxera being
the chief enemy. Others were then brought from
America, and, judging by the quality of the wine produced,
in spite of the youth of the plantation, and the
low price at which they can afford to sell, it should
be a great success. Apple brandy is especially
in demand, and is a very delectable beverage
among the snows. I t is difficult, indeed, not to regret
its popularity among the natives, for if they understand
moderation in such things, they certainly do not practise
it. The hops have been an even greater success than
the vines, and are largely grown round Soper, and if
once the country people take up their cultivation it will
become a very important and money-making concern.
Many Englishmen find employment as architects,