"دليل بلاد فارس، المجلد I ويشمل محافظات أستراباد، شاهرود-بوستان، خراسان، وسيستان" [ظ‎‎٢‎٣‎٢] (٧٢٢/٤٧١)

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Russia furnishes these. Their own manufacturers supply them with coarser
articles, as bottles, phials, and £ karabahs.
Earthenware.—I have no particular knowledge of the kinds that pay; but
as there is a good deal imported from China itself, by the way of Bukhara
and India, I have no doubt that coffee and tea cups, plates, dishes, &c.,
of showy but not very expensive British china, would answer well.
It surely could be imported cheaper than that from China.
Medicines of European composition are not much used by the native
physicians ; but a few of the patent medicines and cordials, as essence
of peppermint, cherry brandy, and other liquors under that name,—and
I daresay Ce Velno^s vegetable syrup and Dr. Solomon s balm of Eilead,
would answer extremely well.
The metals beino 1 heavy for land carriage, will always be more advant-
ageously imported by Russia; but they come from India, both by land
aSd sea. The steel of India is greatly preferred to any other. Iron is
made in several parts of Persia ; but foreign metal is much preferred. It
is to be remembered that iron is a metal comparatively but little used in
these countries.
Copper in sheets is much used, being, I believe, principally imported
from Russia, but partly from India. Tin is sent from the latter place
also.
Cochineal is an article of dyeing stuff, greatly used in spite of its high
price in Persia. Hitherto it has chiefly been sent by Russia, and has sold
as hich as 150 tumans per pud of 40 lbs. (about ‘‘ll. to 1/. 6s. 8d. a pound,
English). It was as low as 100 tumans when I was in the country. Prob
ably it might be afforded a good deal cheaper, if sent direct from the
importing countries in which case the demand would increase, as the dye
is verymuch admired.
Indigo, which comes entirely from India, is consumed to a great and
increasing amount. It comes chiefly by sea via Bushahr, but also finds its
way across the country by Kabul and Balkh to Bukhara, and from
thence, or by Herat, to Persia. Nearly 1,100 chests of 250 lbs. each were
imported via Bushahr in the year ending 31st May 1821.
Spices form a branch of considerable consequence among Indian
imports; but they are not extensively consumed in Persia, so that it will not
probably increase.
Sugar and sugarcandy form one of the most important branches
of the trade between India and Persia. Although Mazandaran yields
a coarse sugar, and there is a little, I believe, produced in Khuzistan
and the low country about the Karun and Tigris; and though, I believe, the
Russians may import a little refined sugar, the chief supply of this
great article of Persian consumption comes from India. It is a curious fact,
that a country which consumes so much of this article, and possesses so
much soil fitted for its growth, should continue to be dependent upon foreign
countries for its supply.
Black lamb and sheepskins form a chief and very important article
of trade between Persia and Bukhara. Since the commencement of the
present kiug^s reign the nation Las adopted the black lambskin cap,