III.—Suttringees, or Cotton Carpets and Fabrics.

These fabrics, which are entirely made of cotton, may be considered a cheap substitute for woollen carpets. They are used by every one, European or native, throughout India, and the annual manufacture is consequently very considerable, especially in Bengal, where they form a large and important branch of inland trade. They are of all sizes, from that of the largest carpet to the smallest rag, but generally of one and the same pattern throughout India, the only difference being the colour. Blue and white, and red and white, stripes constitute the prevalent patterns, but in some one colour of darker and lighter hues is employed. In Meerat, Bareilly, and Patna, new patterns have of late been tried with considerable success, but, though preferred by the Europeans? are not by natives, who like the striped patterns because they wear better in daily use, and do not lose the freshness of colour by washing. The principal localities where suttringees are manufactured are Agra, Bareilly, Patna, Shahabad, Beerbhoom, and Burdwan. Those manufactured at Agra are considered the best, and the value of its annual production about £10,000. In Shahabad, the quantity manufactured last year was nearly £7,000; and the same may be assumed to have been produced in the other places above-mentioned. Suttringees vary in price according to size and quality. The small ones are valued from 3s. to 15s., and the larger ones (carpet size) from £1 10s. to £4, the price in many cases being regulated by weight.