Labour i very cheap at prose this area because of the quaritit copper in circulation, and village labour ws still reckoned in terms of copper or grain. One Mex. dollar at present changes for over 8,000 copper cash. Markel produce and gra ice ruling two years ago. The wheat crop now ripening is Sad to be above the average so thal 0 scarcity of food ix anticipated. ago a great deal poppy wax grown but although an opium tax of $8 per mow was pay when sown, an order' for its total destruction was put into effect before it was harvested. There is practt= poppy land this year.
Frequent spring showers have favoured the new. cotton crop and the seed has had a good start which snaily insures a crop. For some Fs sericulture has been neglected ecause there has been a. poor market for such products. This year, however, there is a distinct revival The mulberry leaves are being stripped from the trees once again.
Dry land rice growing is meeting with considerable. success, especially fu the light soil of the Chin River. Although a little darker in colour than the water grown rice it is a Rood food product and gives a satis-yield Merchants are complaining of the oer markets and low prices since the Chinese "New Year. Foreign imported goods and goods from the industrial centres are very high in price compared with local products. Grain and cotton are cheap and because of peaceful conditions the village and hand industries are improving and increased trading "dent at the local fairs. Freedom from unrest and banditry has made a big difference for-vi time:
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.