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2 become the great highway for the export trade of the Punjab; and that
3 upon this trade, more than -upon any other circumstance, the material
4 future of this Province will depend. Still it must be admitted that the
5 navigation of the rivers is not as yet efficient or satisfactory, that we
6 found it at the lowest ebb under preceding rulers, and that we have but
7 slightly improved it ; that the complete navigability
8 of the rivers is doubtful, and that the whole
9 subject is surrounded with difficulties. If ever these difficulties should
10 be really overcome, either by the means at the disposal of the Govern-
11 ment, or by the application of European science, enterprise and capital,
12 there will be a great future in store, and a good time coming, for the
13 Punjab. The productive capacity of the country, the excessive glut of
14 cereals, the want of inter-communication and of an outlet for export,
15 the strong tendency of the trade towards Kurrachee, the natural Port,
16 have been explained in the Chapters on Land Revenue and on Railroads.
17 Tt is down the valley of the Indus, whether by land or water, that the
18 surplus produce of the Punjab must find its vent.
19 120. The exports of the Punjab by water carriage down the Five
20 Punjab Exports by Rivers at present consist of cereals, indigo, sugar,
21 water, cotton, linseed, rice, saltpetre, wool, oil-seed,
22 spices, silks. The return traffic consists of piece-goods, spices, dye-wood,
23 European stores, and bullion. This trade is susceptible of vast deve-
24 lopment, not only as regards variety of articles, but also as to quantity, if
25 adequate means of transit were provided. At present, it depends upon
26 country boats and the steam-vessels of the Indus Flotilla. There are
27 - no sufficient means of land transport.
28 121. Now, as regards the native boats, their construction is primitive,
29 though there is no want of timber which can be,
30 and is-largely floated down the rivers from the
31 Himalayn Hill sides. A boat of this description costs Rupees 500 or 600
32 (£ 50 or 60), will ordinarily hold 400 matinds or 14 tons, or 600 maunds
33 or 21 tons if heavily laden. The boats are flat-bottomed ; they probably
34 never draw less than 23 feet of water, unless very lightly laden ; if heavily
35 laden, they will draw 4 or 5 feet. They manage to pass down the
36 Five Rivers from. the Northern marts at all seasons. During the two
37 months when the water is shallowest, namely, from 15th November to
38 15th January, their cargoes are kept lighter than usual. But even in
39 As yet defective,
40 Native country boats.