& SBe5 | T3EW6 Cornell University Library OF THE ew Work State College of Agriculture Cornell University Library SB 251.13W6 hii al andbook to cott wn mann The date shows when this volume was taken. a renew this’ book the vas ab 10 y the call No. and give to librarian. HOME USE RULES. All Boss cunect to Books not used for instruction or research are returnable within 4 weeks. Volumes ‘of periodi- cals ‘and of pamphlets are held in the brary as much as ‘possible. For special purposes they dre given out’ for a limited tine. | Borrowers should not ‘use their. library: _privileges for the bene- fit of other persons. ; Books not needed during recess periods should be retérned to the library, or arrange- , ments made for their return during borrow- er’s absence, if wanted. Books needed by” more: tham one person are held on the reserve list. Books of speciak cvalue and gift books, “when the giver wishes it, are not allowed to > girculate. Readers are asked to report all eases of books: marked or mutilated. Do not deface books By marks and writing. DIFFERENT STAPLES OF COTTON INDIAN COTTON VIZ. 1 BENGAL Gossypuon Indian 2 MADRAS 3 COMMON SURATS 4 PRIME SURATS N. AMERICAN VIZ 5 WEST INDIES, UPLANDS Gossypuun DEMERARA, BERBICE Barbadense MN: SERNA 6 MOBILE & ALABAMA 7 NEW ORLEANS S. AMERICAN iz. 8 BAHIA & MACEIO Gossypaun Porwriana ® MARANHAM & PARA 0 PERNAMBUCO, ARACALI, AND CEARA TL PERUVIAN AMERICAN ViZ. EGYPTIAN samme sixe as Gossypaaw , Barbadence a [long staple/ 12 SEA ISLAND MADRAS versus AMERICA: A HANDBOOK 10 COTTON CULTIVATION, EXHIBITING CONTENTS OF PUBLIC RECORDS IN A CONDENSED FORM, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESOLUTION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA. , BY J. TALBOYS WHEELER, RESIDENT IN INDIA. PUBLISHERS’ NoTE.—This is a very important work, as showing the difficulty of growing long fibre cotton away from our soil; the statistics here given ought to show our cotton growers and brokers how impossible it is for any other country in the world to compete with them in the production of their staple commodity. NEW YORK: VIRTUE AND YORSTON, 12, DEY STREET. 1866. e CRe5\ TIWs CW. 2543 PREFACE, In submitting the present Hand-book to the public, but few observations are necessary. The compiler has simply reduced a mass of matter to a convenient form for perusal and reference. The necessity for such a condensation will he trusts, prove a sufficient apology to the many distinguished writers, whose minutes, reports, and correspondence have been thus abridged and arranged in a continuous narrative. In the last Chapter, however, which exhibits the present condition of the Cotton culture in the Madras Presidency, it has been deemed expedient to present the reader with full extracts from the letters of the Collectors of the several Dis- tricts, rather than with abstracts; as the subject matter ap- pears to be of greater importance, inasmuch as it refers to the present condition and prospects of the country. J.T. W. MADEAS, 11th March, 1862. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I, GENERAL VIEW OF THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY, AND OF THE IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRED IN INDIAN COTTON. Hand-Book to the Cotton Cultivation of each Presidency ordered by the Government of India, page 2; Method pursued in drawing up the present Hand-Book to the Madras Presidency, 2; Three objects sought by the East India Company with reference to Cotton, 4; Boundaries of the Madras Presidency, 4; Physical features of the country, 4; Three modifications of the tropical heat: viz. the table-land, the sea, and the two monsoons, 5; North-east mon- soon, October to April: South-west monsoon, May to Septem- ber, 5; Climate of the Madras Presidency and Cotton States of North America compared: reversal of Seasons, 6; Revenue Di- visions of the Madras Presidency, 6; Revenue systems of the Madras Presidency: based upon the Village Communities, 7 ; Three Revenue systems : Ist, A llage joint-rent system, 8; 2nd, The Zemindary system, 9; 38rd, The Ryotwary system, 9; Ad- vantages of the Ryotwary tenure over the Zemindary tenure and the Tillage joint-rent system, 10; Revenue division of lands; Government, Zemindary, and Inam, 10; Nature and extent of the Cotton soil of India, 11; Four great Cotton Districts: Bellary and Cuddapah to the North; Coimbatore and Tinnevelly to the South, 12; Statistics of the Cotton-growing Districts, 12; Re- view of the three ann onaneels required in the Indian Cotton, 13 ; 1st, Better variety of Cotton : general classification of Indian and American Cotton, 13; Six leading varieties of Cotton, viz. Indian, Bourbon, New Orleans, Pernambuco, Egyptian, and Sea Island, 14; Indian, Bourbon, and New Orleans Cotton compared, 15; 2nd, Better system of Cultivation: Indian and American agriculture compared, 16; 3rd, Better method of separating and cleaning the Cotton: (1) The Foot Roller, 16; (2) The Native Churka, 17; (3) The American Saw Gin, 17; (4) The Thresher, 18; Division of the subject matter of the present Hand-Book, 19 ; Twelve years of Cotton Experiments, divisible into three periods of four Years each, 20; Specialities of the several Chapters, 21. CONTENTS, CHAPTER II. FOUR YEARS OF EXPERIMENTAL CULTURE UNDER DR. WIGUT AND THE AMERICAN PLANTERS, 184] to 1845. Stoppage of demand for Indian muslins and calicoes, but growing de- mand for Cotton wool, 23; Early efforts to extend and improve Indian Cotton, 24; Introduction of Bourbon Cotton into the Madras Presidency, 24; Mr. Metcalfe, an American Cotton cleaner, sent to the Presidency, 1813: efforts of the Madras Government, 1819-1836, 25; Ten American Planters sent to India, 1840, 27 ; Prevailing opinions upon Cotton cultivation in the Madras Presi- dency, 27; Three Planters locatedin Tinnevelly, October, 1840, 28 ; Contemplated removal of the Planters to the neighbourhood of Mr. Fischer’s establishment at Salem, 29; First Season, 1841-49: commenced under Captain Hughes, 30; Reported failure in con- sequence of a heavy monsoon, January, 1842, 31; Sudden renova- tion of the crop: Dr. Wight succeeds Captain Hughes, 31; Rela- tive effects of the Monsoon, the Drought, and the Rain upon the Cotton shrub: difference between the Red and Black soils, 32; Results of the Season of 1841-42, 33; Dr. Wight’s plan of opera- tions : introduction of American Culture more important than that of American Cotton, 33; Harly trials of the American saw gin, 34; Second Season, 1842-43: arrangement of the four Experimental Farms, 34; Three varieties of land, viz. Black, Red, and Allu- vial, 35; Distribution of soil amongst the four Farms: method of cultivation, 35. 6 DR. WIGHT’S NOTES. Drill husbandry : land ploughed and cast in ridges, eight or ten inches high, at intervals of about five feet, 36; Sowing in a furrow of about two inches deep along the centre of each ridge, 37; Scrap- ing out of superfluous plants and weeds, 37; Banking up the ridges, first with the plough and afterwards with the hoe, 37; Keeping down extraneous vegetation until the crop ripens, 37; Native ploughs and American ploughs compared: question of whether American Cotton would thrive without ridging, 38. Results of the second season on the Black, Red, and Alluvial soils, 1842-43, 38 ; Comparison of the growth of the Indian, New Or- leans, and Bourbon Cotton, 39; Reports of English Brokers on Dr. Wight’s Cotton, 40; Oopum (Indian) Cotton, 40; New Or- leans, 40; Bourbon, 40; Third season, 1843-44: state of the Cot- ton Farms, Gins, and Gin-house, 40; Unfavourable results: their causes, 41 ; Comparison of the crops of the third season with those of the second, 41; Fourth season, 1844-45: experiment of treat CONTENTS. ing the plant as a biennial, 42 ; Comparative produce of the four seasons, 42; General result of the four seasons of the experimental Farms : necessity for a rotation of crops, 44; Causes of the suc- cess of Mr. Wroughton’s Cotton experiment, 44; 1st, Influence of both monsoons, 45; 2nd, Early preparation and sowing, 45; Drought and Grate the only dangers to be avoided, 46; Question of manure, 46; Three advantages possessed by India over America in the cultivation of American Cotton, 46; Remunerative demand alone required in India, 47; Cost of cultivation, 47; Further pro- ceedings of the fourth season, 1844-45, 48 ; Mr. Simpson’s report on the districts of North Canara, bordering on Dharwar, 49 ; Soondah: unfavourable from the presence of “ Kunkur,” 49; Soopah : soil favourable but climate unfavourable, 49; Mr. Simpson’s opinion on the failure of the Coimbatore Farms to extend the cul- ture of American Cotton, 50; Recommended the appointment of a practical person to distribute seed and exhibit the gins, 50; Ap- roval of Mr Simpson’s suggestions: his transfer to the Bombay residency, 51; Dr. Wight’s answers to the queries of the Marquis of Tweeddale, 51 ; Superiority of the American Cotton to the Indian, 51; Extension of the improved methods of cultivation among the Ryots, 51; Reluctance of the Ryots to adopt the saw gin, 52. CHAPTER IIT. FOUR YEARS OF EXPERIMENTAL CULTURE UNDER DR. WIGHT IN COIMBATORE, 1845 to 1849. Position of the Cotton experiment in 1845, 55; New arrangements, 55; Mr. Morris reports unfavourably of Bellary: his death, 56; Mr. Finnie reports unfavourably of the Madras district : despatched to Tinnevelly, 56; Dr. Wight’s New Cotton Farms in Coimbatore, 1845: four points neglected in the previous experiments, 57; Re- sults of four successive seasons on a new Farm, 1845-49, 58; Suggestions of the Manchester Association respecting sowing in May and on low soils, 59; Dr. Wight’s reply : 1st, July is the best time for sowing, 60; 2nd, Low Alluvial soils had proved a failure, but low lands near the Coast were under trial, 60. DR. WIGHT’S NOTES. Habits of the American Plant, 61; Four seasons of the American Plant, 62; Adaptation of the habits of the American plant to the Indian seasons, 62; 1st, Seasons on the eastern side, under the north-east monsoon, 62; Monthly mean temperature and mean falls of rain in the Carnatic, 63 ; Cotton cultivation under the north-east monsoon, sowing in September, 63; 2nd, Seasons on the western side, under the south-west monsoon, 64; Cotton cultivation under CONTENTS. the south-west monsoon, sowing in May, 64; 8rd, Intermediate re- gions under both the north-east and south-west monsoons, 65 ; Cot- ton cultivation under both monsoons, sowing in July, 65 ; Large ex- aaa in early sowing throughout the Cotton Districts in the adras Presidency, 66; First Result: India not too hot, but too cold, 66 ; Theory confirmed by a comparison of the temperature of Madras with that of Vera Cruz, Mobile, and Natchez, 67; Rising temperature in America, but diminishing temperature in India during the growing season, 68; Second Result: Carnatic not too dry, confirmed by a comparison of mean rain fall, 68 ; Two raethods of cultivating American Cotton in India: adaptation of seasons, and artificial irrigation, 69; Experiments in irrigation, securing a rising temperature to the growing plant, 70; Five practical sug- Sabai 70; Ist, Choice of soil, 71; 2nd, Preparation of the land or the seed, 71; 8rd, Ploughing and hoeing during the growing season, 71; 4th, Distance between the rows, 72 ; 5th, Treatment of the plant as an annual and rotation of crops, 72 ; Profitable culti- vation of American Cotton throughout the Peninsula, 72. Plans for extending the American Cotton Culture amongst the Ryots, 1845-49, 73 ; Court of Directors order 6000 bales of East India Cot- ton, 1845, 73; Proposition for reducingthe assessment of lands under American Cotton cultivation, 74; Marquis of Tweeddale in favour of the remission, 75 ; Court of Directors decide against the remission, 75; Failure ofthe purchase system as regarded American Cotton,1848, 76; Contemplated establishment of a number of small Farms, 77. CHAPTER IV. FOUR YEARS OF EXPERIMENTAL CULTURE UNDER MR. FINNIE IN TINNEVELLY, 1845 to 1849. Labours of Mr. Finnie and Dr. Wight compared, 80 ; First season, 1845-46: Mr. Finnie’s first impressions of Tinnevelly, 81; Sug- gestion, that by acting as a Cotton Agent, he could inducethe Ryots to adopt the new culture, 82; An Agenc would also increase the profits of both Ryots and Merchants, an double the exports, 82 ; Nothing however would induce the Ryots to adopt the American saw gin, 83; The thresher recommended, 84; Three points in the career of Mr. Finnie: the New Orleans Cotton, the Agency, and the saw gin, 85; Cultivation of Cotton: tour to Courtallum under both monsoons, June, 1846, 85 ; Necessity for co-operation of the Natives : employment of hired labour by the European always a loss, 85; First intercourse with the Ryots: allays fears and sus- icions, 86; Explains the improved method of culture to_ the yots, 86; Mr Finnie’s tour from Courtallum to Coimbatore, July, CONTENTS. 1846, 87; Preparations for assisting Dr Wight in completing the Court’s order for 6000 bales, 87; Mr Finnie permitted to act as Agent : restricted to Cotton ginned and prepared on the American principle, August, 87; Restriction removed, 88 ; Mr Finnie’s first year’s proceedings with the churka, thresher, and gin, 88; Queries submitted to Mr. Finnie by the Marquis of Tweeddale, 89. MR. FINNIE’S NOTES ON COTTON CULTIVATION. Early cultivation of Cotton in America: compared with the present cultivation in India, 90°; Climate discovered to be of more im- portance than soil, 91; Nature of the lands in America on which the American plant is grown, 92; Manure, consisting of old stalks and rotten seed, buried in a furrow between the rows, 92; Cli- mate: very humid at night, but hot in the day, 92; Rotation of crops : alternation with ‘Indian corn occasionally necessary, 93 ; Capital required in American cultivation, 93; Successive opera- tions necessary to raise a crop: cleaning old land and clearing new, 93; Planting, 94; “Scraping” or hoeing, 95; Gathering, 95; Uncertainty of weather: average crops, 96; Expenses of Cotton cultivation: produce estimated, not at so much per acre, but at four to eight bales per Negro, 97; Machinery, gin-house, gins, press, and driving machinery, 98; Price of land: fluctuates with the price of Cotton, 99; Minimum price at which American Cotton could be produced, four pence per pound, 99; Prospects of India: labour in America and India compared, 100; Reduction of the Indian land-tax on Cotton grounds would neither benefit the Ryot nor extend the culture, 100. Mr. Finnie’s second season, 1846-47 : planting operations succeeded at Courtallum but failed at Sevacausey, 101; Mr. Finnie is dis- appointed as an Agent: proposal to employ Government Funds, 102; Mr. Finnie’s second year’s operations with the churka, thresher, and gin, 103; Sale of two gins to neighbouring Zemin- dars: their failure, 103; Cotton brokers rather than Zemindars should be induced to adopt the gin, 104; Mr. Finnie’s proposals for erecting a gin-house and cattle driving machinery in ‘Tinne- velly, 104; Purchase of cattle driving machinery sanctioned, re- lative cost of cattle labour and manual labour, 105; Change in Mr. Finnie’s views as regards the cattle driving machinery, 105 ; Mr. Finnie’s explanation of his apparent inconsistencies, 106 ; Mr. Finnie’s general objections to ie gin discussed by Dr. Wight, 108; Mr. Finnie’s proposition for erecting a gin-house of two storeys: the lower one for the driving machinery, and the upper one for the gins, 109; Hire of a temporary gin-house at Aroo- poocottah, 110; Erection of three gins anda thresher: their effect upon the Natives, 111; Testimony of the Brokers that dirty Cotton was more profitable than clean Cotton, 111. CONTENTS. MR. FINNIE’S NOTES ON THE INDIAN COTTON TRADE. Systematic adulteration of Indian Cotton: transactions between the Ryots, the Brokers, the Chitties, and the European Agent, 112; The Ryot : improvident and helplessly in debt, 113; The Broker ; adulteration of the Cotton by the “ Devil’s dust” system, 113; The Chitty: tricks played upon the European Agents, 114. Conclusion of the season of 1846-47: difficulties in the way of con- ducting the ginning oe at Aroopoocottah, 115; Ist, High rices demanded by the Ryots for their seed Cotton, 116; 2nd, eavy expenses of ginning, 116; Necessity for improving the construction of the gin, 118; Third season, 1847-48 : stage of the Cotton experiment in Tinnevelly, 119; Planting operations : suc- cessful culture of American Cotton in the Courtallum valley, 119; Unsuccessful culture at Sevacausey, Virdooputty, and Aroopoocot- tah, 120; Agency operations: Mr. Finnie requests permission to proceed to England to consult with the Cotton Manufacturers, 120 ; Operations with the churka, thresher, and gin: meeting of the Cotton brokers of Tinnevelly, 121; Cost of cleaning with the thresher and churka as compared with that of the gin, 121; Cost at which clean unadulterated Cotton might be supplied, 122; Re- commends the introduction of small hand threshers and cheap prea 122; Small hand threshers and presses sanctioned, 123 ; r. Thomas believed that Cotton was not adulterated by design, and that good Cotton was often sent home, 123; No market or Agency required in Tinnevelly, 124; Cultivation of New Orleans Cotton, and improved cleaning, the main points, 124; Mr. Finnie’s design for a cheap Cotton press, 124; Mr. Finnie’s sample of churkaed Tinnevelly Cotton equal to American, 125; Madras Government refer the sample to Dr. Wight, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Court of Directors, 127; Dr. Wight’s report, Mr. Finnie’s sample is “‘ good Tinnevelly,” which no one could mistake for American, 127; Large shipment of churkaed Cotton contrary to the orders of the Directors, 128 ; Dr, Wight’s system of purchase compared with that of Mr. Finnie, 129; Madras Chamber of Commerce con- firm Dr. Wight’s valuation of Mr. Finnie’s Cotton, 129; Man- chester Commercial Association pass a similar judgment upon the Cotton, 130; Fourth season, 1848-49; proposed extension of planting operations, 130; Mr. Finnie’s matured judgment against the culture of American Cotton or use of the American gin, 132; Pronounces in favour of the pega Cotton and Native churka, 132; Native Cotton should be first threshed, next churkaed, and finally cleaned by hand, 183; Erection of Mr, Finnie’s gin-house and driving machinery at Sevacausey, 133; Relative cost of the churka, the hand gin, and cattle gin, 185; Mr. Finnie refused permission to extend his operations to Coimbatore, 135. CONTENTS. CHAPTER V, DISPUTES BETWEEN DR. WIGHT AND MR. FINNIE, DISCUSSIONS OF THE MADRAS GOVERNMENT AND COURT OF DIRECTORS, AND FINAL ‘CLOSE OF THE EXPERIMENTAL CULTURE, 1847. To 1853. Marquis of Tweeddale succeeded by Sir Henry Pottinger : breach between Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie, 139; Mr. Finnie convinced of the folly of cultivating American Cotton in India: Dr. Wight recommends his removal, 141; Points of the dispute: summary of the correspondence, 142; Mr. Finnie to Dr. Wight, 7th No- vember, 1848: “I have had great difficulties in ginning, but have induced many Natives to plant American Cotton,” 143; Dr. Wicht to Mr. Finnie, 15th November: “ Your purchase of Chur- kaed Cotton is illegal, your culture of American Cotton unsatis- factory, and your ginning too expensive,” 144; Mr. Finnie to Dr. Wight, 18th December: “ My plans have all been aoe by the authorities,” 145; Dr. Wight’s explanations, 30th January, 1849, 147; General opinions of the Madras Government and Court of Directors upon the Experimental Culture, 149; Minute of the Marquis of Tweeddale in 1847: Ist, To relinquish the Experi- mental Fatm in Coimbatore, 149; 2nd, To establish small model fields, under a practical Agency, amongst the native cultivators, 151; 3rd, To set up small gin establishments, and to keep up ood roads to the ports, 151; Limits to Government agency: the anufacturer should purchase direct from the Ryot, 152. VIEWS OF THE COURT OF DIRECTORS. Despatch of the Court of Directors, 1848, 153; 1st, The Cotton farm at Coimbatore may be relinquished: it has been proved that the right Cotton can be grown, and the price alone remains to be ascertained, 154; 2nd, “Agency confined to practical planters ” may be tried on a small scale, 154. VIEWS OF SIR HENRY POTTINGER. Minute of Sir Henry Pottinger, May, 1849, 155; The experimental Farms have been fully tried, and their continuance would be in- jurious, 156; American Cotton in any part of the Madras Presi- dency liable to failure, 156; Causes of the failure of American Cotton: climate and soil, 157; Dr. Wight ascribes the failure in Coimbatore to the want of humidity, but humidity does not mean rain, 157; The Ryotsshould now be left to themselves, with such aid as the Revenue Establishments may give, 158; Mr. Finnie to remain in Tinnevelly till October, to instruct the East Indian lads in the use of the gins, ete-, 158; Dr. Wight should break up his estab- lishment in Coimbatore immediately, 159 ; Gin-houses at Coimba- CONTENTS. tore and Aroopoocottah to be placed under the Collectors for the use of the Ryots, 159; Unfounded complaint of the Manchester Asso- ciation : the Manchester merchants ought to help themselves, 159. State of Dr. Wight’s Farm at Coimbatore, May, 1849: 500 acres held by lease and 200 acres worked by contract, 160; Application of Dr. Wight to be permitted to sow and gather one crop more: _Yefused, June, 161; Departure of Mr. Finnie from the Madras Presidency, 163; Mr. Finnie’s last letter, July, 1849 :—The gins ill always remain idle after Government ceases to use them, 168; Decision of the Madras Government as regards Dr. Wight, re- versed by the Court of Directors, September, 164; Dr. Wight’s services to be retained: Mr. Finnie’s dispensed with, 166; State of the Farms at Coimbatore, 167; Dr. Wight cultivates American Cotton by irrigation, 167; Postponement of Dr. Wight’s Cotton Report, 167; 1st, Mather’s improved Churka, 168; 2nd, The Manchester Cottage saw gin, 169; Twenty-four Cottage saw gins received by the Madras Government, 1849, 169; Report of the Madras Chamber of Commerce; the working of the Cottage saw gin unsatisfactory, 170; Expense of the Cottage saw gin an insuperable bar to its employment in India, 170; Dr. Wight reports favourably of the Cottage saw gin, 170; Prices of the Cottage saw gin to Natives and Europeans, 171; Favourable re- port of the Collector of Tanjore: subsequently reversed, 171; Favourable reports on the Dharwar saw gin, 171; Dr. Wight compares the working of the Dharwar gin, the Manchester Cottage in, and the large hand gin, 172 ; Relative cost of labour on the hurka, the Manchester Cottage gin, and the large hand gins, 173; Three years’ progress in the Cotton experiment, 1850-52, 174; Colonel Lawtord's cultivation by irrigation in Tanjore, 174 ; Mr. Wroughton's Collectorate Farm at Coimbatore, 175; Mr. Thomas’s opinions upon the best method of inducing the Ryots to cultivate American Cotton, 176 ; Cotton cultivation by Mr. David Lees in Tinnevelly : discussion concerning the right of Chayroot renters, 177; Discussion respecting the purchase of American Cotton on Government account from the Ryots of Tinnevelly, 178 ; Authority for the purchases refused by the Madras Government, 179; Completion of Dr. Wight’s report, May, 1852, 179. ‘ DR. WIGHT’S FINAL REPORT. Stage of the Cotton experiment in 1849, 180; Improved prospects during 1850-51 and 1851-52, 180; Previous reluctance of the Ryots to cultivate American Cotton connected with the existence of the Cotton Farms, 181; Ryots encouraged by their own success to extend the cultivation, 181; Large results in 1850-51 and 1851- 52, 182; Ryots adopt Dr. Wight’s practice, 182; Refutation of the theory that the climate and soil of India are unfitted for CONTENTS. American Cotton, 183; Ist, The theory is founded on the as- sumption that Indian Cotton has succeeded when the American has failed, 183; 2nd, The theory is based upon a comparison of crops grown in India, and of crops grown on the Mississippi, instead of those grown in Georgia, 183; Differences between India and the Mississippi do not prove that the soil of India is inimical to American Cotton, 184; Soil of Southern India better compared with that of Georgia, 184; Climate of Southern India not so congenial as that of Georgia: evil obviated by sowing in August or September, 185; Leading principles of Cotton culture in the Carnatic : sowing before the north-east monsoon, and selection of soil, 185; Objection of native spinners to the soft silky fibre of the New Orleans Cotton, 186 ; Difficulty of separating the seed, and prejudice against the seed as food for cattle, 186 ; Nothing want- ed to secure a rapid extension of the American Cotton culture, but a steady market and a moderate competition, 187; Cotton cultivation on the Coromandel coast: New Orleans, Sea Island, Egyptian, and Brazilian, 187; Partial success of Mr. David Lees on the sandy coast lands of Tinnevelly: error as regards deep sowing, 188; Sandy soils along the Coromandel coast adapted to the cultivation of American Cotton, 188. Sir Henry Pottinger’s Government condemns Dr. Wight’s report, 189; Recommends, that as the Farms had proved injurious, and that as the Agency was no longer necessary, all Govern- ment intervention should be withdrawn, 190; Dr. Wight’s pro- testagainst the conclusions of the Madras Government, 190; Ist, The Government Farms had not proved injurious, but the groundless suspicions of the Ryots, 190; 2nd, The Government Agency had not proved unnecessary, as it removed the sus- picions of the Ryots, 191; Retirement of Dr. Wight: Final De- spatch of the Court of Directors 1853, 192. CHAPTER Vl. PRESENT CONDITION OF THE COTTON CULTURE IN THE SEVERAL DISTRICTS OF THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY, 1853 to 1862. Stage of the Cotton experiment, 1853-62, 195; Survey of the present Cotton cultivation in the Madras Presidency, 196; ist, NornrHERN Cracars, four Districts, 196; (1) Ganjam: produce inconsider- able, but easily increased by money advances, 196; (2) Vizagapatam: Cotton grown insufficient for home consumption and not remuner- ative, 197; (3) Godavari: Cotton supply larger, but insufficient for the wants of the District, 197; (4) Kristna: large Cotton CONTENTS. supply, 198; 2nd, HasteRN PLAIN of THE Carnatic: eight Districts, 199; (1) Nellore: a grazing District, 199, (2) Madras : Native Cotton not grown, 199; Experiments in Foreign Cotton : Mr. Shubrick’s successful cultivation of the Egyptian variety, 200; Experimental culture of the Brazil or Pernambuco variety by Dr. Mudge, 200; (3) North Arcot: Red soil, and cone iene no Indian Cotton, 202; (4) South Arcot: inconsiderable quantity of Indian Cotton, 202; (5) Trichinopoly: quantity of Catton in- considerable: mode of cultivation, 202; (6) Tanjore: Soil not fa- vourable without irrigation, and with irrigation the cultivation of rice is preferred, 203 ; (7) Madura: detailed report from the Col- lector, 204; Soil, 204; Geology and topography, 204; Climate, 205; Seed used and whence obtained, 205; Character of the Cotton plant, 205; Mode of cultivation, time of flowering, weight of Cotton wool per acre, 205; Manure, 206; Diseases, 206 ; (8) Tinnevelly : Mr. Mayne’s detailed report, 206 ; Soil, 207; 1st, The Caresal, or Black soil; 207; 2nd, The Veppel, or Black and Sand: soil, 207 ; 3rd, The Pottel, or stiff clayey soil, 207 ; 4th, The Shevel, or Red soil, 208; Geologyand topography, 208; Climate, 208; Seed used and whence obtained, 210; Character of the Cotton plant, 210; Mode of cultivation, time of flowering, weight of Cotton wool per acre, etc., 210; Manure, 210; Diseases, 210; Mr. Silver’s Report, 211; Queries of Sir Wilham Denison, with Mr. Silver’s replies, 211; Letter from Mr. Hardy, European Agent at Tuticorin, 214; 3rd, CENTRAL TABLE-LAND: five Districts, 215; (1) Bellary : detail- ed report from the Collector, 215; Soil, 215 ; Geology and topo- graphy, 216; Climate, 217; Seed used and whence obtained, 217 ; Nature and character of the Cotton, 217; Method of cultivation, time of flowering, and weight of Cotton wool per acre, etc., 217; Manure, 219; Diseases, 219; (2) Kurnool: a Cotton growing District, 219; Cost of transit: the sole obstacle to increased pro- duction, 219; Improvements in the quality must be effected by the Merchants themselves, 220; (3) Cuddapah: present state of Cotton as reported by Mr. Wedderburn the Collector, 220; De- tailed report by Mr. Murray, the previous Collector, 221; Soil, 921; Weeds, 221; Geology and topography, 222 ; Climate, 223 ; Seed used and whence obtained, 224; Character of the Cotton plant, 224; Mode of cultivation, time of flowering, weight of Cot- ton wool per acre, etc., 224; Manure, 224; Diseases, 225; (4 Salem: Messrs. Fischer and Co., the only exporters, 225; (5) Coimbatore: detailed report of Mr. Thomas, the Collector, 225 ; Soil: Black, Red, and Alluvium, 225; Geology and topography, 296; Climate, 227; Seed used and whence obtained, 228; Cha- racter of the Cotton plant, 228; Mode of cultivation, time of flowering, weight of Cotton wool per acre, etc., 229 ; Manure, 231 ; Diseases, 231; 4th, WesTERN sTRIP OR MatapaR coast: three CONTENTS. districts, 232; (1) North Canara: not a Cotton producing Dis- trict, 232; Report of the District Engineer on the experimental culture of Mr. Kleinknecht, 233; (2) South Canara: not a Cot- ton producing District, 234; (3) Malabar: not a Cotton pro- ducing District, 234; Native States: Mysore, Cochin, and Tra- vancore, 234, Conclusion: general resulis, 234; Four general conclusions, 235 ; 1st, American Cotton can be grown, but the profit is questionable, 235 ; 2nd, Indian Cotton may be improved, but only to a degree, 236; 3rd, American Cotton must always command a higher price than Indian, 237 ; 4th, The demand for Indian Cotton must always depend upon the supply of American, 237 ; Political and commer- cial prospects of Indian Cotton, 237. APPENDIX. PAGE Appendix I. ae ae we as iu i IE. a a ae a ox x III. esi ds ve ss ety xii IV. at me 2 Ns 5 xiv Vv. ea a es He ms XXxVil VI. aes =e es Se ar Xxx VII. ix Ss a oni ai xxxiv InpEx ee ea a Hs bs as lii SKETCH MAP of the Madras Presidency COTTON CULTIVATION IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY, CHAPTER I. GENERAL VIEW OF THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY, AND OF THE IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRED IN INDIAN COTTON, - (1.) Hand-book to the Cotton Cultivation of each Presidency ordered by the Government of India, 22nd July, 1861.—(2.) Method pursued in' drawing up the present Hand-book to the Madras Presidency, 28th Au-. gust.—(3.) Three objects sought by the East India Company with reference to Cotton.—(4.) Boundaries of the Madras Presidency.—(5.) Physical features of the country.—(6.) Three modifications of the tropical heat, viz. the table-land, the sea, and the two monsoons.—(7.) North-east monsoon, October to April: South-west monsoon, May to September.— (8.) Climate of the Madras Presidency and Cotton States of North Ame- rica compared : reversal of the seasons.—(9.) Revenue divisions of the Ma- dras Presidency.—(10.) Revenue systems of the Madras Presidency : based upon the Village communities.—(11.) Three Revenue systems: First, the Village joint rent system.—(12.) Second, the Zemindary system.— (13.) Third, the Ryotwary system.—(14.) Advantages of the Ryotwary tenure over the Zemindary and Village joint rent systems.—(15.) Revenue division of lands: Government, Zemindary, and Inam.—(16.) Nature and extent of the Cotton soils of India.—(17.) Four great Cotton districts : Bellary and Cuddapah to the North; Coimbatore and Tinnevelly to the South.—(18.) Statistics of the Cotton-growing districts.—(19.) Review of the three improvements required in Indian Cotton.—(20.) First, Better variety of Cotton required: general classification of Indian and American Cottons.—(21.) Six leading varieties of Cotton, viz. Indian, Bourbon, New Orleans, Pernambuco, Egyptian, and Sea qiiand 2) aden, Bourbon, and New Orleans Cotton compared.—(23.) Second, Better sys- tem of cultivation required: Indian and American agriculture compared. —(24.) Third, Better method of separating and cleaning the Cotton re- quired : the Foot Roller.—(25.) The Native Churka,—(26.) The American Saw Gin.—(27.) The Thresher.—(28.) Division of the subject matter in the present Hand-book.—(29.) Twelve years of Cotton experiments divi- sible into three’ periods of four years each.—(30.) Specialities of the several Chapters. ; B 2 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [cHap. I. CHAP. I. 1 Hand-book to the Cotton Cultivation of each Pre- sidency ordered by the Government of India, 22nd July, 1861.—In July, 1861, the Governor-General in Council resolved, that one gentleman should be ap- pointed in each of the Indian Presidencies to analyze the contents of the various public records connected with the improvement and extension of the cultivation of Cotton in his particular Province, and to publish the results in such a form as might prove useful as a Guide or Hand-book to persons interested in the subject. The compiler however was not to be limited to the public records of his Presidency. Evidence taken be- fore Parliamentary Committees, Transactions of Scien- tific Bodies, Books of Travels, Special Publications like those of Dr. Forbes Royle, and indeed any work which referred to the prospects of Cotton cultivation within the Province for which the compilation was made, might be consulted by the compiler, and the facts they contained be exhibited with the other facts comprised in the pub- lic records. The Local Officers of Land Revenue or Customs were also called upon to supply official statis- tics of trade or cultivation, as well as any other in- formation which might be at their disposal; Maps were to be prepared by the Public Works Department ; and in short no labour or means were to be spared that were calculated to render each work a complete Hand- book to the Cotton cultivation in each Presidency. Above all however it was declared to be essential that the task should be completed with as little delay as possible ; and upon this point the Supreme Government remarked that “an imperfect compilation, which could be available within the next six months, would be far more useful than one which thoroughly exhausted the subject, but which could not be published till a year hence.”’ 2 Method pursued in drawing up the present Hand- book to the Madras Presidency, 28th August.—By an CHAP. I.] GENERAL VIEW. GEOGRAPHY, 3 order of the Madras Government, dated 28th August, 1861, the present compiler was directed to undertake the-work required by the Government of India. Every facility indicated was fully afforded, and the task was commenced without delay. Fortunately, the great mass of official records ‘relating to the experiments un- dertaken by Government had been already published in the form of Reports and Blue-books ; and the principal manuscript records to be consulted were those which had accumulated after the departure of Dr. Wight from India in 1853. The published records are as follows :— Reports connected with the Proceedings of the East - ndia Company in regard to the Culture and Ma- nufacture of Cotton work prior to 1836. Octavo. Pages 431. Parliamentary Return of Papers, connected with the Measures taken by.the Company to promote the cultivation of Cotton in India, 1886—1847. Folio. Pages 535. Ditto, with reference to the Madras Presidency only, 1847—1857. Folio. Pages 419. Report from the Select Parliamentary Committee on the growth of Cotton in India; together with the Minutes of Evidence, &c., 1848. Folio. Pages 615: Accordingly, it has been found necessary, in the first instance, to make an abstract of all the papers contain- ed in the first three of the foregoing publications, for the purposes of digestion and classification; and then, by means of this abstract, together with a constant and careful verification of the original documents, to en- deavour to draw up a narrative of all the experiments which have been made by the East India Company, with reference to this all-important subject, illustrated by such other information as could be obtained from the different sources, manuscript and otherwise, which were indicated by the Supreme Government ; and ex- hibiting, in as clear and succinct a form as could be attained, all the results that were likely to be of interest or utility to persons engaged in similar inquiries or speculations, B2 4 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [cHAapP. I. 3 Three objects sought by the East India Company with reference to Cotton._-The improvements which the East India Company have desired from an early period to introduce into India are three in number, Viz. :— lst, A better variety of Cotton. 2nd, A better system of cultivation. 8rd, A better method of separating the staple from the seed, and of cleaning it for the European markets. One or other of these objects will appear in almost every paragraph of the present Hand-book. Before, however, endeavouring to exhibit the experiments which have been made and the results which have been achieved in the Madras Presidency, it will be necessary, first, to glance at the specialities of the country; and, secondly, to unfold more minutely the nature of the objects which the late Company have sought to attain. 4 Boundaries of the Madras Presidency.—The Madras Presidency may be described as an irregular triangle, occupying the whole southern quarter of the great In- dian peninsula. Its western side is formed by the coast of Malabar; its eastern side by the coast of. Coromandel ; its apex by Cape Comorin; whilst its base may be indicated by the river Kristna. In ad- dition to this triangle, however, the Presidency stretches outa long narrow arm on its north-eastern corner along the coast of the Bay of Bengal. This arm is known as the Northern Circars, and connects the Presidency of Madras with that of Bengal. Its existence on the map occasions that large blank to the northward of the Kristina, which is partly occupied by the dominions of the Nizam, and partly by the wild inhabitants of an unhealthy tract of hill country which is still only half explored. 5 , Physical features of the country.—The Madras Pre- sidency may be said to consist of a table-land sloping from west to east and from south to north, and sup- ported on either side by a chain of mountains, known respectively as the Eastern and Western Ghauts. Each chain runs parallel with the coast on either side. The Eastern Ghauta rise at a distance of from 30 to 60 CHAP. I.] GENERAL VIEW. GEOGRAPHY. 5 ‘miles from the Coromandel coast, and leave the large irregularly level, and generally sandy plain of the Car- natic between themselves and the Bay of Bengal. The Western Ghauts rise much more abruptly and to-a much greater height on the Malabar coast, and leave a much narrower strip of land between themselves and the Indian ocean. The two chains running north to south gradually unite at Cape Oomorin. Thus the Madras Presidency consists of a large triangular table- land, sloping away from the great western wall to what may be called the eastern mounds; and from the south- ern territory of Mysore, which has a medium elevation of 3000 feet, to the northern districts of Bellary and Cuddapah, where the mean height is 1600 feet. ast of the table-land is the broad sandy plain of the Car- natic; west of the table land is the narrow fertile ter- ritory known as Canara and Malabar. Three modifications of the tropical heat, viz. the table-land, the sea, and the two monsoons,—The whole of the Madras Presidency is situated within the tropics, between the eighth and twentieth degrees of north latitude. The entire territory therefore is subject to great heat, and this is especially the case in localities which are unrelieved by moisture. But the elevation of the table-land in the centre, the vicinity of the plains to the sea, and, above all, the influence of the two mon- soons, very much modify the burning heat of the sun. North-east monsoon, October to April: South-west monsoon, May to September.—The manifestations of the monsoons are so unlike anything that is experienced in the British isles, and at the same time they exercise such an important influence on every kind of cultiva- tion in India, that perhaps a short description may not be misplaced. The monsoons are periodical winds, which about the time of their first setting in bring heavy bursts of rain. One sets in from the north-east about October, and blows more or less steadily for six months. The other sets in from the south-west about April, and blows until the north-east begins. Thus the broad plain of the Carnatic enjoys the influence of the north-east monsoon; the narrow strip of Malabar 6 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. I. and Canara is favoured by the south-west monsoon; whilst certain portions of the table-land between them enjoy a partial benefit from both monsoons. Each of these monsoons brings a supply of rain. The north- east brings less water than the other, but then its in- fluence is more generally felt, as the Eastern Ghants are not sufficiently elevated: to shut it out from the central table-land.. Not so however with the south- west monsoon. That comes laden with a mass of waters from the Southern ocean, and pours a heavy torrent of rain upon the Western Ghauts; but its in- fluence is more or less shut out from the central table- land by the abrupt and elevated wall of mountains. In two or three favoured localities, however, and especially in the neighbourhood of Coimbatore, there are breaks or chasms in the Ghauts, through which the clouds are carried by the south-west wind, and produce a fertility which is not to be found in regions which only enjoy the benefit of the north-east monsoon. The bearing of these influences upon the cultivation of Cotton will be found largely illustrated in the following pages. 8 Climate of the Madras Presidency and Cotton States of North America compared: reversal of seasons— Before noticing the other local peculiarities of the Madras Presidency, it may be as well to compare the climate generally with that of the Cotton States of North America, We have seen that every part of the Presidency lies to the southward of the twentieth degree north latitude ; and we may now add that all the Cotton States of America lie to the northward of that degree, and indeed to the northward of the thirtieth parallel. This difference of latitude is obviated by a reversal of the seasons, the winter of India being taken as the summer of the Cotton cultivation. In other words, whilst in America the Cotton is sown in April and gathered in September, in India it is sown in October and gathered in March and April. bo Or vie SCORrFOCOR Noo ~sTb bb _ COWANH OH 10 Memorandum, showing the quantity of Cotton staple and seed produced in the field near Ootaca- mund from 18th July, 1844, to 30th June, 1845. Bales, Ibs. Cotton wool, Ist Sort .- .. 17 4250 aa 2nd ,, -. «. §& 1250 7 srd_s,, . .. SE 1875 Total 274 6875 Aggregate produce seed Cotton in Ibs. 25,450 75 Further proceedings of the Fourth Season, 1844-45. —Two other events fall into the history of the fourth season. In the first place, Mr. Simpson, one of the Planters, reported on the capabilities of the district of North Canara for the production of American Cot- ton. Secondly, Dr. Wight, in reply to some queries * 1844-45.] MR. SIMPSON ON NORTH CANARA. 49 furnished this year by the Marquis of Tweeddale, en- tered more at detail into the character and prospects of the Cotton experiments in Coimbatore. These cir- cumstances’ will be considered in order. Mr, Simpson’s report on the districts of North Ca- 76 nara, bordering on Dharwar.—In July, mesa 1844, Mr. Simpson was directed to proceed son's letter, to Sirsee in North Canara on the western S0th Sept. side of the Madras Presidency, for the Return * purpose of reporting on the suitability of (18).P.578. the soil and climate in the Soondah and Soopah ta- looks for the cultivation of New Orleans Cotton. These talooks bordered on the Cotton-growing dis- trict of Dharwar in the Bombay Presidency, where New Orleans Cotton appears to have been cultivated with considerable success. Accordingly, Dr. Wight considered that these localities on the very borders of Dharwar would prove equally well adapted for the American variety. ; Soondah: unfavourable from the presence of ‘Kun- 77 kur,”—Mr. Simpson considered that the soil of Soon- dah was on the whole unfavourable; there being in its composition too much disintegrated laterite rock, called by the Natives “ Kunkur.” Some lands, how- ever, were free from this objection, and might yield remunerative crops. Soopah: soil favourable but climate unfavourable, 78 —In the Soopah talook, Mr. Simpson thought that some of the land about. Mundgood and Hullial was favourable to the growth of Cotton; but such lands, he said, could not be easily obtained; and the few that were available were covered with such immense tufts of grass, that they could not be easily prepared. Moreover the climate during the period of culture, viz. from August to the end of March, was not fa- vourable, as a cold wind prevailed which would pro- bably prove injurious to young plants. A climate to suit Cotton ought, in his opinion, to be quiet, moist, and moderately warm. Again, the labouring people in the district were chiefly emigrants, who came up from the country on special contracts and then re- E 79 80 e 50 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [4TH SEASON. turned home. Altogether he doubted whether Cot- ton would grow in Soopah. The talook, it was true, bordered on the Cotton-growing district of Dharwar, yet it differed both in climate and soil; and that part of the Dharwar district which adjoined the Soopah and Soondah talooks for some miles inward, was not under Cotton culture, as the Natives considered that the soil partook too much of the nature of the Soon- dah country. Mr, Simpson's opinion on the failure of the Co- imbatore Farms to extend the culture of American Coiton.—Mr. Simpson next discussed the general question. Assuming that the ulterior object of the experiment was to introduce the American seed and machinery amongst the Ryots, he considered that operations should be commenced in some of the known Cotton-growing districts in the Madras Presi- dency, rather than in unknown soils like those of Canara. Again, he considered that whilst the Ameri- can system and general management of the Coimba- tore Farms might test the fitness or unfitness of the soil and climate of that region, yet they would never induce the Natives to adopt the same system of cul- ture. Indeed the Ryots seemed frightened at the immense establishment at Coimbatore. They never would regard the Planters as cultivators like them- selves; but rather looked upon the experiment as some public work undertaken by the Sirkar, which they could not understand, and in which they had no concern. Recommended the appointment of a practical per- son to distribute seed and exhibit the gins.—Accord- ingly Mr. Simpson proposed the appointment of some practical person to distribute American Cotton seed amongst the Ryots, and to exhibit the working of small-sized saw gins, and dispose of them as oppor- tunities arose. He quoted the success of Mr. Mercer, a Planter located in Dharwar, who had already dis- posed of six saw gins to the Natives in the Southern Mahratta country. He urged that the cost of such an establishment would be trifling in comparison with 1844-45. | NEW OPERATIONS PROPOSED. 51 the sums expended on the experimental Farms at Coimbatore. Finally, he recommended the Bellary district, in the neighbourhood of Hurryhur, as the best locality for commencing the operations he had indicated. Approval of Mr. Simpson’s suggestions: 4,408 of his transfer to the Bombay Presidency.— Consulta- The Marquis of Tweeddale seems to have 0, .4th entirely approved of the suggestions of 1844. Parl. Mr. Simpson, and so also did the Court of (1847), v.382. Directors. Circumstances, however, ap- Pespateh | pear to have interfered with his being of Directors, located in Bellary, and his services were {is tia. p. transferred to the Government of Bombay. 384. Dr. Wight’s answers to the queries of, the Marquis of Tweeddale,—In September, 1845, the Marquis of Tweeddale submitted several queries to 5. wiont: Dr. Wight respecting the cost of the Cot- ietier, 29th. ton experiment at Coimbatore, the supe- September, tiority of the American to the Native mn | Cotton, the extension of the improved 4): P.587. methods of cultivation among the Ryots, and the adoption of the saw gins by the Natives. The re- turn of expenditure was so very imperfect that it need not be produced here. On the three other points, however, Dr. Wight supplied the following information. Superiority of the American Cotton to the Indian. —As regards the superiority of American Cotton to the Indian, Dr. Wight reported that the American was about 20 per cent. more valuable than the Indian, or nearly as 5d. is to 32d. Again, the American seed produced from 7} to 9 per cent. more Cotton wool than the Indian seed; in other words, 100 lbs. of American seed yielded from 283 lbs. to 30 lbs. of clean Cotton wool, whilst 100 Ibs. of Indian seed only yielded about 21 Ibs. of clean Cotton wool. Extension of the improved methods of cultivation among the Ryots.—Upon this point Dr. Wight’s re- port was not satisfactory. He had introduced the American mode of cul iarating and cleaning, to the ex- E 81 82 83 84 85 52 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [4TH SEASON. tent of having invariably carried it out himself. Very few of the Natives, however, had followed his ex- ample. He had offered them American seed to any extent; he had invited them to cultivate for him; he had even engaged to purchase the produce of the foreign seed until its market price could be ascer- tained.* But still the Natives hung back from adopt- ing either the American seed or the American cul- ture. A few Ryots promised to cultivate to a small extent, but none seemed anxious to commence. Even the Ryots who cultivated Mr. Wroughton’s field,— which yielded a clear profit of 700 rupees, after de- ducting a liberal sum for agricultural charges and ginning,—all held back from cultivating the foreign seed for themselves ; apparently on the supposition that the profitable result in that case was merely owing to extreme good luck, and that they had no hope of being equally fortunate. Reluctance of the Ryots to adopt the saw gin— As regarded pinning, equal facilities had been held out to the Ryots. They had been invited to ex- amine the whole process, and had been asked to com- pare the Cotton cleaned by the gin with that cleaned by the churka. Moreover the economy of the gin as compared with that of the churka had been pointed out. But still there were obstacles, and weighty ones, against the adoption of the gins by the Natives. It involved the necessity of bringing from distant villages to the gin house nearly three bullock loads of * The price offered by Dr. Wight for American Cotton appears to have been first 20 Rupees (or £2) and afterwards 15 Rupees (or 30s.) per candy (500 Ibs.) for clean and well-picked seed Cotton; the ordinary price of Indian, seed Cotton as it comes from the field averaging about 12 Rupees (or 24s.) per candy. Dr. Wight how- ever argued that Government would be a gainer rather than a loser by their purchases; for not only would the New Orleans Cotton fetch a higher price in England, but one candy of wool could be ob- tained from 33 candies of seed, whilst 43 candies of Native seed were required to produce one candy of wool when cleaned by the gin. Compare Dr. Wight’s letter, 13th November, 1844, Parliamentary Return (1847), p. 371, with despatch from the Court of Directors, 8th October, 1845, Ibid. p. 384. See also Dr. Wight’s letter, ist September, 1845, Parliamentary Return (1847), p. 392. 1844-46. ] BELUCTANCE OF THE RYOTS. 53 heavy seed Cotton to be ginned, in the place of one bullock load of light wool. Again, the Natives urged that they lost two per cent. more by the gin than they did by the churka; in other words, that two per cent. of the impurities, which remained in the churkaed Cotton, were removed by the gin. Unless, therefore, higher prices were realized for ginned Cotton than for churkaed Cotton, the Native cultivators would be positive losers by the improved method of cleaning. CHAPTER III. FOUR YEARS OF EXPERIMENTAL CULTURE UNDER DR. WIGHT IN COIMBATORE, 1845 To 1849. (86.) Position of the Cotton experiment in 1845.—(87.) New arrange- ments.—(88.) Mr. Morris reports unfavourably of Bellary: his death.— (89.) Mr. Finnie reports unfavourably of the Madras district : despatched to Tinnevelly—(90.) Dr. Wight’s new Cotton Farms in Coimbatore, 1845: four points neglected in the previous experiments.—(91.) Results of four successive seasons on the new Farm, 1845-49.—(92.) Suggestions of the Manchester Association respecting sowing in May and on low soils. —(93.) Dr. Wight’s reply: First, July is the best time for sowing.— (94.) Second, Low Alluvial soils have proved a failure, but low lands near the coast are under trial. DR. WIGHT’S NOTES ON THE ADAPTATION OF THE AMERICAN PLANT TO THE SEASONS OF INDIA. (95.) Habits of the American plant.—(96.) Four Seasons of the American plant.—(97.) Adaptation of the habits of the American plant to the Indian seasons.—(98.) First, Seasons on the eastern side, under the north-east. monsoon.—(99.) Monthly mean temperature and mean falls of rain in the Carnatic.—(100.) Cotton cultivation under the north-east monsoon : sowing in September.—(101.) Second, Seasons on the western side, under the south-west monsoon.—(102.) Cotton cultivation under the south-west monsoon: sowing in May.—(103.) Third, Intermediate re- gions under both the north-east and south-west monsoons.—(104.) Cot- ton cultivation under both monsoons: sowing in July.—(105.) Large experiment in early sowing throughout the Cotton districts in the Madras Presidency.—(106.) First Result : India not too hot but too cold.—(107.) Theory confirmed by a comparison of the temperature of Madras with that of Vera Cruz, Mobile, and Natchez.—(108.) Rising temperature in Ame- rica, but diminishing temperature in India, during the growing seasons.— (109.) Second result: Carnatic not too dry, confirmed by a comparison of mean falls of rain —(110.) Two methods of cultivating American Cotton in India: adaptation of seasons and artificial irrigation.—(111.) Experi- ments in irrigation, securing a rising temperature to the growing plant.— (112.) Five practical suggestions.—(113.) First, Choice of saa Second, Preparation of the land for the seed.—(115.) Third, Ploughing and hoeing during the growing season.—(116.) Fourth, Distance between the Rows.—(117.) Fifth, Treatment of the plant as an Annual, and rotation of crops.—(118.) Profitabl: cultivation of American Cotton throughout the Peninsula. 1845-49.] DB. WIGHT’S FOUR YEARS IN COIMBATORE. 55 (119.) Plans for extending the American Cotton culture amongst the Ryots, 1845-49.—(120,) Court of Directors order 6000 bales of East Indian Cotton, 1845.—(121.) Proposition for reducing the Assessment of lands under American Cotton cultivation.—(122.) Marquis of Tweeddale in favour of the romusion— a Court of Directors decide against the remission.—(124.) Failure of the purchase system as regarded American Cotton.—(125.) Contemplated establishment of 2 number of small Farms. Position of the Cotton experiment in 1845.—Five 86 years had now elapsed since the American planters had first landed at Madras, and commenced their operations in Tinnevelly under the superintendence of Captain Hughes. Of this period four seasons of experimental Cotton Culture had been carried on at Coimbatore, entirely under the superintendence of Dr. Wight, with the exception of a few months at the commencement of the first season. The results, as regard the Minute by fitness of the soil and'climate of Coimba- the Mar. tore for the cultivation of American Cot- ‘tweeddale, ton, have been duly set forth in the pre- ist Oct. ceding chapter. No progress however, Return worthy of the name, had been made in 847) P- 504 extending the American culture and American ma- chinery amongst the Natives. This subject led to much discussion. The Marquis of Twreeddale's Govern- ment proposed the abandonment of the Cotton Farms at Coimbatore altogether; and suggested that opera- tions, like those suggested by Mr. Simpson, should be carried on by the Planters themselves; as practical men, capable of gaining the confidence of the Natives, and of placing before them in the clearest light the superiority of American Cotton, and the improved methods of cultivating the plant and cleaning the wool. Ultimately it was decided that both plans should be carried out; that Dr. Wight should continue his ex- perimental Farming operations in Coimbatore, whilst the Planters should carry on independent operations in Bellary and Tinnevelly. New arrangements,—The necessity for a rotation of 87 crops having been fully proved, Dr. Wight found it necessary to remove his Farms in Coimbatore to new soil. Before however noticing his operations, it is 88 89 56 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CH. III. advisable to glance at the proceedings of the Planters. Mr. Simpson had been transferred to the Pevenne , Bombay Government, but his place was Fort St. supplied by another American Planter George, 8th fis a 5 Dec. 1845. named Finnie, who had been previously Dr. Wight’s employed by the Bengal Government. soph 1815. ‘AGotunaly. Mv. Morte was despatched. tairetss; northwards to report upon the district of Bellary; and Mr. Finnie was despatched eastwards to report upon the district of Madras. Mr. Morris reports unfavourably of Bellary: his death.—Mr. Morris reached Bellary in October, 1845, Mr. Morris’: #00 examined the Cotton lands in the neigh- letter, 27th ~~ bourhood of the town of Bellary, and those Dah Dee. in the talook of Adonie, about forty-three 1845. Parl. miles eastward of Bellary. He reported (1847), pp. that the soil was Black, and therefore un- 415, 414. suited to the growth of American Cotton, which had thrived best on the Red lands. Again, the New Orleans Cotton requires a sea breeze, but there was no sea breeze in Bellary. He next proceeded to the Cotton-growing district of Dharwar in the Bombay Presidency, and there he found that the soil and cli- mate were far better adapted to the growth of Ame- rican Cotton than the climate and soil of Bellary. Mr. Morris however remarked that the Indian Cotton grown in Bellary was superior to the same Cotton in. Dharwar. He therefore proposed that a saw gin-should be erected in Bellary. The suggestion was approved by the Madras Government, but not carried out. Mr. Morris died at Bellary on the 18th March, 1846. Mr, Finnie reports unfavourably of the Madras dis- trict: despatched to Tinnevelly.— Meantime Mr. Finnie had been despatched to the eastern coast, Mr. Finnie’s to Pullicarny in the Madras district. His Oct., i845. report was unfavourable. He had gone taiyreag, over Pullicarny with Mr. Maltby the Col- lector, and found that all the high land was a barren waste, and that all the low land was under water. Accordingly Mr. Finnie was directed to pro- ceed to the district of Tinnevelly in the South, and to 1845-49.] DR. WIGHT’S FOUR YEARS IN COIMBATORE. 57 carry out operations there. Here it will be advisable to leave him, and return to Dr. Wight at Coimbatore. Indeed, the story of the proceedings of the next four years, that is, from 1845 to 1849, naturally divides it- self into two parts; and therefore the present chapter will comprise a narrative of Dr. Wight’s operations in Coimbatore, whilst the succeeding chapter will contain a similar narrative of Mr. Finnie’s proceedings in Tin- nevelly. Dr. Wight’s New Cotton Farms in Coimbatore, 1845: four points neglected in the previous experi- ments——During the four years that Dr. Wight and the American Planters had been carrying re _ on thé experimental culture at Coimbatore, beeen four points had been neglected, which how- Jan; 1848. ever were now duly apprehended: viz— turn (1857), Ist. The necessity for a rotation of crops. P- #8 2nd. The fertilizing effect of repeated ploughing prior to sowing. 8rd. The influence of both monsoons. 4th. The superiority of Brown Sandy Loams (Red lands) for American Cotton. As regards the first and second points, the Native method of cultivation had been superior to that pur- .sued by Dr. Wight. The Natives never drew two consecutive crops of Cotton from the same land; and therefore were enabled to commence ploughing with the May rains, a process which they termed cooling the ground ; and thus they succeeded in getting their lands into a good condition before the commencement of the sowing season in October. Dr. Wight, on the other hand, had been cultivating the same lands every year ; and consequently his picking season was going on when he ought to have been ploughing; and thus he was deprived of the benefit of the best part of the rains, and compelled to sow in what the Natives called “ hot” ground. As regarded the third point, his Farms had been shut out from the south-west moonsoon by ranges of hills; and accordingly had no rain from May till October. Again, his Farms had been situated at such a distance from the east coast that the north-east 90 91 58 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CH. IIL. rains were short and scanty, and the north-east monsoon was cold and dry, being unmoistened by the sea. As regards the fourth point, Dr. Wight had now discovered that the Sandy Brown Loams, generally included under the head of Red land, were better adapted to the growth of American Cotton than the ordinary Black Cotton soil. He had never obtained more than 300 lbs. of seed Cotton per acre from the Black lands, whilst he had repeatedly obtained 500 lbs., and once 1000 lbs., from the Sandy Brown Loams; and indeed it was from this latter soil that Mr. Wroughton had once obtained 1100 lbs. per acre. Results of four successive seasons on a new Farm, 1845-49.—Under the circumstances mentioned above, Dr. Wight removed to a locality, about ten miles to the south of his old Farm, and to a spot which was out of the influence of the hills, and consequently open to the south-west monsoon. The results of the four seasons may be stated in a few words. During 1845-46, one field which he ploughed in May, and which con- sequently was well prepared for sowing in July, pro- duced a crop of nearly 1000 Ibs. per acre. Other fields of inferior quality produced crops of 500 lbs. per acre. Other fields however, which could not be ploughed before September, and which were sowed immediately after ploughing, failed to produce a good crop. The second season (1846-47) was a failure in consequence of the failure of both monsoons. The south-west monsoon did not commence before June, and then the showers were of very short duration ; whilst from June until February not a drop of rain fell. In a word, the whole country was burnt up, and the total fall of rain during the year 1846 only amounted to six inches and a half, instead of the usual average of from twenty-six to thirty inches. The result was of course a very short crop. The third season (1847-48) proved a partial failure in consequence of extreme wet. The south-west monsoon commenced in April with copious showers. The land was thus ploughed early, the seed was sown at the end of June and beginning of July, and up to the middle of October the crops were un- 1845-49.] DE. WIGHT’S FOUR YEARS 1N COIMBATORE. 59 usually fine. Then the north-east monsoon, which had proved a failure the preceding year, brought a rain which never ceased for three days together, until nearly the end of December. Accordingly much of the large crop was altogether lost, and much of that which was harvested was much injured. Of the fourth season (1848-49) Dr. Wight merely remarks that the crop was small. Circumstances, which will be recorded in the fifth chapter, led to his temporary withdrawal in 1849. The more particular results worked out during the four years will now be exhibited in the following paragraphs. Suggestions of the Manchester Association respect- ing sowing in May and on low soils.—In 1847, the Manchester Association congratulated Dr. ; ‘Wight upon the success vhich he had Tumera attained, but considered that he might pie"%3i? achieve still greater triumphs, by sowing eee earlier in the year, and by cultivating a ree lower soil. They said that his New Orleans Cotton was the best that had ever been grown in India, and this they attributed to his having sown in June and July, instead of in September and October. But why not sow in May? The New Orleans plant in its native home in Mexico grows spontaneously, or, in other words, propagates itself; thus showing that its seeds ought to be in the ground at the commencement of the rains,—a season which corresponds in the district of Coimbatore to the commencement of the south-west monsoon in the month of May. Again, the New Or- leans plant reaches its greatest perfection, and yields the best staple, in the low lands of tropical Merion. When taken from the tropics and grown in the low lands of the United States, its staple is somewhat im- paired, but still is better than Dr. Wight’s Cotton; in other words, it is rather longer, more silky, and less harsh. Why not then sow New Orleans Cotton in India at a season corresponding to its own spontane- ous sowing season in Mexico ?—and why not sow it on low lands near the coast, corresponding to the low lands where it reaches its greatest-perfection ? 92 93 94 60 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. ([CH. III. Dr. Wight’s reply: July is the best time for sowing. —Dr. Wight replied to the following effect. Before Dr. Wight’s sowing the land must be ploughed; and letter, 8th the ploughing cannot be carried out until pril, 1847. i 2 Parl. Retwn some copious showers have fallen to soften (1857), P-151. and loosen the hard, sun-baked, and im- penetrable soil. The present Farms in Coimbatore enjoy the benefit of both monsoons. The south-west rains rarely commence before the middle of May ; and then the ploughing begins, and lasts for a month or six weeks. Consequently it is impossible to sow before July. But if we take the north-east monsoon into consideration, we shall see that the middle of July is after all the best sowing time. The plant is of rapid growth, requiring humid weather whilst growing, and dry clear weather whilst maturing. If sown in July it comes into flower about October, when the north-east rains invigorate it, and the subsequent dry season matures it. If sown earlier, the Cotton bolls are maturing at the very time when the rains are begin- ning. The consequence is that the plant is surcharged with sap; and then the Cotton, instead of maturing, absorbs the sap and rots in the capsule. 2nd, Low Alluvial soils had proved a failure, but low lands near the Coast were under trial.—As re- garded the length and silkiness of the staple Dr. Wight admitted that the change was produced by the soil. Native Cotton dealers had long been aware of the fact that Indian Cotton grown on Black land had a longer and finer staple than when grown on Red gravelly soil. But still American Cotton had been more successfully cultivated on the Red than on the Black soil. Dr. Wight however had tried the low Alluvial lands, as more nearly resembling the best American soils than either Black clays or Red gravel. The result established the theory but not the practice. The Cotton produced was of excellent quality, but the yield was very uncertain; as a shower of rain, which would fall innocuous upon Cotton growing on a dry soil, would deteriorate half the crop on a low Alluvial. As regarded the cultivation of lands near the Coast, 1845-49.] AMERICAN PLANT IN INDIAN seasons. 61 Dr. Wight coincided in the view taken by the Associa- tion, and reported that the experiment was in progress ; Mr. Finnie, the Planter, having been located m the centre of Tinnevelly, which was one of the best Cotton districts in the South of India, and within about forty miles of the eastern shore. DR. WIGHT’S NOTES ON THE ADAPTATION OF THE AMERICAN PLANT TO THE SEASONS OF INDIA. Habits of the American Plant.—Some time after- wards, Dr. Wight entered more largely 5. Wight’s upon the subject of adapting the time of letter to Mr. sowing in Southern India to the habits Jumen27th of the American plant. Three things were Parl. Return to be observed :— Eee 1st, That in average seasons, the New Orleans Cotton plant requires from six to eight weeks from the date of sowing to that of coming into flower;. and about the same length of time from the fall of the blossom to the opening of the pod. 2nd, That rainy weather, or even a dark, cloudy, damp atmosphere whilst the crop was maturing, has a tendency to prevent the boll from opening at the pro- per time ; and if the opening of the boll is so checked, the Cotton becomes more or less deteriorated ; varying in degree according to the intensity of the deteriorating cause, from absolute destruction to simple adhesion of the fibres, or to mere slight discolouration. 8rd, That the prevalence of rainy weather during the period of growth promotes luxuriance and productive- ness, provided that the drainage is free ; and provided. also that this humidity is exchanged for clear bright weather at the season for maturing the crop. Four seasons of the American Plant.—The American. plant, like all other plants, must have four seasons, viz.— lst, Spring, or season of germination, when but a moderate quantity of moisture is required. 2nd, SumMzER, or growing season,‘which calls for more liberal supplies of moisture. 95 96 97 98 62 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CH. III. 3rd, AUTUMN, or ripening season, which requires but little or none. 4th, WINTER, or season of rest. In America these seasons of the plant correspond Dr. Wight’s with the natural seasons of the year; but letter, 26th in India they do not. In America the Jan, 1849. winter months are the season of rest; but 1857),p-186. in India the summer months are the rest- fompare Dr. Wight’s ing season. Thus in India the Cotton i spring and summer occur during the rainy 1849. Ibid.’ season, whilst the Cotton autumn occurs Bp. 221. during the dry heat of February, March, and April. Adaptation of the habits of the American Plant to the Indian seasons.—Having thus ascertained the habits and seasons of the American plant in those countries where it has hitherto been most successfully cultivated, it will be next necessary to describe the characteristics of the seasons in India. Here we must take into consideration three different localities, each encountering different influences of the monsoons. 1st, Eastern, or Coromandel side,—under the influ- ence of the north-east monsoon. Sowing time in Sep- tember. 2nd, Western, or Malabar side,—under the influ- ence of the south-west monsoon. Sowing time in May. 8rd, Intermediate localities—under the influence of both monsoons. Sowing time in July. Dr. Wight’s observations upon the seasons in each of these localities will now be mentioned in order; first, describing the actual course of each season ; and secondly, indicating the best method of adapting the cultivation of American Cotton to the course of the seasons. 1st, Seasons on the eastern side, under the north- east monsoon.—The eastern or Coromandel side of the Indian Peninsula is visited by some of the showers of the south-west monsoon, which in this quarter may be called the petty monsoon; but it is more imme- diately subject to the heavy rains of the north-east 1845-49.] AMERICAN PLANT IN INDIAN SEASONS. 63 monsoon. The course of the seasons is accordingly as follows. The rains of the south-west monsoon, which are very uncertain in quantity, commence in the month of July, and continue in this quarter in the form of partial showers only throughout August and September. In October the heavy north-east monsoon commences, and continues with intervals of fair weather until about the middle of December, when the dry clear weather begins. ' Monthly mean temperature and mean falls of rain in the Carnatic.—The course of the seasons in the parts of India more immediately under the influence of the north-east monsoon, may be further illustrated by the following table of mean temperatures and mean falls of rain in Madras, during the Cotton- growing season, as exhibited in the Madras Meteor- ological Register. 5 Po : | | a 2 5 g | c a : 2 . 3 2 p> ; 7 BE] 4% g 3 8 8 EB ae ‘ 4 pe) eel eles ela lelilalg o zeiczaila;jéi/als/al/sl|ealae]aeia { Heat | 846 | 83°7 | 82°2| 789 | 763 | 75°5 | 77°7 | 80°8 | 83°7 Rain | 5°24! 476] 10° | 12°42) 3:25) 1°33] 0°23] 0°36) 0°63| 38°22 Cotton cultivation under the north-east monsoon: sowing in September.—From the foregoing table it will be seen that during the average run of seasons in the Carnatic there is sufficient rain for carrying on all agricultural operations continuously, from the be- ginning of July until the end of December, whilst the subsequent four months are nearly dry. In August and September the showers of south-west rain are sufficient for the commencement of ploughing. From the beginning of September until the middle of Octo- ber, sowing may be carried on. The crops which have been sown before the middle of September will be in a good state for benefiting by the rains of the heavy north-east monsoon. They will thus enjoy a clear uninterrupted growing season of about three months 99 100 101 102 64 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [H. III. and a half, receiving almost every week more or less copious falls of rain. By the end of that time, namely, about the beginning of January, the weather is dry, and continues so for four months. Thus by January the plants will have nearly attained their full growth ; and shortly afterwards they will begin to yield the crop, and will then continue to do so for nearly three months longer. After September the sowing is not so safe, as the north-east rains are apt to be so abundant, that unless the seed has germinated and is above ground, it is liable to rot in the earth from ex- cess of moisture. Towards the end of November an opportunity is usually offered of sowing again for a late crop; but Dr. Wight believed that this late crop would always be uncertain for the following reason. The ground would be saturated with water, and con- sequently the plant would find nourishment near the surface, and would not. strike deep root; the result of which would be, that when the cold dry weather set in, the plant would be impeded in its growth through the conjoint operations of cold and want of moisture. 2nd, Seasons on the western side, under the south- west monsoon.—On the western or Malabar side of the Indian Peninsula, which is more immediately under the influence of the south-west monsoon, the course of the seasons is similar, only they commence earlier in the year. The first rains or showers begin in April and May. The proper south-west monsoon rains, which are more certain and copious here than on the eastern side, commence towards the end of May and beginning of June, and then continue until September. Cotton cultivation under the south-west monsoon: sowing in May.—The sowing season on the western coast should therefore be in May, so as to have the plant well above ground before the commencement of the heavy continuous rains. Unless this be accom- plished, in other words, unless the plant has vege- tated, the heavy rains of June and July would cause the seed to rot in the ground. "Whereas if the plant be above ground, the same heavy rains will promote its growth. Then again, allowing three months and 1845-49.] AMERICAN PLANT IN INDIAN SEASONS. 65 a half for the growing season, the pickings will com- mence towards the end of September, by which time the rains are over and fine weather established.* The picking should continue until the end of the year, unless prevented by excessive heat or a dry scorching atmosphere. 3rd, Intermediate regions under both the north-east and south-west monsoons.—The location of the new farms in Coimbatore was rather too remote from either the south-west or the north-east monsoon. It participated in the rains of both, but not sufficiently so to enable Dr. Wight to trust entirely to either for his crop. The south-west monsoon however seems to be the one of which the influence was the most felt. The first rains fell in April and May, and the bulk of the monsoon in June and July, with occasional show- ers in August and September. In October the north- easterly rains set in, but rarely exceeded a few days’ duration. November is usually a clear warm dry month. In December, cold dry parching winds set in, and continue with more or less intensity until February, when they give place to soft humid westerly breezes. Cotton cultivation under both monsoons: sowing in July.—Under the condition of two monsoons, Dr. Wight was undecided for some time as to which was the best month for commencing agricultural opera- tions. One season, the early rains of the south-west monsoon fell in sufficient quantity to enable him to try the experiment of sowing in May, as suggested by the Manchester Association. But that crop turned out a failure. Experience proved that the proper sowing season was July and August, that is, towards the close of the south-west monsoon. By this delay one great advantage was gained. The American plant really required very little rain when it was once well above ground. Consequently it was desirable to avoid * It would almost seem from the description in the text that the western side of the Peninsula is best adapted, as far as climate is concerned, to the growth of American Cotton, for the course of the seasons is essentially the same there as in America, See para, 151. F 103 104 105 106 66 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [OH. III. the heavy rains of the south-west monsoon, when those of the north-east were quite sufficient. By sowing in July and August the plant escaped the heavy rains of the south-west monsoon, and partook of the lighter rains of the north-east. Whereas by . sowing earlier, the south-west monsoon brought the plants into full bearing just at the setting in of the north-east monsoon, which injured all the pods just as they were ready to burst. On the whole, Dr. Wight was not at this period very favourably disposed to- wards localities enjoying the benefits of both mon- soons. He anticipated more certain advantages from lands near the coast, which were subject to one mon- soon only, and which therefore did not perplex the grower by compelling him to adjust his operations, so as to avail himself of a. double series of insufficient rains in the place of one ample monsoon. Large experiment in early sowing throughout the Cotton Districts in the Madras Presidency.—The ex- are periment of sowing the seed .of American from the Cotton in the early spring rains had been feveral Col- so strongly urged by the Manchester Asso- Return — ciation, and had been so strongly approved (sev) pp. by the Court of Directors, that notwith- standing the experience of former trials, Dr. Wight did not hesitate to try the experiment on the largest possible scale. Accordingly, American seed was distributed to the Collectors at all the Cotton- growing districts throughout the Madras Presidency, and again distributed by them to Native cultivators in the different talooks. The results induced Dr. Dr Wient’s Wight to regard this experiment as the letter, 3éth most instructive that had ever been made ; Jan 1849. and one which led to a far better know- turn (1857), ledge of the principles of the culture of the Dae American Cotton plant in India than had then been attained. First result: India not too hot, but too cold.—The experiment of sowing in May was tried over a wide extent of country, and seemed to establish the follow- ing important facts. In the first place, it was seen 1845-49.] AMERICAN PLANT IN INDIAN SEASONS. 67 that India was not too hot for the American plant, since in the Carnatic it had borne unharmed the hot winds of May and June. On the other hand, it was ascertained that the cultivating season in India was if anything too cold; in other words, that the climate of the Carnatic during the cold months, which formed the Cotton-growing season in India, was actually colder than the summer of Mississippi, which formed the Cot- ton-growing season in America; the Americans culti- vating from April to November, and the Indian Ryots from September until April. In the first instance, Dr. Wight had noticed the great difference between those fields, or portions of fields, which were exposed to the cold; and those which were warmly sheltered. Again on the change of the monsoon, after the north- easterly rain had ceased, and when the thermometer in the house sunk daily to 60° and 65°, he had observed that all the young plants, the produce of October sowing, ceased to grow though the soil was abundantly moist. Theory confirmed by a comparison of the tempera- ture of Madras with that of Vera Cruz, Mobile, and Natchez.—This theory, that the American plant in India suffered from the cold, was directly opposite to an opinion which had been expressed by Mr. Mercer, an American Planter under the Bombay Government, who had confidently asserted that India was too hot for the cultivation of American Cotton. It was how- ever fully confirmed by a comparison of a meteorologi- cal register of the Cotton-growing States . wients in America with a similar register of Ma- Circular, dras. In Mississippi the sowing com- 0th March, mences in April; in the Carnatic the latter Return part of September, or even the beginning eee of October, is considered to be the best sow- See ing time. The following four lines of tetter, sth figures exhibit the temperature of the Cot- {pny 144, ton season in four distinct localities; viz. eee, 107 1. Vera Cruz, 19°12 north latitude, which is one of © the native districts of the American plant. 2. Mobile in Alabama, 30°12 north latitude. F2 108 109 68 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY, [CH. IIT. 3. Natchez in Mississippi, 31°32 north latitude.. 4, Madras, 13°4 north latitude. April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. } Nov. | Dec.” Vera Cruz] 77°18 | 80°42 | 81°86 | 81°50 | 82°10 | 80°96 | 78°41 | 75°38 | 71°6 Mobile...) 70°00 | 76°36 | 82°17 | 82°41 | 82°78 | 75°94 | 69°97 | 61°50 | 55°50 Natchez...| 69°93 | 72°72 | 80°62 | 81°78 | 80°13 | 74°99 | 64°58 | 55°23 | 49°09 Aug. | Sept. |*Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | Jan. | Feb. |March| April Madras....| 846 | 837 | 822 | 789 | 763 | 755 177°7 | 80°38 | 83°7 Rising temperature in America, but diminishing temperature in India, during the growing season.— From the foregoing table it will be seen that in Ame- rica the seed is sown at a comparatively low temper- ature, which gradually rises as the plant advances to maturity ; whilst in India it is sown at a comparatively high temperature, which gradually falls as the plant matures. In Mississippi, the seed is sown in April at a temperature of 70°, which gradually rises from month to month until July, when it nearly reaches 82°, and the Cotton is nearly ripe. In August the pickings are approaching their maximum, and then the temper- ature is as high as it is in India during the picking season of March. In India, on the contrary, the American plant has to contend with a diminishing temperature instead of' a rising one during the growing season. Here the seed is sown in October at a tem- perature of 82°, which gradually diminishes as the plant approaches to maturity, and when the Cotton is most in need of heat and light. Thus at the outset of life, the young plant is stimulated by strong light and high temperature, neither of which is sustained through the growing season; and in January, when the state of the crop calls for a high temperature, we have it about the lowest, being nearly six degrees lower than the mean temperature of Mississippi at the same stage. This state of things must prove more or less injurious to the health of a plant so tenacious of heat and light. Second Result: Carnatic not too dry, confirmed by a comparison of mean rain fall.—Another important fact was. ascertained at this time. Mr. Finnie, the 1845-49.] AMERICAN PLANT IN INDIAN SEASONS. 69 American Planter, had asserted that the climate of the Carnatic was much too dry; and that we could not expect to succeed in the culture of American Cotton, excepting in such places as partook of the gee paras, rains of both monsoons. This theory how- 127, 183. ever was completely disproved, and the opposite one established. The experiment already indicated was tried in the Carnatic at a season when the American plant had to struggle against a four-months’ uninter- rupted drought, a very rare circumstance; but even under such unusual conditions, the plant not only sur- vived the unusual drought, but when the rain did fall, it grew vigorously and produced a good crop. This result is further confirmed by a comparison of the mouthly mean falls ‘of rain in Florida and Madras during the Cotton-growing seasons in both countries; from which it will be seen that the climate of the Car- natic as compared with that of the Cotton-growing country of Florida, is the more humid of the two. April] May | June} July jAug.| Sept. | Oct. | Nov. Dec.| Total 435 13°33 | 1°49 | 113 Jan. |Feb.|Mar.|Apr. 1:33 10°28 | 0°86 [| 0°63 | 38°22 Florida. | 1-09 | 634 | 2°89 | 2°84 | 3°30 26°16 Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. |Dec. Madras | 5:24 | 476 | 10° 12°42 | 3°25 Two Methods of cultivating American Cotton in India: adaptation of seasons, and artificial irrigation, —Two methods suggested themselves for adapting the American Cotton plant to the Indian seasons. Ist, The arrangement of sowing seasons already indicated in the localities under the influence of the north-east ‘monsoon, or under the influence of both monsoons ; namely, that of employing the earlier weeks of the regular autumnal period as the Cotton spring season, the later weeks and part of winter as the Cotton sum- mer season, and the conclusion of winter and part of spring as the Cotton autumn. 2nd, The employment of irrigation as in Egypt; by which course the Indian cultivator would be comparatively independent of the seasons, as by sowing in November he would secure 110 lll. 112 70 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CH. III. for the growing plant a rising range of temperature in the place of a falling one. Experiments in irrigation, securing a rising tem- perature to the growing plant.—Dr. Wight first tried the experiment by sowing an acre of ground about the end of January. On the 4th of February the young plants began to appear above ground. On the 10th of March many of them were upwards of a foot high, all very healthy and already showing abundance of “forms,” or coming flowers; and that too with the thermometer in the shade daily above 90°, once or twice 96°; thys proving clearly that high temperature, when there is sufficient moisture in the soil, is not in- jurious to New Orleans Cotton. This experiment however was only undertaken to' establish the princi- ple, as the cloudy weather and rain in May would interfere with the perfect maturation of the crops. Had the sowing been earlier, that is, immediately after the cessation of the north-easterly rains, then a full crop would have been obtained. Fortunately the lat- ter experiment had been tried by Captain Lawford, Civil Engineer. Captain Lawford wished to prove to the Natives of Tanjore, that Cotton cultivated under Irrigation was as productive as Rice. The seed was sown in November, and the pickings commenced about the middle of February. Dr. Wight however recom- mended that in carrying out this irrigation method, the water should be sparingly applied, and that little or none should be given from the commencement of the picking. Five practical suggestions, —Having thus explained. the principles of American Cotton cultivation in India, Dr. Wight’s Dr. Wight proceeded to discuss five ques- Circular, | _ tions of practical detail; viz.—lst, Choice 1849. Parl. of soil; 2nd, Preparation of the land for een the seed; 3rd, Ploughing and hoeing dur- zl. ing the growing season; 4th, Distance between the rows; and 5th, Treatment of the plant as an annual and rotation of crops. These points have already been noticed in previous paras.; but it seems advisable to repeat the conclusions here. 1845-49.] AMERICAN PLANT IN INDIAN SEASONS. 71 Ist, Choice of soil__Dr. Wight observed on this point, that the best crops of American Cotton which he had as yet seen had been obtained from dark brown, very light, sandy loams, mixed with much kunkur lime- stone ;* a kind of soil easily worked, very permeable to rain, and easily penetrated to a great depth by the roots. Red soils, which had a large admixture of sand securing for them the same properties, had also an- swered well, and were easily cultivated. Stiffer clayey soils had not answered so well, excepting in seasons when showers were frequent and kept the ground in an easily workable state; otherwise when the weather was ‘dry, these soils were liable to bake and become very hard. Black Cotton soils had been a good deal tried at first; but still Dr. Wight considered that they had ‘been condemned as unsuitable rather too prematurely. Subsequent consideration had led him to doubt the justice of the verdict. 2nd, Preparation of the land for the seed.—Too much care, says Dr. Wight, cannot be bestowed upon the preparation of the ground for the reception of the seed. From four to six months before the sowing time, the land should be well ploughed, the deeper the better, and then should be allowed to lie fallow. If rain fell in the interval, then a second ploughing should take place, so as to keep the land thoroughly open and freely exposed to the conjoint action of the air and sun; this would prevent excessive absorption of heat ; it would greatly promote fertility; and it would clean the land by exposing and killing the roots of all peren- nial weeds. Last of all, just before sowing, the ground should have a final ploughing. 8rd, Ploughing and hoeing during the growing Season,—The ploughing and hoeing during the growing season of the American Cotton plant should be regu- lated as follows. If the seed is sown in drills according to the American practice, then, whilst the plant is still small, the land should be ploughed once or twice be- * The presence of this kunkur was the very thing that Mr. Simpson the American Planter had urged as rendering the land unfit for the growth of American Cotton. See para. 77, 113 114 115 116 117 118 72 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [or. ITI. tween the rows. If the seed be sown broadcast, this loughing cannot be conveniently carried out; and then the hoe must suffice. When the third leaf has appeared, the ground must be hoed, and the plants thinned out to six or eight inches between them ; and this will leave enough to allow of considerable destruc- tion during the subsequent ploughing. A second hoe- ing is always deemed necessary, in both American and Native practice, when the “stand” should be further thinned, to an extent varying from a foot to eighteen inches between the plants. If the growth is vigorous, the distance between the plants should average not less than eighteen inches, but otherwise, an interval of one foot would be sufficient. 4th, Distance between the Rows,—The distance be- tween the rows and ridges should be regulated as. follows. In moderately fertile and high and dry lands, it will be sufficient to have an interval of from two feet and a half to three feet between the rows. But for moist low-lying rich soils an interval of five feet is not too much; as under such circumstances the bushes will still fill the ground, for the plant is a very strong Browne one, and unless it has plenty of room the crop blights. 5th, Treatment of the plant as an annual and rota- tion of crops,—The last point 10 which Dr. Wight drew attention, was the fact that the experiment of treating the plant as a biennial, already noticed, had uniformly failed ; that however promising in appearance the second year’s plants might be, he had never succeeded in obtaining a really good crop off the same bushes. He would therefore always recommend. the plan of cultivating the New Orleans Cotton plant as an annual. Again, as regards rotation of crops, he would recommend that the same land should never be sown oftener than every third or fourth year, as the foreign Cotton seems to be a very exhaust- ing crop. Profitable cultivation of American Cotton throughout the Peninsula—The final results of Dr. Wight’s ex- perience in 1849, may thus be summed up in a few Para. 64. 1845-49.] DR. WIGHT’s FOUR YEARS IN COIMBATORE. 78 words. He considered that, under the 5. wisnts guidance of the principles already laid _ letter, Beth, down to suit particular localities, the cul- Ja) 18%. tivation of American Cotton might be suc- (1857), p.189. cessfully carried on throughout the Penin- sula, excepting perhaps on the high table-lands where the climate is too cold. Plans for extending the American Cotton Culture amongst the Ryots, 1845-49.—Before concluding the present chapter, it will be necessary to glance at the éfforts which had been made to introduce American Cotton and American cultivation amongst the Ryots. It has already been seen that prior to removing his Farms in 1845, Dr. Wight had endeavoured to extend the cultivation of American Cotton amongst the Ryots, partly by distributing American Cotton seed, but chiefly by engaging to purchase the produce at a higher rate than the market value in India; this higher rate being adjusted to the relative market prices of Ameri- can and Indian Cotton in the home market. Dr. Wight considered that this step was necessary to secure the Ryot against personal loss, until the American Cotton should have obtained an estab- lished market value in India. These offers however failed to encourage the Ryots. For some time they held back altogether, but at last in the first .season at the new location, viz. in De Wients 1845-46, some Ryots were induced to Feb. 1946. attempt the cultivation. Unfortunately, [Ri Retin instead of sowing the American seed m , July and August, they waited until the setting in of the north-east monsoon, and thus sowed it in October with the Native plant. Accordingly, the experiment turned out a failure, and no. purchases appear to have been made. Court of Directors order 6000 bales of East India Cotton, 1845._Meantime the Court of Directors had directed that 5000 or 6000 bales of East pesnatch of India Cotton, cleaned by the saw gin, _ the Direct- should be sent out to England at one time, oy" \eys, See para. 84. 119 120 121 74 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [cH. III. Parl. Return 2 Order that some conclusive result should (1847), p.398, be arrived at respecting the merits of the article. This necessitated large purchases of Native seed Cotton from the Ryots, for the purpose of submitting it to the action of Dr. Wight’s saw gins Parl Return 2 Coimbatore. In 1846-47 nearly £1200 (1857), pp. or 12,000 rupees were expended ; in 1847-48 1s: the purchases reached £2100, and in 1848-49 they amounted to nearly £2600. Proposition for reducing the assessment of lands under American Cotton cultivation—In 1847, the Lotteiat Manchester Association had recommended Mr. Aspinall that the whole of the 6000 bales should pare, th consist of American Cotton. Accordingly Parl. Retum Dr. Wight began to consider how to extend (1847),p-44 the cultivation of the foreign article. He at once made known to the local merchants who fre- quented the gin-house, that he was in expectation of orders for stopping the purchase of Native Cotton; __., and he again offered to supply American Prien wun seed and to purchase the produce, but June, 1847. without any apparent success. Accord- oars ingly he proposed that a remission of 25 per cent. should be made, for a term of three or five years, on all lands under American Cotton Mr. Wrough- cultivation. Mr. Wroughton, the Collector ton’s letter, | Of Coimbatore, stated in reply, that in 1883, isth June, Government had offered to remit one half of the fixed assessment on the same pro- viso; but that even that larger encourage- ment had failed to produce any extension of the cul- tivation, and therefore Government had deemed it inexpedient to continue the indulgence. Mr. Wrough- ton at the same time expressed an opinion that any such interference with the long-standing survey settle- ment of the district was a very dangerous and doubtful experiment, and likely to be productive of much con- fusion and irregularity ; and he suggested that if the amount of the proposed remission of 25 per cent. should be deemed necessary for the extension of the American Cotton cultivation, the amount should be Return (1857), p. 156. 1845-49.] DR. WIGHT 8 FOUR YEARS IN COIMBATORE. 75 added to the price given for the Cotton when produced, in lieu of a reduction of the rent of the soil. Dr. ‘Wight however had already offered this increased price for the American Cotton, but without effect. Wight’s Accordingly he applied to the Madras Go- letter, 20th vernment to renew, for a further period of as five or ten years, the orders of 1833, grant- (1857), p. 158. ing 50 per cent. remission on all lands under American Cotton cultivation. ‘Marquis of Tweeddale in favour of the remission, —The Marquis of Tweeddale was in favour of the pro- posed remission. He considered that if pieabeist granted, it would only bring a larger the Marquis breadth of land under the plough; inas- of Tweed- much as a foreign demand for the Ameri- Sept., 1847. can Cotton of India would in no way in- Parl Retum terfere with the Indian demand for its own raw produce; consequently the same extent of land would still be cultivated to meet the wants of the home consumer, and the same rental would be received by Government ; the only difference being that more waste land would be taken into cultivation to meet the foreign demand for American Cotton of Indian growth. Court of Directors decide against the remission.— The Court of Directors refused their consent to the proposed remission. They considered it 5, eapatale would be an obvious violation of the gene- from the -_ ral principle, which prescribes that the as- Court of Di- sessment shall be regulated by the capa- July, 1848. bility of the land, without any reference to (f357)6'tao. the particular description of produce which might be raised from it. Again, even supposing that American Cotton could be cultivated with profit only when half the rate of assessment was remitted, and that this profit would cease when the rate of assessment was again raised to its original amount, this fact would simply prove that the remission was forcing a factitious cultivation, which under ordinary circumstances could not be carried on. However, it was the belief of the Directors that no such reduction was required in the province of Coimbatore; for the out-turn of American 122 123 124 76 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CH. III. Cotton per acre was much larger than that of Indian Cotton, and at the same time far more valuable in the English market. The real difficulty in the way of inducing the Ryots to extend the cultivation of the American Cotton, was the want of a steady demand for the article in the district in which it was grown. That difficulty however was removed for the present by the permission, which had been given to Dr. Wight, to purchase American Cotton from the Ryots on account of Government at remunerating prices. Failure of the purchase system as regarded Ame- rican Cotton, 1848.—Meantime however the purchases Dr. Wisht’s of New Orleans Cotton effected by Dr. letter, nd = "Wight were insignificant in the extreme. Parl. Return He was by no means sparing in his offers (857),p.181. of high prices. Whilst Native Cotton was sold to him at the gin-house for eight annas (or one shilling) a maund of 25 lbs., he had announced that he was prepared to purchase all first-class New Orleans Cotton at double the price, that is, at one rupee (or two shillings) per maund. But still the Natives were so averse to depart from their established customs, that he had only been able to persuade a small number to cultivate the foreign plant. At the same time the Cotton markets in Coimbatore had been so sparingly supplied with purchasers during the two previous sea- sons, that but for the Court’s order for 6000 bales of gin-cleaned Native Cotton, the trade must have been almost at a stand-still.* Under such circumstances, Dr. Wight seriously thought of proclaiming throughout the district, that for the future he should only buy Ame- rican Cotton ; and that he was prepared to purchase all of that description which might be offered for sale. He was aware that there were strong objections to this course ; but whilst so many Ryots offered their Cotton * Jt seems not improbable that Dr, Wight had himself kept the Native purchasers out of the Coimbatore markets. At Dr, Wight’s gin-house the Ryot could obtain a ready sale, liberal prices, and immediate payment for Native Cotton. It was not therefore likely that the Merchants would care to compete with so formidable a vival, They would rather purchase elsewhere, and leave the field open to Dr. Wight. 1845-49.] DR. WIGHT’S FOUR YEARS 1N COIMBATORE. 77 for sale at his gin-house before they took it elsewhere, he considered that the plan might be attended with beneficial results. These explanations, he trusted, would prove that the failure to induce the Ryots to cultivate American Cotton did not arise from any want of encouragement, as a ready market and high prices were offered to all comers. Contemplated establishment of a number of small Farms,—In the early part of 1849, Dr. Wight con- sidered of a new plan for extending the p,. wights cultivation of the American Cotton amongst _ letter, 26th the Natives. The principles of the culture ee he considered to be fully established, whilst (1857), p. 189. the practice had been simplified to the utmost. He therefore proposed, after the close of the season 1848-49, to form a number of small Farms, of from twenty to fifty acres each, to be cultivated by hired labour under the direction of Native Maistries, in the hope of familiarizing all classes of cultivators with the im- proved practice, and satisfying them that American Cotton could be cultivated by their own implements with as much care, cheapness, and certainty as the Native plant, whilst the produce was far more valuable. At the same time he contemplated diminishing the extent of his own Farms, in order to allow of more leisure for superintending the smaller detached ones above described. Meantime, however, circumstances had arisen which led to his temporary retirement from the Cotton experiment. These will be found narrated in the fifth chapter. But before drawing attention to these matters, it will be necessary to review the pro- ceedings of Mr, Finnie in Tinnevelly, to which accord- ingly the next chapter will be devoted. 12 CHAPTER IV. FOUR YEARS OF EXPERIMENTAL CULTURE UNDER MR. FINNIE IN TINNEVELLY, 1845 to 1849. (126.) Labours of Mr. Finnie and Dr. Wight compared.—(127.) First Season, 1845-46: Mr. Finnie’s first impression of Tinnevelly.—(128.) Suggestion that by acting as a Cotton Agent he could induce the Ryots to adopt the new culture.—(129.) An Agency would also increase the profits of both Ryots and Merchants, and double the exports.—(130.) Nothin however would induce the Ryots to adopt the American Saw Gin.—(131. The Thresher recommended.—(132.) Three points in the career of Mr. Finnie : the New Orleans Cotton, the Agency, and the Saw Gin.—(133.) Cultivation of Cotton: tour to Courtallum, under both monsoons, 1846.— (184.) Necessity for the co-operation of the Natives: employment of hired labour by the European always a loss.—(135.) First intercourse with the Ryots : allays fears and suspicions.—(136.) Explains the improved method ot culture to the Ryots.—(137.) Mr. Finnie’s tour from Courtallum to Coimbatore, July.—(138.) Preparations for assisting Dr. Wight in com- pleting the Court’s order for 6000 bales.—(139.) Mr. Finnie permitted to act as Agent: restricted"to Cotton ginned and prepared on the American principle, August.—(140.) Restriction removed.—(141.) Mr. Finnie’s first year’s proceedings with the Churka, Thresher, and Gin.—(142.) Queries submitted to Mr. Finnie by the Marquis of Tweeddale. MR. FINNIE’S ‘‘ NOTES ON COTTON CULTIVATION IN AMERICA AND INDIA.” (143.) Early cultivation of Cotton in America: compared with the pre- sent cultivation in India.—(144.) Climate discovered to be of more im- portance than soil.—(145.) Nature of the lands in America, on which the American plant is grown.—(146.) Manure: consisting of old stocks and rotten seed buried in a furrow between the rows.—(147.) Climate: very humid at night but hot in the day.—(148.) Rotation of crops: alternation with Indian Corn occasionally necessary.—(149.) Capital required in American cultivation.—(160.) Successive operations necessary to raise a crop: cleaning old Jand and clearing new.—(151.) Planting.—(152.) “Scraping” or hoeing. —(153.) Gathering. — (154.) Uncertainty of weather : average crops.—(155.) Expenses of Cotton cultivation : produce estimated, not at so much per acre, but at four to eight bales per Negro, wk Machinery: Gin-house, Gins, Press, and Driving Machinery,— (157.) Price of land: fluctuates with the price of Cotton.—(158.) Mini- mum price at which American Cotton santa be produced, four pence per pound.—(159.) Prospects of India: labour in America and India com- 1845-49.] MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 79 pared.—(160.) Reduction of the Indian Land-tax on Cotton grounds would neither benefit the Ryot nor extend the culture. (161.) Mr. Finnie’s second season, 1846-47: planting operations suc- ceeded at Courtallum but failed at Sevacausey.—(162.) Mr. Finnie is disappointed as an Agent.—(163.) Mr. Finnie’s second year’s operations with the Churka, Thresher, and Gin.—(164.) Sale of two Gins to neigh- bouring Zemindars: their failure.—(165.) Cotton Brokers rather than Zemindars should be induced to adopt the Gin.—(166.) Mr. Finnie’s pro- posal for erecting a Gin-house and Cattle-driving Machinery in Tinne- velly.—(167.) Purchase of Cattle-driving Machinery sanctioned : relative cost of cattle labour and manual labour.—(168.) Change in Mr. Finnie’s views as regards the Cattle-driving Machinery.—(169.) Mr. Finnie’s explanation of his apparent inconsistencies.—(170.) Mr. Finnie’s general objections.to the Gin discussed by Dr. Wight.—(171.) Mr. Finnie’s pro- pn for erecting a Gin-house of two storeys: the lower one for the riving Machinery and the upper one for the Gins.—(172.) Hire of a temporary Gin-house at Aroopoocottah.—(178.) Erection of three Gins and a Thresher: their effect upon the Natives.—(174.) Testimony of the Brokers that-dirty Cotton was more profitable than clean Cotton. MR. FINNIE’S NOTES ON THE PECULIARITIES OF COTTON TRADE IN TINNEVELLY. : (175.) Systematic adulteration of Indian Cotton : transactions between. the Ryots, the Brokers, the Chetties, and the European Agents.— (176.) The Ryot: improvident and helplessly in debt.—(177.) The Broker: adulteration of the Cotton by the ‘“ Devil’s dust” system.—(178.) The Chetty: tricks played with the European Agent, (179.) Conclusion of the season of 1846-47: difficulties in the way of conducting the ginning operations at .Aroopoocottah.—(180.) First, High ices demanded by the Ryots for their seed Cotton.—(181.) Second, eavy expenses of ginning.—(182.) Necessity for improving the con- struction of the Gin.—(183,) Third season, 1847-48 : stage of the Cotton experiment in Tinnevelly.—(184.) Planting operations: successful culture of American Cotton in the Courtallum valley.—(185.) Unsuccessful cul- ture at Sevacausey, Virdooputty, and Aroopoocottah.—(186.) Agency operations: Mr. Finnie requests permission to proceed to England to consult with the Cotton Manufacturers.—(187.) Operations with the Churka, Thresher, and Gin: meeting of Cotton Brokers of ‘Tinnevelly.— (188.) Cost of cleaning with the Thresher and Churka as compared with that of the Gin.—(189.) Cost at which clean unadulterated Cotton might be supplied.—(190.) Recommends the introduction of small hand-threshers and cheap presses.—(I91.) Small hand-threshers and pres sanctioned.— (192.) Mr. Thomas believed that Cotton was not adulterated by design, and that good Cotton was often sent home.—(193.) No market or Agency required in Tinnevelly.—(194.) Cultivation of New Orleans Cotton, and improved cleaning, the main points.—(195.) Mr. Finnie’s design for a cheap Cotton press,—(196.) Mr. Finnie’s sample of Churka-cleaned Tinne- velly Cotton equal to American.—(197.) Madras Government refer the sample to Dr. Wight, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Court of Directors.—(198.) Dr. Wight’s report: Mr. Finnie’s sample is “good 80 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1sT SEASON. Tinnevelly,” which no one could mistake for American.—(199.) Large shipments of Churkaed Cotton contrary to the orders of the Directors.— (200.) Dr. Wight’s system of purchase compared with that of Mr. Fin- nie’s.—(201.) Madras Chamber of Commerce confirm Dr. Wight’s valu- ation of Mr. Finnie’s Cotton.—(202.) Manchester Commercial Association pass asimilar judgment upon the Cotton.—(203.) Fourth season, 1848-49 : proposed extension of planting operations.—(204.) Mr. Finnie’s matured judgment against the culture of American Cotton or use of the American Gin.—(205.) Pronounces in favour of the Indigenous Cotton and Native Churka.—(206.) Native Cotton should first be threshed, next churkaed, and finally cleaned by hand.—(207.) Erection of Mr. Finnie’s Gin-house and Driving Machinery at Sevacausey.—(208.) Relative cost of the Churka, the Hand-gin, and the Cattle-gin._(209.) Mr. Finnie refused permission to extend his operations to Coimbatore. 126 Labours of Mr. Finnie and Dr. Wight compared. In the two preceding chapters, we have. seen Dr. Wight engaged in Coimbatore in endeavouring, by successive experiments, to lay down the true principles of Cotton culture in the Madras Presidency ; and also in endeavouring, by large purchases from the neigh- bouring Ryots, to fulfil the order of the Court of Directors for 6000 bales of ginned East India Cotton. Meantime, that is, during the second period of four years, extending between 1845 and 1849, Mr. Finnie had been engaged in a totally different line of opera- tions in the South. From the very first, the - latter gentleman evidently had no heart in the efforts that were being made to introduce the cultivation of Ame- rican Cotton and the use of the American Machinery into this Presidency; but whether he acted from a sincere conviction of their inutility, or whether, as a patriotic American Planter, he systematically endea- voured to throw cold water upon the objects in view, must be entirely left to the judgment of the reader. It will be sufficient to say that, as regarded both the New Orleans plant and the saw gin, he did as little as he possibly could; and that, if he exerted himself at all, it was chiefly to vaunt the Native Cotton and the Madras churka, In other respects however the narra- tive of his labours will prove highly valuable. As a Planter, he possessed a practical knowledge of Ameri- can Cotton cultivation as it was carried on in the 1845-46.] MR, FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 81 Southern States ; whilst during his residence in India, he had familiarized himself to a considerable extent with the character of the Ryots, and with the mode of carrying on the Cotton trade in this country. Both these points will be largely illustrated in the following paras. ; and as Mr. Finnie was also a man of sense and shrewdness, his own observations, extracted and con- densed from his official letters, will throw considerable light upon the actual condition of the Cotton trade and cultivation in the Madras Presidency; though they may convey a generally unfavourable impression re- specting the possibility of any great improvements being speedily carried out through the aid of American seed or American machinery. First season, 1845-46: Mr. Finnie’s first impres- sions of Tinnevelly.— Mr. Finnie proceeded to Tinne- velly in October, 1845. His ostensible objects were to distribute American Cotton seed amongst the Ryots, and to exhibit the working of some small-sized saw gins. It seems also to have been expected that he should cultivate some American Cotton, partly to test the capabilities of the district, and partly to instruct the Natives in the improved method of cultivation. On reaching Tinnevelly however he found that the sowing season was over, and accordingly he could do little beyond recording his first impressions, and submitting a plan of operations to the authorities. As Mp, Finnie’s regards the capabilities of the Tinnevelly letter, 26th district, he appears to have at this time Parl. Return formed a favourable opinion. Both the #7). 417. New Orleans and the Sea Island varieties might, he thought, be grown in Tinnevelly ;—the New Orleans in the vicinity of the hills, where it would receive the benefit of both monsoons; and the Sea Island on the coast, about seven to fifteen miles from the sea, where it would be near enough to enjoy the benefit of ‘the sea breeze, and far enough off to secure a better soil than could be obtained immediately on thesshore. As re- gards the Native cultivation he was less sanguine. The Natives sowed their Cotton broad-cast, frequently with other kinds of produce, and then left it to take its a 127 128 129 82 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1Lsv SEASON. chance; so that it was a mystery to him how they obtained a Cotton crop at all. If however they could only be induced: to pay more attention to the cultiva- tion, to plant their Cotton by itself and after a more regular fashion, and to gather their crops in a cleaner style, the ordinary Native Cotton might soon be ren- dered equal to Upland Georgia. There would how- ever be considerable difficulty in persuading the people to adopt an improved culture and improved machinery. Europeans might carry on their new methods for ages with the greatest success, but the Natives would never follow their example, but would consider the whole operation to be a peculiar trick on the part of the Europe gentlemen, in which they had no interest or concern. Suggestion, that by acting as a Cotton Agent, he could induce the Ryots to adopt the new culture.— Under these circumstances, Mr. Finnie proposed that he should be allowed to act as an Agent for the pro- duce of Cotton. Thus, whilst as a Government serv- ant he would be teaching the Ryots an improved method of culture, he would as a Commercial Agent be engaged in affording them direct encouragement to carry his agricultural precepts into practice, by offering them higher prices for the Native article. He there- fore proposed to set up a “ Tinnevelly Cotton Agency ;” and either to make large shipments of Cotton to the Court of Directors, or to announce by circular to the different merchants at home that he was prepared to supply the article. An Agency would also increase the profits of both Ryots and Merchants, and double the exports—Mr. Finnie’s arguments were not unlike those of Mr. Fischer already noticed in para. 88, and may be ex- hibited thus. The Cotton in this country goes through too many hands. The Cotton is purchased from the Ryots by the Native Chetties, who again sell it to the European Agents on the coast, who again are not buying it for themselves, but for European merchants in England. Thus the Chetty cheats the Ryot from whom he buys, and the Agent to whom he sells, and 1845-46. ] MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 83 the prce of the Cotton is further swollen by the charges of the European houses of Agency. In Tinne- velly, upwards of 50,000 candies of Cotton are shipped every year at a cost of some 25 lakhs of rupees, or £250,000 ; the mere shipment of which occupies eight Agency houses on the coast, whose charges alone are equal to 12 per cent. on the whole. All this Cotton, he represented, might be shipped by one or two Agency houses, which would so far reduce the expenses as to encourage the home merchants to largely increase their trade. Again, by purchasing direct from the Ryots, the iniquitous services of the Chetties would be dis- pensed with, and the Ryots would reap the full reward of their labours. Nothing however would induce the Ryots to adopt 130 the American Saw Gin.—As regards separating the staple from the seed and cleaning it for the home mar- ket, Mr. Finnie believed that nothing, not even an agency, would induce the people of India to recognize the advantages of the American saw gin. The circum- stances of America and India, in respect to the use of this machine, were altogether different. In America, where slave labour was valuable and time was money, a Planter could invest his capital profitably in ma- chinery. In India, on the contrary, the bulk of the people were not employed for one-third of their time, and a man was willing to labour for three rupees a month, during which period he would in his own rude way clean a candy of Cotton, or 500 lbs. Was it likely therefore that a Native would pay four rupees for having a candy of Cotton cleaned in six hours by an American gin? Ifthe man could get no employment during that month, he would lose the whole four rupees ; and even if he did get work elsewhere, he would still be the loser of one rupee. Again, when the Cotton was separated from the seed, the seed was still useful to the people as food for cattle, but it could be of no value to an Agency. If however an Agency were established in the Cotton districts for the purchase of the Cotton seed, and if the Natives agreed to give a fair price for the seed after it had been separated from the Cotton, a2 ‘131 84 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1sT SEASON. then it might be worth the Agent’s while to employ the gin, for the sake of the superior cleanness of the ginned Cotton. But it must be borne in mind that the carriage of the seed and staple to the Agent’s gin- house would be infinitely more expensive than the carriage of the staple alone; and that the carriage of the seed back again after the ginning would prevent the people from giving much for it. If therefore, from the increased cost of carriage, the price of the staple and seed, before separation by the Agent’s gin, was equal to the price of the staple and seed after separ- ation by the Native churka, it was clearly impossible that the extra outlay for ginning could be made to ay. The Thresher recommended.—Under such circum- stances, Mr. Finnie considered it best to leave the people to separate the staple from the seed by the churka; and to employ some machine which could clean the dust and trash out of the wool. For this ‘purpose he recommended the “thresher” already de- scribed in para. 27, as cleaning the Cotton prior to its separation by the churka as effectually as the brush- wheel cleaned the Cotton after it had been separated ‘by the saw gin. But notwithstanding this expression of opinion, Mr. Finnie was prepared to set up saw gins worked by cattle, and to exhibit their working ‘to the people. He was indeed expecting the arrival of a thresher from Calcutta; but this he proposed to set up together with the gins, as both gins and thresher could be worked by the same driving machinery. Meantime however he intended to ascertain if the people would use gins worked by hand, provided the machines were let out on the toll system. Accordingly he asked and obtained three hand gins from Dr. Wight, two of twenty-five saws each and one of twenty saws.* * These remarks of Mr. Finnie against the employment of the American gin in India were subsequently referred to Dr. Wight, whose reply will be found at para, 170. For the sake of clearness, however, it will be advisable to continue the narrative in exuct ‘chronological order. 1845-46.] MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 85 Three points in the career of Mr. Finnie: the New Orleans Cotton, the Agency, and the Saw Gin.—It will be seen from the foregoing paras. that the three objects which Mr. Finnie had put forward were con- nected with the cultivation of New Orleans Cotton, the encouragement of the Ryots by purchasing Cotton as an Agent, and the introduction, or rather non-intro- duction, of the saw gin. Accordingly, in narrating his proceedings the three lines of operations here indicated will be kept distinct as much as possible. Thus, in noticing the proceedings of each season, we shall relate, first, what Mr. Finnie achieved in reference to the cultivation of American Cotton, either by himself or by the Natives ; secondly, what success attended his opera- tions as a Cotton Agent; and, thirdly, what he actually did as regards the churka and the saw gin. Cultivation of Cotton: tour to Courtallum under both monsoons, June, 1846,—It has already been stated that Mr. Finnie reached Tinnevelly too late in the year 1845 to attempt the cultivation of American Cotton during that season. Also that he had been strongly impressed with the opinion that New Orleans Cotton would grow wherever the country enjoyed the benefit of both monsoons. Accordingly in June, mr. Finnie’s 1846, Mr. Finnie proceeded on a tour to _ letter, 20th Courtallum in the western portion of the Pari. Return Tinnevelly district, which lies under the {18°7): p-263. range of mountains between Tinnevelly and the Native state of Travancore, and which enjoys the influence of both the north-east and south-west monsoons. Necessity for the co-operation of the Natives: em- ployment of hired labour by the European always a loss—Mr. Finnie’s ultimate object was to test the capabilities of the large area of country, thus peculiarly situated, for the cultivation of the New Orleans variety. But his more immediate object was to interest the people directly in the new cultivation, by inducing some of the more influential Ryots to plant an acre or two each, on their own account, but according to his directions. Nothing indeed could be done without the co-operation of the people; for it was an established. 182 133 134 135 136 86 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [18T SEASON. fact, that if the people would but adopt the improved agricultural method, they could always produce the raw material, whatever that material might be, very much cheaper than any European could do by the hired labour system. Mr. Finnie knew from experi- ence that the hired labour system afforded such numer- ous opportunities for peculation, that it was impossi- ble for a capitalist to follow that system with any profit in India in the growth of any article whatever. First intercourse with the Ryots: allays fears and suspicions.—On the 1st of June, 1846, Mr. Finnie reached Courtallum, and made the people acquainted with his object. On the 8rd, he was visited by some of the more respectable Ryots, who asked for an ex- planation of his object, and at the same time expressed their own doubts and fears. First, they thought that Mr. Finnie aimed at getting possession of their lands ; but he assured them that he wanted nothing beyond the bare trial of the experiment, on a small scale the first year, and then if successful on a larger scale the next, Secondly, they expressed a fear that, if the new Cotton succeeded, the Government would raise their assessment ; but upon this point he succeeded in satis- fying them. Thirdly, the question arose as to where they should sell the new Cotton. This last argument Mr. Finnie had as yet no authority to parry; but at last he made himself responsible, and promised to take all the new Cotton off their hands at the real value of the article. Explains the improved method of culture to the Ryots.—Having thus satisfied the scruples of the Na- tives, Mr. Finnie went out and planted a small field be- fore their eyes. At their desire he then accompanied them into the country to look at their fields; and the arty increased in numbers as it proceeded, until at last he had fifty or sixty people with him, all anxious to adopt the new plan and asking for seed. These results en- couraged Mr. Finnie to believe that the people would speedily cultivate the American Cotton throughout the whole area under the influence of both monsoons ; whilst those who only cultivated the Native Cotton under the 1845-46.] MB. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 87 north-east rains would gradually adopt the new plan of sowing in rows, and of ploughing between the rows. Mr, Finnie’s tour from Courtallum to Coimbatore, July.—On the lst of July, Mr. Finnie set. a out from Courtallum on a kind of explor- Bae pee ing and itinerant Cotton planting expedi- Retin tion, along the foot of the hills northwards '18*"),»-589. to Coimbatore. During this tour he was disappointed as to the extent of the area of country enjoying the benefit of both monsoons. Soon after leaving the vicinity of Courtallum, he found the land deprived altogether of the south-west monsoon; and all was arid and sterile, until he had advanced beyond Pulney in the Madura district, and reached the borders of the district of Coimbatore. There, however, the south- west monsoon rushes through the Paulghatcherry Pass, and fertilizes a large extent of country. Preparations for assisting Dr. Wight in completing the Court’s order for 6000 bales— During Mr. Fin- nie’s short stay at Coimbatore, Dr. Wight eat had an opportunity of conversing with him, tee upon the exertions necessary for complet- July, 1846. ing the order of the Court of Directors Gece for 5000 or 6000 bales of ginned East In- dian Cotton. Dr. Wight had already despatched three saw gins to Mr. Finnie, and he subsequently applied to the Madras Government that Mr. Finnie might be permitted to purchase seed Cotton for ginni Mr. Finnie permitted to act as Agent: restricted to Cotton ginned and prepared on the American prin- ciple, August.— Meantime, Mr. Finnie’s yyisutes of request to be permitted to act as a private Consulta Agent for the purchase of Cotton had 0? 3h been refused. The Madras Government Parl. Return expressed itself fully aware of the import- pte ance of securing a local market to the Cotton growers, but considered that Mr. Finnie as a Government servant could not engage in commercial adventures. Subsequently, however, the Madras Government dis- covered that the privilege asked by Mr. Finnie had already been granted by the Bombay Government to 137 138 139 140 141: 88 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [18ST SEASON. Mr. Simpson, another American Planter, on the very ground urged by Mr. Hinnie; namely, that if the Planters appeared as purchasers, their instructions would command greater attention than would be given to mere abstract recommendations. Accordingly, a Minutes of Similar permission was granted to Mr. Fin- Consulta- nie, but under the same restrictions as eee, those imposed at Bombay; namely, that hen the purchases should be restricted to Cot- “ton ginned and prepared on the American principle. Restriction removed.—Mr. Finnie appealed strongly ; against the restriction to ginned Cotton. Mr. Finnie’s He repeated all his previous objections to Aug.,1s46. the use of the gin. He again stated that tio what was wanted was a machine like a thresher to clean the staple, before the people had separated it from the seed by the churka. At the same time Mr. Finnie requested permission to connect himself with a house or houses of Agency, as Minutes of 2¢ found it impossible for an isolated in- Consulta- dividual to trade in'’Cotton. Both these een requests were conceded by the Madras ae Government; and thus Mr. Finnie was ua" allowed to act as general Agent for the supply of Cotton, and to connect himself with any of the houses of Agency. Mr, Finnie’s first year’s proceedings with the Churka, Thresher, and Gin.—Up to this point there appears to have been no breach between Dr. Wight Dr. Wights 2nd Mr. Finnie. Dr. Wight supplied ‘Mr. letter, 28th Finnie with three saw gins,—two of twenty- y, 1846, Parl. Return five saws, and one of twenty saws,—to be (1857), p.268. worked by hand. He requested that Mr. Finnie might be furnished with sufficient funds for the purchase of seed Cotton to keep his three gins at work. He even represented to the Madras Government the propriety of purchasing four or five hundred bales of the best churkaed Cotton, to be cleaned by the thresher, and then to be sent to England, in order to ascertain what the best Native Cotton would realize in the 1845-46. | MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 89 English market. Dr. Wight considered this last mea- sure to be of the utmost importance; inasmuch as the native dealers were so accustomed to mix the inferior qualities of Cotton with the better sorts, that very few samples of the best qualities of Indian Cotton ever reached the English market, and consequently much ignorance prevailed respecting the average prices which such Cotton would realize. Thus the per- y, yinnie's mission granted to Mr. Finnie to purchase _ letter, 15th churkaed Cotton harmonized with Dr. fue on Wight’s own views. A distinction, how- (1857),p. 267. ever, must be made between the authority Dr. Wight’s which he received to purchase on Govern- {iver 2oth ment account seed Cotton for ginning Parl. Return towards making up the 6000 bales, and the a churkaed Cotton for threshing to make up the 600 bales; and the permission granted him to purchase any Cotton he pleased on private account, as agent to any merchant who might consider it expedient to engage his services. This, however, will be noticed further on. Meantime it will be sufficient to say that Mr. Finnie secured the thresher already al- luded to. He also ordered an American hand gin made by Mr. Idler of Philadelphia, on the ground that the gins made in America had been found to work with less labour, and to turn out nearly double the quantity of Cotton, than those made in England. Both purchases were supported by Dr. Wight, and sanctioned by the Madras Government. ‘Nothing of course was done during the first season, as Mr. Finnic’s Mr. Finnie could not obtain Cotton except Diary, 21st of the poorest quality, and moreover hadno Pari. Return house in which to set up his gins. (1857), P. $80. Queries submitted to Mr. Finnie by the Marquis of Tweeddale.—Before entering upon the second year of Mr. Finnie’s operations in Tinnevelly, it may be as well to bring forward the results of his experience in reference to the cultivation of Cotton both in America and India. Dr. Wight’s Notes °** on American Agriculture, which he drew Minute by up at the request of Lord Elphinstone, have ee 142 143 90 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1sT SEASON. dale, 11th already been exhibited in the second chap- Parl Return ter. In the same way Mr. Finnie replied (857). P- at. considerable length to certain queries propounded by the Marquis of Tweeddale ; and the results are accordingly condensed and arranged in a similar form. MR. FINNIE'S “NOTES ON COTTON CULTIVATION IN AMERICA AND INDIA.” Early cultivation of Cotton in America: compared with the present cultivation in India,—The earliest __., Cotton cultivated in North America is Mr. Finnie’s supposed to have been brought from the the queries Grecian Archipelago. ‘It was first tried in coe Sec Virginia, but the season between the last Tweedale, frost of spring and the first frost of autumn 1847, Parl. was found to be too short to produce a profit- Heys. wa. able crop. Still, however, it was raised for domestic consumption, until a more favour- able climate was discovered. Subsequently, the early emigrants, journeying westward from Virginia to Ken- tucky, carried the Cotton seed with them, but still found the climate too severe. At last it was cultivated with much success in the more southern province of Tennessee, where the summer season was slightly longer. In that early period the saw gin was un- known. The.seed was separated from the Cotton in a more primitive way even than by the Indian churka, for the American people employed no machine beyond their own fingers. At that time the circumstances of the American settlers were almost analogous to those of the Indian Ryots; for the work was done when the people could employ their time in no other way. Dur- ing the long winter evenings, and during bad weather, when no out-door work could be performed, the Negro men and children were engaged in separating the Cot- ton from the seed, whilst the Negro women were em- ployed in spinning and weaving the wool to clothe themselves and the family. Gradually the gin was 1845-46.] MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 91 introduced. One gin house was established in every neighbourhood, and ginned the Cotton for the neigh- bouring farmers, whilst the owner of the gin received poe inkind. But meantime adventurous settlers ad pushed still further to the South. The climate of Alabama and Mississippi was found to be even more favourable to the plant than that of Tennessee; and there every planter soon had a gin-house of his own. Thus the luxuriant South reduced the Kentucky and Tennessee Cotton to a mere domestic product; but even within Mr. Finnie’s recollection, that is, about 1820, the Negro men and women would gather in some neighbourhoods round a blazing fire during the long winter evenings, to hand-pick the seeds out of the Cot- ton, which the women were to spin the next day. Climate discovered to be of more importance than soil—During this period of emigration, the early ad- venturers had discovered, as we have already seen, that as they advanced towards the South, the Cotton shrub became more and more prolific, and produced a finer quality of wool. This result is to be attributed not only to the superiority of the soil, but also to the greater suitability of climate. Though soil, says Mr. Finnie, exercises much influence on the quantity and quality of the Cotton, climate is the great desideratum. A good soil in a favourable climate will produce a large quantity of fine Cotton; a poor soil in a favourable climate will produce Cotton a little inferior; but an unfavourable climate and poor soil will produce an article inferior in quality and deficient in quantity. But however rich the soil may be, no profitablé crop can be produced unless the climate is propitious. These remarks refer to the climate which is essential to the production of American Cotton. As regards the climate of Southern India, Mr. Finnie believed (1847) that it produced a very good article of indigen- ous Cotton, which only required care and cleanliness to render it very useful and valuable. He feared, how- ever, that the Indian climate was not suited to the New Orleans variety. 144 145 146 147 92 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1ST SEASON Nature of the lands in America on which the Ame- rican plant is grown,-—All land in the Southern States of America on which Cotton is grown has been cleared from forest at a comparatively late period. The Cot- ton does not produce a good crop in the first season after the land is cleared; the great quantity of extra- neous matter causing it to grow to long watery shoots, which yield no fruit. Accordingly Indian corn is ge- nerally grown as the first crop. The land, however, is peculiarly suited to the Cotton plant, being a rich vegetable loam, with a deep clay sub-soil; and it is, moreover, situated in a favourable climate. Manure, consisting of old stalks and rotten seed, buried in a furrow between the rows.—The land, says Mr. Finnie, is manured when required. The poor old land is manured early in the spring, by running a dee furrow between the old rows, which are filled up with the old Cotton stalks; but the poorest lands have some other manure added, of which well-rotted Cotton seed is found to be the best. Here America differs from India, for it produces so many better things than Cot- ton seeds as food for cattle, that the seeds are of no value. When the manure has thus been laid in the furrow, it is covered up by running two furrows, so that the mole laps, and forms a slight ridge over the manure; and in this state the stalks and seed are allowed to lie until the planting season, by which time they are well rotted. The advantage of this operation is two-fold: first, the land is manured ; and secondly, half the plough- ing is accomplished which is necessary for preparing the land for planting. The operation, as already seen, is carried out very early in the spring, before the frost has ceased to fall; and when the frost is over and all fear of it has ceased, one or two furrows are ploughed along either side of the manure ridge, which is subse- quently broken up. This is done to save time, the great object being to get the seed into the ground as early as possible. Climate: very humid at night, but hot in the day, —The climate is damp all over America, but in the Southern States it is very humid, causing heavy dews 1845-46.| MRE, FINNIE ON COTTON CULTIVATION. 93 and thick fogs at night; these, however, are soon dis- pelled on the appearance of a bright sun, which usually prevails in the morning and during the whole day. The rains may be thus characterized. During spring, summer, and autumn they consist of heavy bursts of fre- quent showers. During the winter the climate is pro- verbially. described as consisting of three heavy white frosts, and a hot sun in the day, which is succeeded by a heavy rain, generally of one day’s duration, but occa- sionally extending over ten days. Rotation of crops: alternation with Indian corn oc- casionally necessary.—The Cotton plant fills the land so full of its own excretions, that after a few years the ground is rendered unsuitable for the reproduction of the plant in a healthy state. But Mr. Finnie doubted whether the continued crops exhausted the soil ; for if the lands, said to be exhausted, were planted for one year with Indian corn, they would produce a fine cro of the corn, and the next year would be again fitted for the production of Cotton. Capital required in American cultivation Any sum from 20,000 dollars to 200,000 might be invested in an estate. The first amount would yield a handsome profit, provided it were well managed by the owner himself; though it would not justify the employment of a superintendent. But 200,000 dollars well laid out, made a handsome property; and was as much as one superintendent, whether owner or employer, could look after in detail, with the assistance of his Negro drivers. There were many planters, however, who owned several such estates; and the details of each were conducted by a superintendent, whose re- putation was involved in its success or failure, that is, in the profit or loss of the estate entrusted to his charge. Successive operations necessary to raise a crop: cleaning old land and clearing new.—In America, says Mr. Finnie, the life of a Cotton Planter is one of inces- sant labour. In the first place, great care is necessary to ensure a good and regular stand of plants; and, se- condly, in the gathering season, constant attention is necessary to ensure the cleanliness of the Cotton: but Para. 175. 148 149 150 1 1 94 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [18T SEASON. when the hands employed have been once brought under strict discipline, they give but little further trouble to the Planter. The operations of the year may be thus described. The week’s holiday, which is an- nually granted to the negroes, is over by the first of Janu- ary. The first operations of the Planter are to clean and prepare his old land, and to clear a piece of new. On the old land, advantage is taken of every interval of fine weather, for a few steady ploughmen to run the manure furrow already described between the old Cot- ton rows; while women and children follow them, and beat down the old stalks and lay them in the furrow. If necessary, the carts follow with the manure, and then the ploughs again run over the land to cover up the manure at once. On the new land, the trees are cut down for fences, whilst the under-grown and thick canes are cut flat to the ground, and when sufficiently dry, are set on fire and burnt off clean. Before the embers are cold, this new land is planted with Indian corn; because the latter is not so delicate as Cotton, and is not killed by the frost. The three agricultural operations of planting, scraping, and gathering may now be described in their natural order. Planting.—The planting season lasts from the first to the thirteenth of April. The first of April is the great commencing day, and then every available “plough team” is put in harness, and often the carriage horses are pressed into the service of the plough. A few additional furrows are thrown to the slight manure ridge already mentioned, in order that the closing fur- row may drain the surplus spring showers. Next fol- lows the drill, which opens the ridge; whilst an active woman keeps pace with the horse, and sows the seed in a beautiful straight line in the little furrow opened by the drill. The interval between the plants varies ac- cording to the poorness or richness of the soil. In poor land the Cotton is planted close together, but in rich lands wide apart, thus reversing the order of grain hus- bandry. Accordingly, the plants are sown in rows from four to eight feet apart, varying according to the quality of the land; and the seed is left in the drill in 1845-46.] ME. FINNIE ON COTTON OULTIVATION. 95 corresponding intervals of from six to twelve inches, or even of fifteen inches where the land is very rich. In India three inches in the drill, and two feet between the rows, is sufficient in the best lands. After sowing, the harrow follows immediately, and lightly covers the seed ; and this operation brings the work of the planting season to a close. Here it may be re- marked that one steady ploughman with his horse and drill ; one woman to sow the seed, with a little boy to wait on her and supply the seed; and a large boy with his harrow drawn by a horse; will altogether plant ten acres per diem. _ “Scraping ” or hoeing.—The scraping season com- mences immediately after the plants are above-ground. This operation is very important, as the success of the crop mainly depends upon the neatness and accuracy of the scraping. The great point is to secure a good stand of plants; that is, to leave the plants in regular intervals, and proportioned in width to the poorness or strength of theland. To achieve this object a few care- ful Negro drivers give their whole care and attention to it, following the hoemen to see that neither too much nor too little is taken away. The Cotton as it comes up stands thick in the drill. The hoe is passed through the mass of plants, and cuts away in width as the hoeman is directed by the driver, leaving two plants in a place, thus: : : : : 5 : If both the plants live, one of them is pulled out at the next hoeimg. A ploughman follows these scrapers or hoemen, and runs a slight furrow on both sides of each Cotton row, throwing a little dirt gently among the plants, to replace that which had been taken away by the hoe. Alternate ploughing and hoeing thus con- tinue in rapid succession, each round occupying from fifteen to twenty days, until at length the pods begin to open. Durimg this period, time can scarcely be found to gather the “fodder ’’ from the Indian corn, or even to obtain the grain when it has at last ripened. Gathering.—The gathering season commences about the middle of July, when only a few of the first-formed bolls begin to open. Before, however, these have been 152 153 96 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1sT SEASON. gathered from the whole plantation, the beautiful snow- white tufts of vegetable wool begin to appear, thickly interspersed amongst the deep green and yellow flowers. From that time until Christmas there is no cessation of labour. Six days in the week from daylight to dark the hands are in the field, except when they are inter- rupted by rain, which is always injurious during the picking season, when dry weather is most desired. Every evening the day’s gathering is weighed to see that each hand has done its duty; every hand being expected to pick from 150 to 250lbs. per’ diem, aver- aging in fine weather about 200 lbs.; a result which strangely contrasts with similar work in India, where Mr. Finnie never heard of a hand-gathering exceeding fifteen pounds, and where from. seven to ten pounds is the usual day’s work. After the weighing of the day’s gathering, the Cotton is carried in waggons to the gin- house, and the day’s work is over. Next day the Cot- ton is spread out on plank scaffolds to dry; and a few superannuated Negroes pick it over, and take out the trash that may have accidentally got mixed with it. Thus the seed Cotton goes to the gin almost free from trash, and consequently comes out clean. 154 Uncertainty of weather: average crops.—As re- gards the general failure of the Cotton crop, Mr. Finnie says that he had never known of such a case in Ame- rica, Every year the speculators who have a stock to sell get up a cry of failure ; whilst those who wish to buy exaggerate the probable produce of the season in order to lessen the price. The reason why there never is a general failure seems to be as follows. Poor and rich lands are interspersed through the whole country, except immediately on the river; and whilst the poor lands produce the finest crops in a wet season, the new rich hill lands, and all river bottom lands, produce the best crops in a dry season, or rather in what the Ame- ricans would call a dry season. In estimating the climate, however, it is necessary to bear in mind that the Americans plant their Cotton in the spring, at a time when lands in general have been saturated by all the winter rains, and when it is often difficult to get 1845-46.] MB. FINNIE ON COTTON CULTIVATION. 97 the ground dry enough to plant nicely. Again, after sowing, a good rain is essential to a perfect stand of plants; and indeed during the planting scason, it usu- ally falls at intervals of a few days. Ifno rain falls on the newly-sown field, the plants come up irregularly. Again, if a very heavy rain falls on the newly-sown ‘Cotton, and a hot sun follows immediately after- wards; then, if the ground be old and clayey, it bakes over the seed, and becomes so hard that the plant cannot make its way through it; and a light wooden-tooth harrow is often run over it to break the crust, and thus to let the young plants appear above- ground. But as regards weather, the Planter is a pro- verbial grumbler. It is always too dry or too wet. If ‘he does not get rain every six or eight days during the whole ploughing and hoeing season, he grumbles, and frets, and loses all patience at seeing his “ hands” work- ing to so great disadvantage in the hard land; wearing out his hoes, wearing out the files for keeping the hoes sharp, and obliging his blacksmiths to be always em- ployed in keeping the ploughs in order. Then the Planter in the old hills or uplands is raving because his plants do.not grow in dry weather; whilst his neigh- bour on the river “bottoms” is raving because his plants grow too fast in wet weather. Thus the crop is always pretty regular, except when attacked by the bug or caterpillar; but this casualty seldom happens. The usual rough estimate of an average crop is a bale of 400 lbs. of clean Cotton per acre; the seed Cotton yielding from 30 to 81 per cent. of clean Cotton. Mr. Finnie considered that some lands might produce such a crop ; but he was inclined to estimate the average at about 300 Ibs. of clean Cotton per acre. Expenses of Cotton cultivation: produce estimated, not at so much per acre, but at four to eight bales per Negro.—According to Mr. Finnie, it is impossible to calculate in detail the expenses of cultivating one acre of Cotton ; because there are slaves employed, who re- ceive no wages, and who are also employéd in culti- vating other things beside Cotton. The produce is always roughly estimated at so many bales to the a 155 156 98 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [18ST SEASON. “hand,” varying from four to eight, according to the ability of the Planter and the season. This estimate is exclusive of the other things produced for home con- sumption. All thrifty planters produce all their coarse supplies, such as bread, meat, vegetables, and similar articles for the Negroes’ food. Formerly the Negroes’ clothing was also made at home; but now the ma- chinery has long supplanted the hand-wheel. Alto- gether the Planter now (1847) does not realize above eight per cent. for his money; but then he lives on the produce of the estate, with the exception of such luxuries as his habits and tastes require. Machinery, Gin-house, Gins, Press, and Drawing Machinery.—The expense of American machinery per acre cannot be calculated any more than the expense of cultivation. The following machinery must be pur- chased by the Planter, whether he produces one hun- dred bales of Cotton, or six hundred; excepting per- haps that he might produce the former with one gin only, whereas he would require two gins to produce the latter. Dollars. Gin-house .. .. «+ from 2000 to .. 2500 Two Gins .. .. from 350 to 400 each, say 700 Single Iron Screw Press .. from 500 to .. 550 Driving machinery fitted up from 500 to .. 600 Total Dollars 4350 But the mode of procedure in America is so different from that in India, that the most exact estimate in de- tail of a gin-house and-the necessary machinery would afford no criterion for the arrangements which would prove most beneficial in the latter country. Here in India it will be necessary to give the people something more simple than the gin and large gin-houses for their own use in cleaning their own Cotton. In fact, the seeds of the Indian Cotton are so small, that if the grates of the gin are placed close enough together to prevent the seed from passing through, the saws bring the Cotton so much in contact with the bars, as to cut 1845-46.] MR. FINNIE ON COTTON OULTIVATION. 99 it to a degree that much injures the staple. Accord- ingly, Mr. Finnie considered that the American gin was only suited to the American Cotton; that the two must go hand in hand; and where the American Cot- ton failed, the gin would prove useless. Price of Land: fluctuates with the price of Cotton. —The rent of land in Southern America, as part of the cost of producing Cotton, could not be estimated by Mr. Finnie. In the Southern States, he said, every Planter is a landlord, from the squatter with his small section, to the capitalist with his twenty thousand acres. Land rent is thus unknown, and the value of an estate is never calculated so closely. A Planter who is com- pelled to sell, takes what his neighbours are disposed to give him. Sometimes a wealthy neighbour will offer a very high price for a good plantation in his immediate neighbourhood, because he wants it for an especial ob- ject. Again, it is very often the case that three- fourths, and sometimes seven-eighths of an estate, are’ uncleared forest; and consequently the whole value cannot be estimated according to the produce of that which is under culture. In a word, land in the South- ern States has no fixed value, but seems to fluctuate with the price of Cotton. Minimum price at which American Cotton could be produced, four pence per pound,—As an illustration of the cost at which Cotton was produced in America, Mr. Finnie furnished the following interesting data. Some- time about 1840, when the question of a Cotton supply’ from India was seriously agitated, a meeting was called’ of the most intelligent and distinguished Planters, in order to determine upon the best method of counter- acting the efforts which were being made in that direc- tion. It was then decided that so long as the American Planters could get eight cents (4d.) per lb. for their Cot- ton, delivered at the nearest market, they could afford to produce it; but that if a supply from any other quar- ter could be obtained for less than that sum, they must then turn their attention to the cultivation of other com- modities. Thus by adding 1d. per Ib. to the 4d. for ex- penses to England, we have the minimum price, 5d. per H2 157 158 159 100 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [LsT SEASON. lb., at which it is said America can produce the article. All therefore that remained to be done in India, was the production of an article of an equal quality but at less cost. Prospects of India: labour in America and India compared,—Mr. Finnie believed that the consumption of Cotton would increase in the same ratio as the pro- duction; that under any circumstances all good Ame- rican Cotton, and all good Indian Cotton, would ever find a market. America could not be easily supplanted, whilst she retained all her advantages of enterprise, industry, climate, soil, rivers, steam-boats, and rail- roads. On the other hand, India possessed a territory that would produce a pretty good article of “ New Orleans Cotton,” and that was equal in extent to the whole Cotton-growing region in America; but then to render the cultivation successful, the people must carry it on themselves. Here however, in the matter of cheap labour, India possessed a decided advantage. The interest of the money invested in the purchase of a labourer in America, added to the actual cost of his maintenance, would pay for nine able-bodied men in India. It was true that the American labourer, as one of many, not only provided for the comfort of his master, and supported himself, but he actually enriched his master; whilst the nine Indian labourers would not produce enough, in their capacity of servants to the European, to pay their own wages, to say nothing of paying the land-rent and affording a profit to their employer. But still, if the people of India could only be induced to undertake themselves the improved cul- tivation of the American Cotton, the advantages they possessed in numerical strength, and in the trifling cost at which they could be supported, more than counterbalanced the advantages possessed by America in the shape of greater quantity of Cotton produced per acre and a finer quality of Cotton wool. 160 . Reduction of the Indian land-tax on Cotton grounds would neither benefit the Ryot nor extend the cul- ture,—As regarded the land-tax in India, or Govern- ment assessment upon the lands, Mr. Finnie said that 1845-46.| ME. FINNIE ON COTTON CULTIVATION. 101 there was no land-tax in America. At the same time he expressed an opinion that a general reduction or abolition of the land-tax on Cotton grounds would neither benefit the Ryots nor extend the culture of American Cotton. There might be individual cases where the land-tax was oppressive, and where the Joad ought to be removed; but a general reduction would effect nothing. At present the Ryot. goes into debt to the extent of his means: if his means are in- creased, his credit is increased in a like ratio; and he avails himself of his credit to the fullest extent, and his banker reaps the benefit. Therefore, if Go- vernment did not collect a pice of revenue, the “ poor oppressed Indian Ryot”’ might cease to be the theme of declaimers and grievance mongers, but he would be the “poor oppressed Indian Ryot’’ still. The only difference would be, that he would change his European master who had tried to deal fairly with him, for a ruthless monied fellow-countryman, whose sense of justice would not be very acute. Mr, Finnie’s Second Season, 1846-47: planting oper- ations succeeded at Courtallum but failed at Seva- causey.—To return to the narrative of Mr. Finnie’s proceedings in Tinnevelly.. At the commencement of the second season he planted some New yp, yinnie’s Orleans Cotton at Courtallum, which en- iattere ath joyed the benefit of both monsoons, and oath Sept., also at Sevacausey, which enjoyed the bene- 3847. Parl. fit of only the north-east monsoon. The (1857), p. 278 results are not given in any detail. At 42% Courtallum only a small quantity was planted; but though the land was bad, and the cultivation was much neglected by the people who undertook it, yet the crop proved to be of a fine quality, and under the circum- stances produced a good return. At Sevacausey the result was different. Not a plant lived through the long drought which generally prevailed, excepting those which had been sown on one smiall field, that had been cultivated and irrigated by a-Ryot of intelligence and zeal. This field yielded a crop of American Cotton 161 162 102 coTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2ND SEASON. which was much liked by the people, and they ex- pressed a willingness to plant it again the next year. Mr. Finnie’s Accordingly Mr. Finnie distributed seed, teers isth_ and agreed to take the produce in seed arch, 1848. 3 Parl. Return Cotton before separation, at two rupees (1857), p. 364. per podhee of 280 Ibs. above the market value of the Native article. This purchase is said to have been insisted upon, because the Ryots had found that they could not separate the staple from the seed by their own rude churka; thus rendering it necessary that all American Cotton should be separated by the American gin. The result properly belongs to the proceedings of the next season; but it will perhaps be sufficient to say that this crop also proved an utter failure. Mr. Finnie is disappointed as an Agent: proposal to employ Government Funds.—The Agency operations of Mr. Finnie during the second season were just as Mr. Finnie’s disappointing as his planting operations. letter, 16th He found that the Merchants of Madras Parl. Return and Ceylon had already established their (1857), p-34. own Agents in Tinnevelly, and that con- sequently he must look to other Cotton trading ports for that co-operation from the merchant, which was indispensable to his success. Moreover, in consequence of the delay of nearly a year in granting him permission to act as Agent, the gathering season for 1846-47 was so near at hand, that he feared he should not be able to establish a business connexion in time to accomplish much by that year’s Agency. Accordingly he pro- posed that beside erecting the gin-house, and setting up the machinery, Government should place a sum of money at his disposal. With this money he would purchase Cotton, and ship it to a mercantile firm in England, in order that it might be sold, and the amount of sales be rendered to him direct. By these means he would be in possession of every item of the expense, and would thus be enabled to draw up an annual statement of profit and loss, for the information of Government and of all parties interested in the ques- tion. Ifthe Government could not comply with this 1846-47, ] M2. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 103 request, he was prepared to clean and ship Cotton on his own account to the extent of 30,000 rupees, pro- vided that Government would let him have 4), tes of that amount upon the security of Govern- Consulta. ment paper, without charging him any in- fon. 8th terest on the loan. This proposition fell Parl. Return to the ground, as the Government declined (280), pee to advance money to Mr. Finnie for the purchase of Cotton on his own account. Mr. Finnie’s second year’s operations with the Churka, Thresher, and Gin.— At the commencement of this second season, Mr. Finnie expressed himself still anxious to gin a quantity of Cotton towards completing the Company’s order for six thousand bales. For this object, a gin-house was necessary in which to work his gins, and to obtain this was a work of time. Mean- while he had a second object in view; namely, to in- duce the Natives to engage in the business. Accord- ingly it will be advisable to review, first, his efforts to ersuade the Natives to use the gin; and secondly, is efforts to obtain a house for the working of the ns. : Sale of two Gins to neighbouring Zemindars: their failure—aAs regards the former measure, he appeared in the first instance to have achieved a Mr. Finnie’s eat success. He had actually prevailed Diary, 21st ot two Zemindars of villages i Trea Parl Return each a gin; he, on his part, agreeing to {185%); P.839. take all the Cotton they ginned at a fair letter, 25th price. The gins were set up in houses not me tant: exactly fitted for them; but still the ex- (1857), p.369. 163 164 periment was tried, and Mr. Finnie had the pleasure of © subsequently reporting that the gins were a failure. Their working, he said, was both imperfect and expen- sive. The saw wheels did not project sufficiently through the grates, and the staple was only partially separated from the seed. Again, the gins moved so heavily, that the people employed to work them re- fused to turn the wheel after the second day. Mr. Finnie thought that coercion might do them good, but remembered that they were freemen. Nexthe thought 165 166 104 corroN IN, THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2ND SEASON. of employing cattle labour, as we shall presently see. At a later period however he discovered that the coolies had been either forced to work, or had been only half paid. Consequently their inability had been assumed. , Cotton Brokers rather than Zemindars should be induced to adopt the Gin—Mr. Finnie then expressed Mr. Finnies the opinion that Cotton Brokers rather letter, 16th than Zemindars should be induced to adopt Pari Retum the gin. The two Zemindars who had (1857),p- 346. bought the gins paid little attention to business, and committed the work to some of their numerous dependents; and the latter were ever ready to peculate, by charging heavy expenses to the working of the new machine, and appropriating the surplus over the actual expenditure to their private uses. Con- sequently, the profits, whether large or small, were all absorbed. Mr. Finnie however had found that a class of men, known as Cotton Brokers, were settled in all the large towns in the best Cotton districts; and that it was the business of these men to purchase seed Cotton, to separate the seed from the wool, and then to sell both seed and wool separately. These men of course looked after their own affairs, inasmuch as their profits were derived from their own transactions. Ac- cordingly, Mr. Finnie considered that the Brokers ought to be induced to adopt the gin as the best mode of separating the fibre from the seed; and that there- fore it would be necessary to convince them of its advantages by experiments conducted on the most economical scale. Mr. Finnie’s proposals for erecting a Gin-house and Cattle-driving Machinery in Tinnevelly.— Meantime, —that is, in October, 1846,—Mr. Finnie had formed Mr. Finnie's the design of erecting a gin-house and Oiary: 2ist_ driving machinery in Tinnevelly, for the Parl. Retum purpose of working his gins by cattle (1857), p- 339. Instead of by manual labour. In a word, he desired to set up in Tinnevelly an establishment similar to that of Dr. Wight in Coimbatore. He accordingly made the following proposals. Ist, To 1846-47.] ME. FINNIn’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 105 erect a cheap house, in which either the gin or the thresher might be worked as circumstances required ; and which would give such a permanence to the busi- ness, as would engage the confidence of the Natives around. 2nd, To purchase a set of new driving ma- chinery which was for sale at Jaffna in Ceylon at the price of £155. Both these two propositions sub- sequently underwent some extraordinary transform- ations. The second however involved the relative merits of cattle labour and manual labour, and there- fore may be first discussed. Purchase of Cattle-driving Machinery sanctioned: relative cost of cattle labour and manual labour.— Mr. Finnie’s proposal for the purchase of 5, Wight’s the cattle-driving machinery was strongly _ letter, Tith supported by Dr. Wight, and accordingly 3° #84. sanctioned by the Madras Government. (1857), p.338. There was some discussion about the locality, but finally the village of Sevacausey was chosen in the district of. Tinnevelly, as being the Diary, aist centre of an. extensive Cotton-growing vty 1846. country, and also as containing many es- (1857),p. 339. tablishments for separating the Cotton Peg ae staple from the seed with the Madras Dec, 186, churka. As regarded cattle labour and “""?*** manual labour, Dr. Wight had already tried both methods in Coimbatore. For the first three seasons he had worked his gins by hand labour, the py. wignt's coolies contracting to gin so many maunds _ letter, 1ith of seed Cotton for a certain sum. Sub- Poe sequently he had employed cattle labour, (1857), p.338. and then he had discovered that cattle labour in gin- ning was more expensive than coolie labour. But still Dr. Wight strongly urged that the experiment should be tried, as coolies might be dearer in Tinnevelly than they had proved to be in Coimbatore. Change in Mr. Finnie’s views as regards the Cattle- driving Machinery,—By this time Mr. Finnie’s mind had undergone an apparently unaccountable change. The proposal for purchasing the driving machinery had been made in October, 1846. In November it had been r 167 168 169 106 corron IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2ND SEASON. forwarded to Government with the recommendation of Dr. Wight; and on the 2nd January, 1847, the pur- imies cbase had received the necessary sanction. Ietier, 1th On the 13th J anuary, Mr. ick acknow- Pr Wan edged the receipt of the authority to pur- (1857), p-350. chase, but stated that he had changed his mind as to the expediency of employing cattle labour, and was considering whether by lessening the friction of the gins, they could not be driven best by manual labour.. He therefore requested that the purchase icht’s « Might be postponed. Dr. Wight seems to Totter, isin ts tet eeekal irritated fd this sudden Jan 14s. , Change in the mind of Mr. Finnie. He (1857),p. 348. stated that the purchase of the machinery had been fairly completed; and that without such machinery it would be impossible to complete the Court’s order for six thousand bales. He therefore urged that a house should be procured, and that the cattle-driving machinery should be fitted up at once: that two large gins, of sixty saw wheels each, should be worked by the cattle machinery at one end of the lint room; whilst three or four smaller. gins, of twenty and twenty-five saws each, should be worked by coolies at the other end of the Minutes of room. The result was that the Madras Consulta- Government ordered the purchase money en for the driving machinery to be paid. At Parl. Retum the same time, Mr. Finnie was called upon (1857),p-354. +9 state what he now intended to do with the machinery, and what arrangements he had made for driving his gins by manual labour. His attention was also drawn to a recent despatch from the Court of Directors, stating that the Manchester Association objected to the use of hand gins. Mr. Finnie’s explanation of his apparent inconsist- encies—Mr. Finnie’s explanation of the causes which Mr. Finnie’ss Jed him to advise the purchase may be letter, 29th given in a few words. The Ceylon ma- Parl, Retum Chinery had been recommended to him by (1857),p.855. both Dr. Wight and Mr. Petrie as early as February, 1846; but being anxious to conduct’ his See para. 171. 1846-47.] MR. FINNIN’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 107 operations on the most economical plan, he had not concurred in their views. Subsequently, he had found greater difficulty than he had anticipated in working the gins on the two Zemindaries by manual labour ; and had consequently formed a poor opinion of the physical ability of the people. At the same time, whilst strongly opposed to the use of the gin, he felt that it ought not to be rejected on insufficient data. Accordingly, though he had represented that ginning operations were impracticable as a mercantile trans- action, yet he had recommended the purchase of the driving machinery, in order that no efforts on his part might be left untried for giving the experiment a fair trial. His reasons for subsequently opposing the purchase were as follows. 1st, Mr. Petrie had so far altered the gins, as to remove some of the greatest difficulties in the way of a successful application of manual labour. 2nd, He found that the coolies who worked for the Zemindars were either forced or only half paid; and that when Mr. Petrie’s improvements had been effected, the people were both able and will- ing to work, provided they were paid. 38rd, Hand gins were new to him, as they were never used in Missis- sippi; but after giving further attention to the subject, he had resolved on a plan which would give greater efficiency to manual labour. 4th, He had calculated the extraordinary expenses of driving machinery, such as the cost of the machinery itself, the cost of trans- portation across the Gulf, the cost of transit to the gin- house up country, the cost of erection, and, last but not least, the cost of keeping up an establishment of bullocks all the year round merely to work during the Cotton season. 5th, He considered that the driving machinery had been made to go at a certain speed when drawn by horses walking about four miles an hour; and that the gins would consequently move too slowly when drawn by builocks whose speed would not exceed two miles an hour. The general question however appeared to be partly settled by the Manchester Asso- ciation, who had expressed a decided preference for the gins moved by cattle machinery over the gins 108 CoTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2ND SEASON. moved by hand. But, notwithstanding this authority, Mr. Finnie still believed that the experiment which was about to be conducted would test the relative merits of cattle gins and hand gins; and would thus prove more satisfactory to the merchants and manu- facturers than if conducted with the cattle machinery alone. The President of the Association had indeed said that the hand gins should not be used until their efficiency had been more fully proved; but how was their efficiency to be proved excepting by their being used ? 170 Mr. Finnie’s general objections to the Gin discussed by Dr. Wight.— Whilst this discussion had been car- ried on about the driving machinery, another discus- Paras. 130, | sion had been going on about the gin ge- 181. nerally. Mr. Finnie’s views have already been exhibited. He considered that the gin was unfit for Indian Cotton, and that the churka was unfit for American Cotton. Again, he had urged that the expense of the gin was sufficient to deter the Ryot from using it. His arguments upon this point were referred to Dr. Wight, and the latter dealt with them thus. The whole question of gin Dr. Wieht’s versus churka depends upon whether gin- letter, 7th = ned Cotton will fetch a higher price in the pee Ren English market than churkaed Cotton; (1857),p.845. and that question is in a fair way of being solved by the experiment in progress, of sending home 6000 bales of ginned Cotton and 600 bales of churkaed Cotton to ascertain the relative prices which they would fetch in Manchester. When the relative selling prices have been ascertained, it will be easy to discuss the question of relative cost prices. Thus Mr.: Finnie had stated that the Ryot might lose four rupees per candy on ginned Cotton more than on churkaed Cotton; but then if ginned Cotton would only fetch one farthing per pound more than the other, the merchant would be able to pay that four rupees per candy, and yet secure a still larger profit for him- self. On the other hand, should the gin be found to injure the staple of Native Cotton, it would be soon. Para. 161. Para, 130. 1846-47. MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 109 discarded. Similar opinions were expressed Mr. Petrie’s by Mr. Petrie, the Engineer employed in \stter, 7th Coimbatore to keep the gins in repair. If Parl: Return the ginned “East India Cotton” fetched a {1857),P- 545. higher price in the English market, then the gin would most assuredly force its way into India; just as ma- chinery for shortening labour, or for cheapening it, or for doing it better, had forced its way into other coun- tries, even when it had proved a temporary hardship to the masses. Mr, Finnie’s proposition for erecting a Gin-house of 1 two storeys: the lower one for the Driving Machinery, and the upper one for the Gins.—But to proceed with the narrative. It had now been finally arranged that the cattle-driving machinery should be tried with the large saw gins, and that manual labour should be tried with the smaller gins. Accordingly it was absolutely necessary that a gin-house should be constructed for their reception. Mr. Finnie had for some time been anxious to erect a gin-house. He now pro- 44. pinnie’s posed that this house should be about 78 letter, ist feet long by 24 feet broad; that it should Be 1846. contain six rooms, three on the ground and (1857), p. 348. three on the upper floor; that the room in ee te the middle of the ground floor, and the one Dee., 1846, in the middle of the upper floor, should each March, 1847. be 80 feet long by 20 broad in the inside; eid. pp. sis and that the four end rooms on the ground floor and upper floor should be each 20 feet long by 20 broad.* These two storeys of three rooms each were thus to be appropriated. The upper storey was intended for the gins and the ground floor for the driving ma- chinery and storing of the Cotton, according to the following arrangement. On the upper storey, the two end rooms were to be appropriated to the gins, which would discharge their Cotton into the centre room be- * This would seem to give a measurement for the whole house of 70 feet long and 20 feet broad, instead of 78 feet long and 24 fect broad as above indicated. But the difference is accounted for by the thickness of the walls. a2 8 7 1 110 CoTron IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2ND SEASON. tween them, which was to be called the “lint room.” On the ground floor, the centre room was to be occupied by the wheels belonging to the driving machinery, whilst the two end rooms were to be used as store rooms. The wheels in the lower room would be connected with the gins in the upper rooms by a single band passing through the wall and floor, at an angle of about forty- five degrees. By this plan the gin would receive the compound motion it required. The saw cylinder and the brush wheel revolve in opposite directions; the brush wheel with an accelerated motion of about five revolutions to one revolution of the saw cylinder, which is effected by proportioning the size of the cylinder and brush wheels. The great desideratum in India was to drive both with one band. This object Mr. Finnie proposed to effect by passing the under part of the band over the brush wheel, and thus driving it in an Minutes of OPPOSite direction to that in which it Consulta- drives the cylinder. After some little dis- or is. cussion, the erection of the gin-house at Parl. Return Sevacausey on the above plan was finally (1857), p-364 Sanctioned at a cost of 2699 rupees. 172 Hire of a temporary Gin-house at Aroopoocottah.— The discussions about the driving machinery and gin- house had commenced about the latter end of 1846, but sanction for the erection of the gin-house was not obtained until September, 1847. Meantime the gather- ing season for 1847 had passed away. Mr. Finnie, however, had not suffered the time to be lost without some show of effort. He had three hand gins in his possession, two of twenty-five saw wheels, and one of twenty saw wheels; and he professed to be still anxious Mr. Finnies +o assist Dr. Wight in completing the letter, 23rd Court’s order for six thousand bales. Ac- Serr Reet cordingly, about the commencement of the: (1857), p.279. gathering season, he induced the head man at Aroopoocottah to rent him a house at seven rupees (14s.) a month, and a godown at three rupees (6s.) a month, for the purpose of ginning Cotton to complete the Court’s order. 1846-47.] MR. FINNIL’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 111 Erection of three Gins and a Thresher: their effect upon the Natives.—Having made the necessary alter- ations in the hired house, Mr. Finnie erected two 25 saw-gins, one 20 saw-gin, and one thresher ; and then invited the Cotton Brokers, Chitties, and Ryots to visit the scene of his operatious. Accordingly they came in crowds. He showed them the advantages of the gin over the churka; and they all appeared delighted at seeing the gin separate the staple from the seed, and the Cotton come out so nice and clean. He also showed them how the thresher separated so much dirt from the Cotton. Still however they required time to consider the propriety of adopting so new and wonderful an im- plement. From what Mr. Finnie could learn, they: appeared to reason thus :—“ Here is a gentleman who is come amongst us, and whé proposes to trade in Cot- ton like ourselves. He brings machines which are new to us, and which evidently clean the Cotton beautifully; and he generously offers, either to let us have the ma- chines, or to work them himself in cleaning our Cotton. That the Cotton he produces is superior to our own cannot be doubted; and it will certainly rule the mar- ket to such an extent, that whilst he will dispose of his: superior article to the European merchants, we shall be totally unable to dispose of our inferior and dirty commodity. Under such circumstances we shall have no alternative, but to adopt the gin, or lose the trade by which we make our bread. One point however still remains to be ascertained. The ginned Cotton is evi- dently superior, and ought to bear a much higher price ; but will this increased value be sufficient to pay us for. our additional trouble ?” Testimony of the Brokers that dirty Cotton was more profitable than clean Cotton.—A deputation of Cotton Brokers next waited on Mr. Finnie, to learn how much they were likely to get for Cotton cleaned by the gin, and if there was a market for the ginned article. Hitherto, they said, they had found the dirty Cotton sell almost as readily as clean Cotton, with but a very trifling difference in the price; and certainly the dirty Cotton was more profitable than the best and 173 174 175 112 coTTON IN THE. MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2ND SEASON. cleanest article they could get. The ginned Cotton, they admitted, was certainly superior to their own churkaed Cotton; but then they always engaged to deliver their Cotton with the dirt in it, and if that dirt were removed by the thresher and gins, then it would have to be made up with additional Cotton; and unless a much higher price could be obtained for the ginned article, they would be absolute losers by the improve- ment. Mr. Finnie considered that this argument was conclusive. Dr. Wight had already stated that ginned Cotton only brought in England one farthing more per pound than the com- mon churkaed Cotton; and the loss in dirt alone amounted nearly to that sum. Mr. Finnie admitted that the use of the gin was merely a question of profit and loss. If the Natives could realize.a profit by it, they would adopt it at once. Its success therefore rested solely upon the willingness of the merchant and manu- facturer to pay a higher price for the improved article. Hitherto the men in England, who had been loudest in their cry for clean Cotton, had been only anxious to secure all the advantage for themselves, and to take the clean Cotton from the poor Ryot at the same price as they had hitherto given for the dirty article. Para. 170. MR. FINNIE’'S NOTES ON THE PECULIARITIES OF THE COTTON TRADE IN TINNEVELLY. Systematic adulteration of Indian Cotton: transac- tions between the Ryots, the Brokers, the Chitties, and the European Agent—In order to explain the causes of the systematic adulteration of Cotton, Mr. Finnie entered at considerable length upon the manner in which the Indian Cotton trade was ‘conducted. The results may be thus exhibited. The Ryot is the planter who cultivates the Cotton. The Broker is the Cotton cleaner, who takes the Cotton from the Ryot and delivers it to the Chitty. Again, the Chitty is both merchant and banker :—a merchant so far as he contracts with the European Agents on the coast for the delivery of so much Cotton at a certain price; and 1846-47.] MBE. FINNIE ON INDIAN COTTON TRADE, 119 a banker so far as he makes advances to the Broker, who again makes advances to the Ryot, for the pur- pose of securing the Cotton crop when it is ready for delivery. The Ryot: improvident and helplessly in debt.— 176 The Ryot produces the Cotton of the country. He is always as deep in the Broker’s books as his credit will permit ; and consequently cannot stir without an ad- vance from the Broker on the security of the coming crop. Accordingly the Broker first obtains an advance from the Chitty, who is the monied man in all these transactions, and then advances to the Ryot. The Broker, however, must look sharply after the Ryot, and see that he really does plant his land with sufficient Cotton to meet his engagements; otherwise the Ryot, with his usual reckless improvidence, would spend all the money in a big feast, or wedding, or nautch dance, or some other sort of “tumasha.” The Broker: adulteration of the Cotton by the 177 “Devil’s dust ” system,—The Cotton crop is delivered to the Broker whilst it is still in seed. The Broker is particular in classifying the seed Cotton, and pays the Ryot for it according to its cleanliness. Next he has much of the trash and rotten locks picked out; not to make the Cotton better, but because the rubbish chokes the churka, and prevents it from working. The good Cotton staple is then separated from the seed. After this is done the adulteration commences; for the Chitty contracts so closely with the Broker, that the latter is compelled to resort to what is called the “ De- -vil’s dust” system, in order to secure a living profit. This system may be thus described. The rotten Cotton seed, which had been thrown on one side lest it should -choke the churka, is beaten with a stone to loosen the fibre from the seed, and then passed through the churka. Then the good Cotton and the bad Cotton are both taken into a little room six feet by six, which is entered by a low door about a foot and a half high and two feet wide, and ventilated at a little hole through the outer wall. The object in view is to thoroughly mix the good and bad fibre together. Accordingly, two men go into J 114 corron IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2ND SEASON. this little dungeon with a bundle of long smooth rods in each hand. Each man ties a cloth over his mouth and nose, to prevent his inhaling the flying fibres of Cotton ; and one man places his back against the little door so as to prevent any waste. Then they both set to work and whip the Cotton with their rods, in order to mix the bad and good so thoroughly together that a very tolerable article is turned out. If, after all this “bedevilling,” the Broker can get a living price for his article, he delivers it to the Chitty just as it is, with the addition of only a few seeds. Usually, however, he is shaved so close as to be driven to resort to other means to realize a profit. Accordingly he adds a hand- ful or two of seed to every bundle, or lets it get in by ‘accident; and in this state the Cotton is finally de- livered to the Chitty.* : 178. The Chitty: tricks played with the European Agents——Nothing now remained but for the Chitty to pass off the Cotton upon the European Agent at the coast. It is usually the custom for the Chitty to make a contract with his European Agent, before he himself makes his contract with the Broker. The con- tract is made for such a quantity of Cotton of such a quality ; and of course the very lowest sum is fixed. The Chitty agrees to the contract; knowing that the price fixed is insufficient to secure the quality con- tracted for; but knowing also that when the time for delivery arrives, the Agent must take just what he, the Chitty, chooses to deliver. In other words, the Chitty knows that the European Agents have their engage- ments to meet; that they have made all their arrange- ments for shipment; and that perhaps they have a * A curious instance of adulteration is recorded by Dr. Wight. On one occasion he had several bales of damaged American Cotton, which he did not think worth the cost of sending home; and ac- cordingly he offered it for sale in Coimbatore. To his surprise ‘the Cotton was immediately purchased at the high figure of fifty rupees per candy. Subsequently he learnt that this American Cot- ton was purchased for the purpose of mixing it with some inferior very short-stapled Native Cotton; its long staple enabling the dealer to pass off the whole at full prices as Cotton of the first sort. Parl. Return (1857), p. 295. 1846-47, ] MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 115 ship waiting, and presses lying idle. Under such cir- cumstances he delivers his Cotton to the Agent, who has merely to receive it. The Agent examines the Cot- ton by plucking out a handful and letting the bundle pass. Perhaps from caprice or ill humour, he rejects a “bundle just as good as those he has taken. Then the Chitty gets angry, and orders his people to stop de- livering, as the gentleman will not take the Cotton. The Agent then takes the rejected bundle to induce the Chitty to proceed with the delivery. All, however, depends upon the state of the market. If it is brisk, and the Chitty finds that other Agents are in want of “Cotton to make remittances with, he stops all rejection of inferior bundles, by threatening to throw up the contract; and then the Agent, or rather the young man employed by the Agent to receive the Cotton, is compelled to soften his tone, and to entreat the great Chitty to let him have the Cotton, as his employers will find fault with him if he does not get on with the shipment. If, on the contrary, the market is dull, the Chitty is not quite so independent. Some Cotton is rejected in bulk, and finally put on one side. But still the Chitty is prepared even for this emergency. With- in a day or two the Cotton is loaded on the bandies, and marched round the town; and then comes in fresh from the country, and is all taken as a very good arti- cle. The consequence of all these proceedings is, that the English manufacturer will only give a low price for Indian Cotton, because he never knows what he is buy- ing, nor what quality of Cotton will be found in the bales, nor whether the staple will be dirty or clean. Conclusion of the season of 1846-47: difficulties in the way of conducting the ginning operations at Aroopoocottah.— Notwithstanding Mr. Finnie had se- cured a temporary gin-house in good work- mr. Finnie’s ing order at Aroopoocottah, he had still to . letter, 12th contend, according to his own account, with Parl’ Retum two great difficulties. 1st, He could not (1897),P- 868. purchase good Cotton from the Ryots at market price. 2ndly, The expenses of ginning were so heavy, as to 12 1 9 180 181 116 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2ND SEASON. render its use utterly impracticable as a mercantile transaction. 1st, High prices demanded by the Ryots for their seed Cotton.—The arrangement made by Mr. Finnie to purchase seed Cotton from the Ryots proved a failure ; and he was unable to procure a sufficient quantity to keep his few gins in working order. The seed Cotton delivered to him was always so inferior to the sample that he was compelled to reject it ; and though he was ever willing to take it at a reduced price in proportion to the quality, yet in that case the people preferred selling it to the Brokers. The object of the Ryots appeared to be to compel him to purchase the Cotton at their own price; but against this proceeding Mr. Finnie made a determined stand. Government could afford to lose, but if once the precedent of high prices were established, it could never be broken through. He considered that the object of the experiment was to ascertain if the business could be carried on as a mercantile transaction ; and if high prices were created, no merchant would ever succeed in carrying on the business. 2nd, Heavy expenses of ginning. Mr. Finnie sub- __,,, mitted at the same time a tabular statement, iio gee exhibiting the cost of ginning operations. Sept. 1847. This estimate was confined to the actual ex- Parl. Return : (1857), p.280. penses of the day, excluding the rent of ee the house, and the cost of machinery and Messrs. Ax- | superintendence, Moreover, he reported So cathe tas that the business was conducted, and the isa7, Ibid. expenses disbursed, under his own eye; BESS SEE and consequently with greater celerity and stricter economy than could be expected when left to the Native servants. From his statement, which is exhibited on the opposite page, it would seem that the net cost of. every pound of gin-cleaned Cotton was nearly 33d.. Accordingly, Mr. Finnie inferred that it was utterly impossible to use the gin in cleaning Cot- ton as a mercantile transaction. He also reported the same results to Messrs. Arbuthnot and Co., of Madras ; and the latter concurred in his conclusions, but trusted 1846-47.] MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 117 that a machine might yet be constructed, Messrs. Ar- which would clean the Cotton in a manner o’s letter, equally efficient, and at a less cost. The 17th Sept., Statement of Mr. Finnie bears the following fea title:—“ Tabular Statement, showing the (187).p-56s. quantity of seed Cotton cleaned in a day by one Thresher and three Gins, two.of twenty-five saws, and one of twenty saws; the per centage and quantity of clean Cotton from a ‘given quantity of seed Cotton, and the amount and per centage of waste; the cost of seed Cotton, cost of separating the seed from the fibre, and total cost per candy of clean Cotton in Rupees (reduced to English money), and cost per lb. in English money.’ MR. FINNIE’S TABULAR STATEMENT. Time required to clean No. of Saws. 100 lbs. of Seed Cotton. H. M, Nol... gt BO ats ee anes 18 cif. he 6 25, ae oa 2 7 No.3... + 20 .. .. about 1 0 Ibs. . Total of Seed Cotton in lbs. Avoirdupois .. ~ «+ 1700 Total of Clean Cotton in lbs. obtained from the deat «. 870% Average of Ibs. of Clean Cotton obtained from 100 Ibs. of Seed 21-81 Cotton Seed in Ibs. after separated from the stale =... -—«12802 Average of Seed obtained from 100 Ibs. of Seed Cotton after ginning .. ee see e 75°38 Loss and Trash from heedher in ibe, ss ah 4 294 Do. per 100 Ibs. of Seed Cotton oe ee) 6178 Loss and Trash under the Gin in lbs. are Be = 18 Do. on every 100 Ibs. of Seed Cotton .. 3 1:06 Loss and Trash and small particles of Cotton in Flue in Ibs. 1 Do. on every 100 lbs. of Seed Cotton .. >. 0:06 Imperceptible loss in Ibs... F es 4 Do. on every 100 Ibs.. of Seed Cotton ee OL: 182 118 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [BED SEASON. RAP £ 8. a. Cost for Seed Cotton of six Podhees at Rs. 7-10 (15s. 84.) per Podhee .. «- 456120=411 6 Cost of labour for ginning, or separating the Seed from the Cotton oe ee ee 7 9C6HO15 2 Cost of cloth, sowing, packing, twine, and oil for gins Boe es oe oe .- 2 76=0 4113 Total cost of 1700 Ibs, of Seed Cotton ..651830=511 73 Deduct amount realized for Seed, Rs. 1-6 (28. 9d.) tik a 715 0=0 15 102 Net cost of 3702 Ibs. of Clean Cotton, exclusive of Establishment and Superintendence .. 47 140=415 9 Rate per candy of 500 Ibs. of Cotton after de- ducting amount realized for Seed . . ..64 90=6 9 13 Net cost per lb. of Clean Cotton =. «. aes ae 0 0 8 492 (soma) Necessity for improving the construction of the Gin.— Upon the relative working of each of the gins, Mr. Finnies Mr. Finnie reported as follows. It will be letter, 25rd remembered that he had two 25 saw gins, Parl, Return and one of 20 saws. Each of the two 25 (1857),p.279. saw gins required thirteen men a day to work it; namely, two sets of six men to turn the wheel, and relieve each other alternately; and one man to attend to the gin, such as feeding it with seed Cotton, and removing the staple freed after separation. One gin however would clean 100 Ibs. of seed Cotton in one hour; whilst the other would not clean the same quantity under two hours. Then again the 20 saw gin did almost as much work as the best 25 saw gin, though it only required nine men to work it; namely, one man for the gin, and eight men at the wheel; the latter relieving each other alternately in sets of four. This last gin had -been made by Mr. Petrie, and was pronounced by Mr. Finnie to be the best he had seen io India. These facts served to show that much de- pended on the construction of the machine, and that further improvements might yet bring the gin into constant and profitable use in India. 1847-48.] ME. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 119 Third season, 1847-48: stage of the Cotton experi- 183 ment in Tinnevelly—The general operations of Mr. Finnie during his first ‘two seasons at Tinnevelly do not appear to have been attended with any particular result; beyond ascertaining the facts that American Cotton would yield a good crop in localities enjoying the benefit of both monsoons, and that the American gin as then constructed could not be profitably em- ployed in commercial transactions. Accordingly, he now desired to extend the cultivation of American Cotton, and to take steps for insuring the co-operation of the manufacturers and merchants at home. Planting operations: successful culture of American Cotton in the Courtallum valley—It has already been seen that the American Cotton grown during the second season had only proved really successful in the Courtal- lum valley, which enjoyed the benefit of both monsoons. Accordingly, early in the third season, Mr. yy, pinnie's Finnie obtained the Government sanction _ letters, 24th to establish a model plantation of about #274 aud a hundred acres in the same quarter. The 184. Parl. cultivation was to be carried out upon (1857), pp. lands held by Government, and under his 27: 274 own superintendence, either by hired labour or by con- tract at so much per acre; but the cleaning, planting, and preparation of the soil, were to be accomplished b Native implements, as an example to the landholders, and as an inducement for them to adopt the culture on their own account. At the same time Mr. Finnie proposed to distribute seed to all who were willing to cultivate the American Cotton, ‘and to take the pro- duce off their hands at a fixed rate per candy on Gov- ernment account; and he hoped that in time he should be able to retire from the culture, and leave it entirely in the hands of the people, merely taking the produce at its value. He was perfectly satisfied that the Ame- rican Cotton would grow well, wherever the land en- joyed the benefit of both monsoons; and he had not the slightest doubt but that the people in the neigh- bourhood of those favoured spots would winutes of find the cultivation a profitable source of Consulta: « 184 185 186 120 cCorron IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [SRD SEASON. fion, soth ~~ employment. The Government sanction Parl, Return Was given on the 30th of June, and Mr: (1857),p.275. Finnie immediately proceeded to Court- allum to commence operations; but on his arrival the Mr. Finnie’s heavy burst of the south-west monsoon was letter, 18th over, and he had to wait until the 10th of Parl. Retum September before he could commence clear- (1857),p-864. ing and planting. Notwithstanding, how- ever, that the Cotton was planted too late, we are told that it did very well and produced a good crop. Unsuccessful culture at Sevacausey, Virdooputty, and Aroopoocottah.—During this same season, Mr. Finnie ordered a few acres to be planted with American Cotton at the three stations of Sevacausey, Virdoo- putty, and Aroopoocottah; merely, however, out of deference to the advice of Dr. Wight, and merely to Mr. Finnie’s prevent his opponents from saying that the getter, 23rd experiment had not been fairly tried. At Parl’Return the commencement of the season he ex- 11857), p27. pected a complete failure, but the results Mr, Finnie’s do not appear to have been quite so un- ae isis satisfactory as he had anticipated. At the Pearce close of the season he reported, that whilst 7p" the plants had failed in the open plains, those in protected spots had grown very well and yielded some Cotton. Agency operations: Mr, Finnie requests permission to proceed to England to consult with the Cotton Manufacturers.—-About Christmas time, that is, after Mr. Finnie’s. the Cotton had been planted but before it ‘iter, 2rd had begun to ripen, Mr. Finnie began to Parl. Return grow exceedingly disgusted with his forced: (1857),P.275. Inactivity in Tinnevelly. “Where is the necessity,” he wrote, “of keeping me here to look at the working of three miserable gins? The gin-house, which is ordered at Sevacausey, will not be completed for six or eight months longer; and by that time the coming Cotton season will be over. Thus with the means at my disposal I can do but very little this year ; and at the same time I never shall be able to effect much for the improvement of the Indian Cotton, with- 1847-48. ] MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 121 out I have the ¢o-operation of the manufacturers and merchants at home. I am therefore constrained to propose to the most noble the Governor in Council, the Marquis of Tweeddale, to depute me to England, to consult with the manufacturers, and to ascertain how far they are disposed to patronize the povene measures which they urge on the Honour- _ letter, 17th able Court of Directors.” ‘The Marquis of #27; }848._, Tweeddale approved of this. proposition, (1857),p. 275. and recommended it to the favourable re notice of the Court of Directors. The of birectors, Court however did not see that any ad- isi. ibia. vantage was likely to accrue from such a P76 proceeding, and therefore declined to comply with it. — Operations with the Churka, Thresher, and Gin: meeting of the Cotton Brokers of Tinnevelly— Whilst Mr. Finnie’s proposition to visit England was under the consideration of the Court of Directors, wr. Finnie’s he was still engaged, according to his own jetter, 28th. account, in endeavouring to secure the co- Parl. Return operation of the people in promoting the (187).p.285. improvement of their Cotton. On the 28th March, 1848, he had a meeting with the principal Cotton Brokers of Aroopoocottah, and explained his views respecting the importance of attending to the cleanli- ness of Indian Cotton; as well as his plan for a European Agency, by.means of which he could give a better price for the pure article than for the mixed dirty one., In reply, the Brokers admitted that the gin was an excellent machine, but said that it was too expensive for them. . As regarded the thresher, they said that they were quite prepared to use it for taking the dirt and trash out of the Cotton; first, because it was both good and ‘cheap; and secondly, because it: loosened the Cotton on the seed, and thus enabled the churkas to do more work.. Cost of cleaning with the Thresher and Churka as compared with that of the Gin.—Mr. Finnie then gave to the Brokers for a few days the use of his gin-house and thresher. They brought their own Cotton, as well as their own churkas and people. The Cotton was 187 188 122 corroNn IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [SRD SEASON. first put in the thresher, and then churkaed, for the purpose of ascertaining the cost of this mode of clean- Mr. Fimie’s ing. Mr. Finnie reported that the result ietter, 17th was highly favourable. The relative cost Parl, Retum of cleaning a candy of 500 lbs. of Cotton, (1857),P.288. he estimated as follows :— RBs. A. BP. £ os. d. With the Churka....... 4 14 8=0 9 10 With the Gin........... 10 8 10—1 0 5 In a foot note, however, Mr. Finnie so far modified his opinion as to bring the expense of both methods more to a level. On the one hand, he found it necessary to beat the churka cleaned Cotton; and this process cost Rupees 1-5-9, or 2s. 88d., per candy of clean Cotton. But then, on the other hand, he thought that the gins might be worked at one-third the amount stated, if they were properly constructed, and if the coolies would work at the ordinary hire for daily labour, instead of insisting upon three annas, or four pence half-penny, per diem. 189 Cost at which clean unadulterated Cotton might be supplied,—_Mr. Finnie estimated the actual cost of the pure unadulterated Cotton, first quality, at 52 Rupees or £5 4s. per candy. To this was to be added the beating, which cost 2s, 8id. per candy; and the car- viage to the shipping port, which cost 2s. 103d. per candy. Total, £5 9s. 63d. To this was also to be added the Broker’s profit, which was never fixed, but depended on the fluctuations of the market. Alto- gether, he calculated on the whole, that he should be able to insure a supply of the first quality of Cotton, at from £5 10s. to £6 per candy of 500 lbs. delivered at the shipping port. 190 Recommends the introduction of small hand Thresh- ers and cheap Presses—Mr. Finnie still reiterated that the dirty condition of Indian Cotton was not the ' effect of carelessness, nor of the inefficiency of the Native appliances for cleaning; but that it was the result of a deliberate design and systematic procedure. The Ryots brought their best article as clean, and as free from dirt and -trash,.as the majority of American 1847-48.] MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 123 planters. But this best quality was never seen by the European ; but was all consumed by the Native mer- chants in their domestic traffic. The Cotton taken by the independent Native states, was far superior to any that the European merchants could get at the price at which they expected to obtain it; whilst the refuse of that which was used for domestic manu- factures, was all reserved to be mixed with the article which the European merchant took for export. All that was necessary was, to assist the people with the simple means which they themselves desired. Accordingly Mr. Finnie proposed to give them small hand threshers, both to separate the dirt and trash from the seed Cotton, and to loosen the staple on the seed so as to aid the churka. Also, to remedy their defective mode of packing, by erecting small plain cheap presses in the villages; so that the peo- ple, instead of packing their Cotton in large loose bundles with their feet, might press their Cotton properly in neat small bales, say of 100 lbs. or 120 lbs., of which two would form a bullock-load. Small hand Threshers and Presses sanctioned.—The proposal that Government should set up @ yy, mo. few small hand threshers, and some cheap mas’s letter, simple presses, in different localities, was and Tue. strongly supported by Mr. E. B. Thomas, Fee ai the Collector of Tinnevelly. Accordingly Qrieabes of | it ultimately received the sanction of the Sonsulta- Madras Government; the number of the July, 1848. different machines, as well as their local bi P-29- positions, being left to the discretion of Mr. Thomas in communication with Mr. Finnie. Mr. Thomas believed that Cotton was not adulter- ated by design, and that good Cotton was often sent home.—Mr. Thomas did not coucur in Mr. Finnie’s opinion, that the inferior quality of the Cot- 4. m, ton, and its dirty and adulterated state, were mas's letter, the result of deliberate design and system. 224. Jue., - Neither did he believe that all the best Retum Cotton was used in the country, nor that (1857). P.284. the worst cnly was exported, nor that the European 191 192 193 194 195 124 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [SED SEASON. Agents on the coast bought only the trash.and refuse. On the contrary, he believed that all the Agents were careful and rigorous in excluding bad and dirty Cotton, from their contracts, and that they made every effort to secure a good article; and for several years past he had been at various times into all their warehouses, and had seen very much good clean Cotton, which he had heard had fetched good prices at home. No market or Agency required in Tinnevelly,—At the same time Mr. Thomas stated that a good market for Native Cotton already existed in Tinnevelly, and that there was no occasion for creating a new market, as Mr. Finnie seemed to argue. Cotton in Tinnevell found a ready sale, and the price varied but little from year to year. Again, Mr. Thomas could not under- stand what was meant by the “ co-operation and or- ganized system,” which Mr. Finnie requested from the home manufacturers and the Madras Government. If an Agent for the purchase of all Cotton was intended, such an arrangement should be left to the merchants and manufacturers themselves; but such an Agency, with the advantage of competition superadded, already existed at Tuticorin, where six Agents were already established for the purchase of the best Cotton that could be obtained. Cultivation of New Orleans Cotton, and improved cleaning, the main points.—Mr. Thomas believed that the results to be really attained were :—first, the cul- tivation of the New Orleans and better kinds of Cot- ton; and'secondly, the exercise of greater care and cleanliness in picking and packing. These results could only be obtained by patient perseverance and practical experiment amongst the people. So far as cleaning the Cotton was concerned, Mr. Finnie was profitably employed; but Mr. Thomas considered that larger sowings of better sorts of Cotton, and greater attention to the cultivation of Cotton by Mr. Finnie and others, would prove of much practical benefit. Mr, Finnie’s design for a cheap Cotton Press,—Mr. Finnie subsequently wrote a very long letter in further 1847-48. ] MR. FINNIE’s FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY, 125 explanation of his views, but it adds little or nothing to what has been said before. He reiterated that the Agents at Tuticorin did not take the proper measures with the Natives themselves for securing the best Cot- ton; but added that this was not so much mr, Finnie’s the fault of the Chitties, who were screwed _ }etter, 25th z iB é ct., 1848, down to the lowest possible price, as it was Pari. Return the fault of the English merchants and 897),p.368. manufacturers at home, who had not taken the neces- sary steps for creating a sure market for the superior article. He also forwarded a sketch of a lever press which he had invented for pressing the Cotton into a small compass for packing ; the elasticity of ar. Finnie’s the fine clean Cotton being so great, that \stter, Sist the packing cloth was frequently torn, and Parl: Return a considerable loss sustained by the expo- 187). p.366. sure of the Cotton, and the collection of trash. This press may be thus described, It consisted of two up- rights securely set in masonry, with a cross beam at the top. Between the uprights was a box, with fixed sides, but moveable ends at the top and bottom. Sus- ended from the cross beam was a moveable beam, which could be forced down upon the box by means of levers, acted on either by men or heavy weights. The Cotton was placed in the box and pressed. into a bale by the cross beam, which was forced down by the levers. Mr. Finnie requested that this press might be constructed immediately at the Government Arsenal ; but it never appears to have been completed, as Mr. Finnie subsequently represented that he was engaged in preparing another simple press for Native use. Mr, Finnie’s sample of Churkaed Tinnevelly Cotton equal, to American.—Towards the close of the third season, Mr. Finnie made an announcement to the Ma- dras Government, which serves to place the character ‘of his whole proceedings in the strongest possible light. ‘It has already been seen that Mr. Finnie had opposed -himself equally to the cultivation of the American Cot- .ton and the use of the American gin; and that he pro- -fessed to devote his chief attention to the improvement ‘of the Native Cotton, and of the Native methods of 196 126 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [@RD SEASON. cleaning. Accordingly, whilst the subject of his pro- posed visit to England was still under the consideration of the Court of Directors, he suddenly announced that he had brought the whole question to a successful Mr. Finnie's issue. In May, 1848, he forwarded to the Ta Madras Government a sample of Tinne- Parl Retum velly Cotton, which had been separated (1857), p.283- from the seed by the churka alone, but of which the particles of trash had been subsequently picked out of the wool by hand. This sample he de- clared to be a very superior article ; it had been taken from a roomful, and was a fair sample of what the churka could turn out, under the new régime which he had induced the Cotton cleaners to adopt. If a quantity could only be shipped to England vid Ame- rica, he was satisfied it would be regarded as a good fair quality of American Cotton. The Natives them- selves were scarcely aware that they could make the Cotton so clean, until he had thus induced them to try ; and he believed that a few thousand bales of such an article, arriving in England from India, would be the most important event which the commercial world had known for many years. Already he had nearly the whole of a village at work in producing such very superior Cotton ; and provided that he were sufficiently encouraged, and that purchasers could be found willing to give a reasonable price, he pledged himself to have the whole crop of the district of Tinnevelly ultimately cleaned in this satisfactory manner. A safer invest- ment, he said, could not be made; and he accordingly suggested that the Government should allow him to encourage the production of such an article to the fullest extent.* * The following extracts from the letter condensed in the text will furnish some idea of Mr. Finnie’s style and language. “I have the honour, the pleasure, and the satisfaction to forward for the inspec- tion of the Right Honourable the Governor, a specimen of Cotton which was cleaned by the churka alone, of course, the particles of trash being separated by the hand; and I now have nearly a whole village at work producing such Cotton as this; and if I am en- couraged to go on, I will pledge myself ultimately to have the whole 1847-48. | MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 127 Madras Government refer the sample to Dr. Wight, 197 the Chamber of Commerce, and the Court of Directors, —Before sanctioning large purchases of such Cotton as Mr. Finnie recommended, the Madras Go- yrinutes of vernment referred the sample for ‘the Consulta opinion of Dr. Wight and the Madras pe Chamber of Commerce; and at the same Parl. Retun time required from Mr. Finnie a clear CRO Topieie business-like statement, showing how much Cotton of the same quality as the sample forwarded, Mr. Finnie could command within the ensuing six or twelve months; as well as the price paid to the grower per ‘candy, the cost of packing per candy, the cost of transit to the port, and the freight charges. In a word, the Government desired to learn the data on which Mr. Finnie based his statement, that a safer remittance could not be made. Dr. Wight’s report: Mr. Finnie’s sample is ‘good 198 Tinnevelly,” which no one could mistake for Ame- rican,—Dr. Wight reported on Mr. Finnie’s sample as crop of Tinnevelly thus cleaned, provided always that purchasers can be found wie to give a reasonable price for the article. ‘Hitherto I have not proclaimed success, because I did not con- sider that it had been attained; but I believe now that we have commenced a very pacific ‘‘ revolution” in Cotton among the demo- cratic republicans of Hindoostan !! A free and more independent race does not exist. They are not fond of a total change, especially when unprofitable; but a little persuasive eloquence to convince them that we are in earnest, especially when accompanied by the consonant clink of the coin they like, will speedily bring them to compliance with reasonable demands on their efforts. ‘“‘ A-complete reformation has taken place in some of the Native Cotton cleaning houses here; hitherto they have been filled with rubbish and a “compound of villanous smells,” and now they are clean, nicely matted. This was effected by reason, applied through the shafts of ridicule, of which the people are peculiarly sensitive. “ Amidst mountains of opposition, I have persevered in my efforts to awaken an interest in the people on the subject of the importance to them, individually and nationally, of preparing their great source of wealth ina manner that would render it valuable abroad. The people themselves scarcely knew that they could make the Cotton so clean until they were made to try, They have never had a demand for a clean article, and it is not strange they did not prepare it. Why should they?” 199 128 corroNn IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [32D SEASON. Dr. Wight’s follows. It is such Cotton as would be letter, 2ist called in Liverpool “good Tinnevelly.” In Parl, Return average states of the markets, it would (1857),p.293. realize from 33d. to 44d. per lb.; in more favourable statés it might fetch 5d. or 54d. It is about the same quality as 300 bales of gin-cleaned Cotton, which were sent home from Coimbatore in the begin- ning of 1847, when prices ranged unusually high; and which on that occasion fetched 52d. Six bales of American Cotton purchased from Ryots, were sold at the same time for 62d, “Whilst, however, Mr. Finnie’s ‘sample is the same quality as the 300 bales of gin- cleaned, it must be borne in mind that gin-cleaned Cotton has always sold higher than churka-cleaned ; first, because it looks better and is easier carded; and secondly, because it is more free from sand and other impurities, which add to the weight but detract from the value. Mr. Finnie’s sample however is not a faithful one. The particles of trash have been separated by the hand, and consequently the sample is more valuable than the mass from which it was taken, and which could not be picked in the same manner excepting at a ruinous charge. As regards Mr. Finnie’s statement, that if the Cotton could be sent to England vii America, it -would be mistaken for American Cotton; such a thing ‘is impossible, as the English Brokers would have de- tected it at once from the shortness of the staple. In- deed, the Native merchants at Coimbatore had valued the Tinnevelly at 39 and 40 rupees, or 78s. and 80s., per candy ; whereas they would not value the American Cotton at all, as it had not obtained sufficient currency ‘in the Indian markets for them to fix a valuation. -Again, the fact that six bales of Indian-grown American Cotton sold at Liverpool at 1d. per lb. higher than a batch of first-rate Indian Cotton, sufficiently established ‘the superiority of the American. Large shipment of Churkaed Cotton contrary to the orders of the Directors,— With regard to Mr. Finnie’s ‘request that he might be permitted to make large ship- ments of the churka-cleaned Tinnevelly Cotton, in order to encourage the production of the article, Dr. 1847-48. | MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 129 Wight explained that the despatch from the Court of Directors ordering the 6000 bales, limited the invest- ment to gin-cleaned Cotton. Subsequently, however, during the discussion as to whether or no the saw gin cut and injured the staple, he, Dr. Wight, had obtained permission to purchase about 500 bales of churkaed Cotton to be sent along with the ginned, in order to enable the spinner to ascertain the relative advantages of the two modes of separating and cleaning. The Directors had approved of this suggestion, but had mo- dified it by ordering that sufficient seed Cotton for a thousand bales should be purchased; and that 500 bales should then be cleaned by the gin and 500 by the churka, and the whole be sent home at the same time. If Mr. Finnie could therefore purchase the seed Cotton for this experiment, and would clean one half with the gin and the other half with the churka, his aid would be of considerable service. Dr. Wight’s system of purchase compared with that of Mr, Finnie——Dr. Wight took this opportunity of explaining his own system of purchase, as compare with the organized system darkly alluded to by Mr. Finnie. He had ascertained that carefully picked Cot- ton is never dirtied or mixed with trash in passing through the churka or gin. Accordingly he had sys- tematically rejected every load of ill-picked Cotton, and thus was saved from the necessity, common amongst Native merchants, of mixing the good with inferior qualities. By so doing he was compelled to give from half a rupee to a rupee per candy more than the Native merchants ; but then he secured the pick of the mar- ket; and im all probability his Cotton would fetch higher prices in England than the generality of Native Cotton. Madras Chamber of Commerce confirm Dr. Wight’s valuation of Mr. Finnie’s Cotton—The opinion ex- pressed by Dr. Wight on Mr. Finnie’s sample of Tinne- velly Cotton seems to have been fully endorsed by the Madras Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber found the sample to be very clean and of good yy. ouch. colour, but of short staple. Taking the _ terlony’s K 200 201 202 180 coTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [4TH SEASON. letter, 28th = then extreme range of London prices for Parl, Return Tinnevelly Cotton at 3d. to 4d. per lb., and (1857),p-286. assuming that a parcel of uniform good quality would realize 84d. per lb., the Chamber con- sidered that a parcel equal to Mr. Finnie’s sample, would realize that price, viz. 34 per lb., and possibly might fetch $d. per lb. more. Manchester Commercial Association pass a similar judgment upon the Cotton,—Mr. Finnie’s oe famous sample of Tinnevelly Cotton equal Court of Tn: to American, was of course sent home to July, 1849, the Court of Directors, and by them trans- (as) eitgs, =waitted to Mr, Aspinall Turner, the Presi- uo" dent of the Commercial Association of Man- chester. The result fully confirmed what had beeu already stated by Dr. Wight and the Madras Chamber. In a letter from Mr. Turner to Dr. Royle the following judgment was passed :— “T may say, generally, that the Cotton sent by Mr. Finnie, grown from Native seed, is very much the same as we have been in the habit of receiving for years past from Madras. You are aware that it has not entered largely into consumption in this country; and I can only repeat emphatically, what I have often asserted before, that it is a perfect delusion in Mr. Finnie or any one else supposing that such Cotton will ever pass off to the spinners of Lancashire as a substitute for American Cotton. It has nothing to recommend it, except being of a bright clear colour; the staple is miserably short. The Brokers’ report (Corrie and Co.) states that it has been destroyed in cleaning; but I doubt if it ever had much staple. The samples of American seed Cotton are very different, and are valued by the Brokers at 18 per cent. more than the others.” Such was the brilliant achievement that closed the third season of Mr. Finnie’s career. Fourth season, 1848-49 : proposed extension of plant- Mr. Finnje’s 12g operations —The fourth season of Mr. letter, sist Finnie’s operations at Tinnevelly opened Parl Return With a bold representation, and two equally (1857), p. 282. bold propositions. He represented that 1848-49.] MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 131 his labours in effecting an improvement.in Native Cot- ton were of such vast importance, that he could no longer attend to the cultivation of American Cotton in the Courtallum valley, which he said was nothing more than cultivating an exotic in an oasis. Accord- ingly he begged that the plantation of one hundred acres'at Courtallum, which he had cultivated the preceding year, might be planted for the ensuing season by the Native assistant. At the same time, however, he expressed. his willingness to do what he could in extending the cultivation of American Cot- ton. Notwithstanding the strong objections which he had expressed to the establishment of large Farms; notwithstanding his convictions that, New Orleans Cot- ton would only grow in localities enjoying the influence of both monsoons; he was prepared to set aside his own views, and to establish one Cotton plantation at Aroopoocottah, and another at Sevacausey, on as large a scale as Government thought proper to sanction. For himself, however, he strongly preferred his own system of operating directly through the people. He would employ a number of Ryots, on monthly salaries of from ten to sixteen shillings per mensem, to grow American Cotton on their own lands; the produce to be their property, and when nicely cleaned, to be taken off their hands at four shillings per candy above the current market price of the Native article. The merits of the two systems may be easily compared. A Cotton plantation, under any circumstances, would cost fifteen or twenty pounds a month. If conducted by Europeans, the produce, however successful, would be less than the cost; whilst the enormous expense would frighten the people from the culture. On the other hand, by dis- tributing the same amount among the Natives they would be induced to carry out the experiment them- selves, and would certainly attain success, if success were really possible. These propositions, however, ap- pear to have met with no response from the Madras Government. At the time they were written, the Mar- quis of Tweeddale had departed for Europe, and Sir K2 Para, 184. 204 205 132 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [4TH SEASON, Henry Pottinger had succeeded him as Governor of the Presidency. Mr. Finnie’s matured judgment against the culture of American Cotton or use of the American gin.— Mr. Finnie’s : Shortly afterwards, Mr. Finnie had occasion letter, 20th to record his matured opinion in favour of Pari. Return the indigenous Cotton and Native churka, (1857),P-191. as opposed to the American Cotton and American gin. He could not, he said, after devoting his best attention to the subject, entertain much hope of the success of the American Cotton. It failed in Southern India on account of the cold nights which prevail after a scanty monsoon. If there were oc- casional showers of rain after the Ist of February when the weather became warm, and if the ravages of insects could be also avoided, then the American Cot- ton would succeed admirably; but in the absence of rain at that season, he was afraid that it would never become the staple of India. Again, as regarded the American gin, he could give no hope of its ultimate adoption by the Natives; and as for the European merchants, they never would be able to carry on opera- tions in seed Cotton, but must leave such work in the hands of the Native Brokers. Pronounces in favour of the Indigenous Cotton and Native Churka.— But whilst holding the foregoing opinions, Mr. Finnie looked hopefully forward to such improvements in the Indigenous Cotton and the Native churka, as would accomplish for India what never would be insured by either the exotic plant or the foreign machinery’; namely, the extension and improve- ment of the Cotton of her soil, and the consequent pros- perity of her “poor Ryots.” He did not indeed believe that any degree of culture would materially improve ‘the staple in an Indian climate; but he considered that the Indigenous Cotton was capable of extension, that better culture would insure more ample returns, and that due attention to qualities would secure a large quantity of a most useful and valuable article. Already he believed that more attention was paid to the quality: than formerly ; for the Agents at Tuticorin had informed 1848-49.] MB. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 133 him that more good Cotton had been received there from the crop of 1847-48, than had ever been known before; a result which he attributed in some measure to his own humble efforts to convince the people of the importance of cleaning their Cotton. The perseverance of the Natives in this course would of course depend upon the encouragement they received, and the induce- ments offered them to keep the different qualities se- parate, and the best clean Cotton unadulterated with inferior sorts. Ifthe Natives could make more money by selling the quantities separate, than they could by sellmg them mixed,—then of course they would kee them separate, and much unadulterated Cotton would be exported from India. Native Cotton should be first threshed, next chur- kaed, and finally cleaned by hand—aAs regarded the separation of the staple from the seed, Mr. Finnie was satisfied that the time-honoured churka was a much more efficient instrument than was generally supposed ; and he did not believe that a better substitute would easily be found. Two other processes were however necessary, one before and th@ other after the churkaing. Before the Cotton passed through the churka, the dirt, trash, and rotten locks, should be separated from the seed Cotton; and this, as Mr. Finnie had previously indicated, could be best carried out ‘by the thresher. Then again, after the Cotton had passed through the churka, a subsequent process was necessary to separate the remaining small particles. This process consisted in beating the Cotton on cots, so as to allow the im- purities to fall below it; and this gave a lively and fine appearance to the Cotton, and rendered it really clean and beautiful, as clean indeed as the Cotton generally produced in America. This work was performed by hand, and was certainly tedious; but m a country where there were so many people whose time was of little value, the work could be performed much cheaper by hand than by machinery. “Erection of Mr. Finnie’s Gin-house and Driving Machinery at Sevacausey.—Up to the early part of 1849, Mr. Finnie’s ginning operations appear to have 206 207 134 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [4TH SEASON: been on a very limited scale. Dr. Wight continually urged the importance of completing the order of the Court of Directors for 6000 bales of East India Cotton, but still little or nothing was done by Mr. Finnie. He had, as we have seen, three gins occasionally at work Mr. Fimnie’s in a small house which he had hired at letter, 7th Aroopoocottah; but during the second ov., 1848. : ‘ : Parl, Return season he only ginned nine candies of Cot- (1857), P-198. ton, and during the third season only thirty- six candies; thus making forty-five candies in all,— each candy being equivalent to about a bale. But early in 1849, the new gin-house, which had been com- menced at Sevacausey for the reception of the driving machinery purchased at Jaffna, was fast approaching Mr.Elton’s completion. The delay had arisen from letter, 24th the difficulty of procuring timber, which Parl. Retum had become scarce and dear in Tinnevelly, (1857), P- 300. and which moreover had to be carried a considerable distance from the hills. In February, 1849, Mr. Finnie began to take the necessary steps for procuring two large 60 saw gins from Dr. Wight, and the driving machinepy from Tuticorin, where it had been lodged ever since it had been-purchased. The idea was to keep the three hand gins working in the hired house at Aroopoocottah ; and to set up five new gins in the new Gin-house at Sevacausey ; viz., two 60 saw gins to be moved by cattle, and three 20 or 25 saw gins to be worked by hand, in order to settle the ques- tion of hand labour versus cattle labour. Accordingly Mr. Finnie applied for three more small gins to be worked by manual labour at one end of the new gin- house at Sevacausey ;‘and for two 60 saw gins to be worked by cattle attached to the driving machinery at the other end. The result was that the two 60 saw Mr. Finnie’s gins were obtained and set up; that the letter, nd = driving machinery was also set up; and Parl. Return that twenty bullocks and drivers were ob- (1857),p. 872. tained from the Commissariat department. The three hand gins, however, never appear to have been forwarded to Sevacausey. 1848-49. ] MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 185 Relative cost of the Churka, the Hand Gin, and the Cattle Gin.—But though Mr. Finnie had not been able to set up both the hand gins and the driv- Mr. Finnie’s ing machinery in the same house, he was iter. 11th still enabled, a few months afterwards, to Parl. Return furnish the following table of the relative 857). P. 978. cost of the churka, the hand gin, and the cattle ma- chinery. Cost of separating the staple from a Candy of clean Seed Cotton. R A PB £ w a By the Churka .. .. 414 8-0 910 Bythe Hand Gin(contract) 614 4=013 94 By the same (hired labour) 10 310=1 0 52 By Cattle machinery .. 813 6=017 8&1 Mr. Finnie pointed out that, according to this table, the hand gin, even when worked by contract, was more expensive than the churka; without taking into con- sideration the original outlay, or the cost of wear and tear. Then again the cattle machinery was much more expensive than the hand gin; and if the calculation were made for the whole year, the cattle machinery would be found infinitely more expensive, as the bul- locks and drivers would have to be kept up constantly, even when no ginning was going on. If, however, the 208 people would employ the bullocks in ploughing the | land, as well as in ginning the Cotton, they might reduce the expense; but even then, the capital required for setting up such an establishment would exhaust the whole fortune of several Cotton dealers. Mr, Finnie refused permission to extend his opera- tions to Coimbatore—Whilst the cattle Mr. Finnie’s machinery was thus being put in working letter, 18th order at Sevacausey, Mr. Finnie requested Parl. Return permission to extend his operations to Co- OBat DON imbatore. He stated that the people of Tinnevelly and Madura were now sufficiently aware of the importance of attending to the cleanliness of their Cotton; and 209 136 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [47H SEASON. that the Agents were at last stipulating for a well- cleaned article, which was the great object to be ob- tained as regarded the Indigenous Cotton. The people therefore in the neighbourhood of Sevacausey and Aroopoocottah no longer required such constant per- sonal attention from himself; and he consequently de- sired to extend his system over the length and breadth of the land. As a first step in this important work, he proposed to extend his supervision to Coimbatore ; where he promised not to come in conflict with Dr. Wight, but to devote himself to persuading the people to extend their cultivation of Cotton, and to clean it by the means already at their command, in a manner more suitable to the wants of the purchasers. Mr. Minutes of Finnie, however, was informed that the A eiellte Governor. in Council was not disposed to May, 1849. accede to his application ; and that pending ie certain measures which were in contempla- Pp" tion, and which would be communicated in due course, it was thought best that he should confine his operations to the districts of Madura and Tinne- velly. In other words, the Madras Government had already determined on bringing the Cotton experiment to a close, and dispensing altogether with the services of both Mr. Finnie and Dr. Wight. Indeed in the fol- lowing October, Mr. Finnie appears to have been on his way to England; but before noticing the circum- stances which immediately preceded this event, it will be necessary to glance at a few particulars which are best narrated in a separate chapter, CHAPTER V. DISPUTES BETWEEN DR. WIGHT AND MR. FINNIE, DISCUS~- ‘SIONS OF THE MADRAS GOVERNMENT AND COURT OF DIRECTORS, AND FINAL CLOSE OF THE EXPERIMENTAL CULTURE. 1849 ro 18538. (210.) Marquis of Tweeddale succeeded by Sir Henry Pottinger: breach between Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie.—(211.) Mr. Finnie convinced of the folly of cultivating American Cotton in India: Dr. Wight recommends his removal.—(212.) Points of the dispute: summary of the Correspondence, DISCUSSION BETWEEN DR. WIGHT AND MR. FINNIE. (213.) Mr, Finnie to Dr. Wight, 7th November, 1848: “I have had great difficulties in ginning, but have induced many Natives to plant American Cotton.”—(214.) Dr. Wight to Mr. Finnie, 16th November : “Your purchase of churkaed Cotton is illegal, your culture of American Cotton unsatisfactory, and your ginning too expensive.”—(215.) Mr. Fin- nie to Dr. Wight, 18th December: “ My plans have all been approved by the authorities.”*—(216.) Dr. Wight’s explanations, 30th January. (217.) General opinions of the Madras Government and Court of Di- rectors upon the experimental culture. VIEWS OF THE MARQUIS OF TWEEDDALE. (218.) Propositions of the Marquis of Tweeddale in 1847: First, To relinquish the experimental Farm in Coimbatore.—(219.) Second, To establish small Model Fields under a practical Agency, amongst the Na- tive Cultivators.—(220.) Third, To set up small Gin Establishments, and to keep up good roads to the Ports.—(221.) Limits to Government Agency : the Manufacturer should purchase direct from the Ryot. VIEWS OF THE COURT OF DIRECTORS, (222.) Despatch of the Court of Directors, 1848,—(223.) First, The Cotton Farm at Coimbatore may be relinquished: it has proved that the right Cotton can be grown, and the price alone remains to be ascertained. —(224.) ‘Agency confined to practical Planters” may be tried on a small scale. VIEWS OF SIR HENRY POTTINGER. (225.) Minute of Sir Henry Pottinger, May, 1849.—(226.) The Ex- perimental Farms have been fully tried, and their continuance would be injurious.—(227.) American Cotton in any part of the Madras Presidency. 138 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V. liable to failure.—(228.) Causes of the failure of American Cotton: climate and soil.—(229.) Dr. Wight ascribes the failure in Coimbatore to the want of humidity, but humidity does not mean rain.—(230.) The Ryots should now be left to themselves, with such aid as the Revenue Establishments may give.—(231.) Mr. Finnie to remain in Tinnevelly till October to in- struct the East Indian lads in the use of the gins, &c.—(232.) Dr. Wight should break up his Establishments in Coimbatore immediately.—(233.) Gin-houses at Coimbatore and Aroopoocottah to be placed under the Col- lectors for the use of the Ryots.—(234.) Unfounded complaint of the Manchester Association: the Manchester Merchants ought to help them- selves. (235.) State of Dr. Wight’s Farm at Coimbatore, May, 1849: 500 acres held by contract and 200 acres worked by contract.—(236.) Application ot Dr. Wight to be permitted to sow and gather one crop more: refused, June.—(237.) Departure of Mr. Finnie from the Madras Presidency.—(238.) Mr. Finnie’s last letter, July, 1849: “The gins will always remain idle after Government ceases to use them.”—(239.) Decision of the Madras Government as regards Dr. Wight, reversed by the Court of Directors, September.—(240.) Dr. Wight’s services to be retained: Mr. Finnie’s dispensed with.—(241.) State of the Farms at Coimbatore.—(242.) Dr. Wight cultivates American Cotton by irrigation.—(243.) Postponement of Dr. Wight’s Cotton Report.—(244.) Mather’s improved Churka.—(245.) The Manchester Cottage saw gin.—(246.) Twenty-four Cottage saw gins received by the Madras Government, 1849.—(247.) Report of the Madras Chamber of Commerce: the working of the Cottage saw gin unsatisfactory. —(248.) Expense of the Cottage saw gin an inseparable bar to its employ- ment in India.—(249.) Dr. Wight reports favourably of the Cottage saw gin.—(250.) Prices of the Cottage saw gin to Natives and Europeans. —(251.) Favourable report of the Collector of Tanjore: subsequently re- versed.—(252.) Favourable reports on the Dharwar saw gin.—(253. Dr. Wight compares the working of the Dharwar gin, the Manchester Cottage gin, and the large hand gin.—(254.) Relative cost of labour on the Churka, the Manchester Cottage gin, and the large hand gin.—(255.) Three years’ progress in the Cotton Experiment, 1850-52.—(256.) Colonel Lawford’s cultivation by irrigation in Tanjore.— (257.) Mr. Wroughton’s Collector- ate Farm at Coimbatore.—(258.) Mr. Thomas’s opinion upon the best method of inducing the Ryots to cultivate American Cotton.—(259.) Cot- ton cultivation by Mr. David Lees in Tinnevelly : discussion concerning the right of Chayroot renters.—(260.) Discussion respecting the purchase of American Cotton on Government account from the Ryots of Tinnevelly. —(261.) Authority for the purchase refused by the Madras Government. —(262.) Completion of Dr. Wight’s Report, May, 1852. DR. WIGHT’S FINAL REPORT, 12TH MAY, 1852, (263.) Stage of the Cotton experiment in 1849.—(264.) Improved pros- pee during 1850-51 and 1851-52.—(265,) Previous reluctance of the Ryots to cultivate American Cotton connected with the existence of the Cotton Farms.—(266.) ae encouraged by their own success to extend the cultivation.—(267.) Large results in 1850-51 and 1851-52.—(268.) DISCUSSION OF DR. WIGHT AND MR. FINNIE. 139 Ryots adopt Dr. Wight’s practice.—(269.) Refutation of the theory that the climate and. soil of India are unfitted for American Cotton.—(270.) First, The theory is founded on the assumption that Indian Cotton has succeeded when American has failed.—(271.) Second, The theory is based upon a comparison of crops grown in India, and of crops grown on the Mississippi instead of those grown in Georgia.—(272.) Differences be- tween India and the Mississippi do not prove that the soil of India is in- imical to American Cotton.—(273.) Soil of Southern India: latter com- pared with that of Georgia.—(274.) Climate of Southern India not so congenial as that of Georgia: evil obviated by sowing in August or Sep- tember.—(275.) Leading principles of Cotton culture in the Carnatic: sowing before the North-east monsoon and selection of soil._—(276.) Ob- jection of Native Spinners to the soft and silky fibre of the New Orleans Cotton.—(277.) Difficulty of separating the seed from the staple, and pre- judice against the seed as food for cattle.—(278.) Nothing wanted to secure a rapid extension of the American Cotton culture, but a steady mar- ket and competition.—(279.) Cotton cultivation on the Coromandel Coast : New Orleans, Sea Island, Egyptian, and Brazilian.— (280.) Partial suc- cess of Mr. David Lees on the sandy Coast lands of Tinnevelly: error as regards deep sowing.—(281.) Sandy soils along the Coromandel Coast adapted to the cultivation of American Cotton. (282.) Sir Henry Pottinger’s Government condemns Dr. Wight’s re- port.—(283.) Recommends that, as the Farms had proved injurious, and as the Agency was no longer necessary, all Government intervention should be withdrawn.—(284.) Dr. Wight’s protest against the conclusions of the Madras Government.—(285.) First, The Government Farms had not proved injurious, but the groundless suspicions of: the Ryots.—(286.) Se- cond, The Government Agency had not proved unnecessary, as it removed the suspicions of the Ryots.—(287.) Retirement of Dr. Wight and final despatch of the Court of Directors, 1853. Marquis of Tweeddale succeeded by Sir Henry Pot- 210 tinger: breach between Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie. —In 1849 the Cotton experiment in India underwent anew phase. The Marquis of Tweeddale had retired from the Government of Madras in 1848; and Sir Henry Pottinger was now Governor of the Presidency. Meantime the differences of opinion between Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie had broken out into an open rupture. This obsolete quarrel between the Superintendent of the Cotton Farms, and an American Planter originally engaged to act under his instructions, would of course be unworthy of notice, did it not serve to illustrate the stage at which the Cotton experiment had arrived. It will have been seen that the views and the mode of procedure of Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie were diametri- cally opposed. Dr. Wight had expressed his belief 140 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V. that American Cotton might be profitably cultivated throughout the Peninsula, excepting on the high table lands, where the climate might prove too ecid; and accordingly he had been endea- vouring to ascertain by actual experiments, the princi- ples of the cultivation of American Cotton under the conditions of an Indian soil and climate, and the nature and extent of the advantages possessed by the American gin over the Indian churka. Mr. Finnie, on the con- trary, had expressed his belief that the American Cotton could not be profitably grown in any part of India, excepting perhaps in such isolated spots as enjoyed the benefit of both monsoons; and accordingly he had only planted a little American Cotton at Courtallum, and Paras.127, engaged a few Ryots to plant a little more 188: at Sevacausey and Aroopoocottah, but from almost the very first had regarded the latter experiment as a failure. Again, Mr. Finnie considered that the American gin, however well adapted to American Cot- ton, was wholly unsuited to the Indigenous Cotton; first, because its working was too expensive in a country where labour was so cheap; and secondly, because it cut the fibre of the Native Cotton. Accordingly, instead of cultivating “an exotic aa like American Cotton, in an oasis like Mr, Finnie’s Courtallum,” and “ looking after the work- jotter, 26rd ing of three miserable gins” at Aroopoo- with his” cottah, he had devoted himself to the ex- letter, sist tension of the cultivation of Native-grown Parl. Retum Cotton, and to the improvement of its SOU. PP. quality by methods already available to the Ryots. The point however in which Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie came into direct collision, was the order of the Court of Directors for the 6000 bales of ginned East India Cotton. Mr. Finnie bought very little Cotton for ginning, on the ground that the price demanded by the Ryots was too high; and he excused himself from ginning to any great extent, on the ground that his three hand gins at Aroopoocottah would not work properly, and that he had not got his gin-house and driving machinery erected at Sevacausey. These Para. 180. Para. 204, 1847-49. ] DISCUSSION OF DR. WIGHT AND MR. FINNIE. 141 matters, together with some others, are worthy of being briefly narrated. Mr. Finnie convinced of the folly of cultivating American Cotton in India: Dr. Wight recommends his removal.—In 1847, Dr. Wight was informed that two of the American Planters, who had py, Wight’s returned to England from India, had re- letter, 26th ported that American Cotton could only Qcty #47. be grown in peculiar climates, such as (1857), p.164 those of Dharwar and Coimbatore. Accordingly, he represented this fact to the Madras Government, de- claring it to be a mere hypothetical deduction, based on an imperfect acquaintance with the climates of India; adding however that he should have considered the judgment of no importance, had he not discovered that Dr. Royle had adopted a similar view; and had not Mr. Finnie fallen into the same error, and actually stated in a note, that “he believed he might almost undertake to eat all the American Cotton that would be produced at Aroopoocottah.” Accordingly, about three weeks afterwards, Mr. Finnie com- jy, Finnie’s plained to the Madras Government, that letter, 16th Dr. Wight had “accused the American 3 ae, Planters of forming a “conspiracy,” for (1857),p.278. the purpose of discouraging the British public from persevering in the cultivation of American Cotton. The Madras Government however stated in reply that no such communication had been received from Dr. Wight. Meantime Mr. Finnie seems to have flavoured his official correspondence with frequent sneers at Dr. Wight’s proceedings; and on one occasion, in an official application to Dr. Wight for some Ameri- p, wights can seed, he stated that he was “more and letter, 2nd more convinced of the folly of trying to pi7’yet make this country (India) produce Ameri- (1857), p.181. can Cotton.” In reporting this statement to Govern- ment, Dr. Wight pointed out that it involved a grave error. If the expression referred to India generally, it was altogether incorrect; and if it were even limited to Tinnevelly and Madura, still it was contradicted by the fact that good field-grown American Cotton had 211 212 142 coTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. Y. been raised in those districts, both recently, and also in former years by the Jate Mr. Hughes. Under such circumstances, he was convinced that Mr. Finnie had never given the experiment a fair trial, and that he never intended doing so; and he therefore recommended that Mr. Finnie should be re- moved from the locality where he had been stationed. “In thirty-two months,” said Dr. Wight, “he has cost the experiment about 20,000 rupees, and has not grown one bale of American Cotton, or himself culti- vated, or taken continuous charge of, a single field. ‘What he has done in the ginning department towards aiding in making up the Court’s order, I know not; but:I believe very little.’ In another letter, referring to Mr. Finnie’s sample of Tinnevelly Cot- ton already noticed, Dr. Wight severely commented on Mr. Finnie’s ingonsistency. It seems Dr. Wignts that on the 4th of May, 1848, Mr. Finnie. letter, 2ist had consulted Dr. Wight officially, as to ck what measures he should adopt to overcome (1857), p. 283. the obstinacy of Native dealers in with- holding their Cotton at reasonable prices; whilst on the 24th of the same month, only twenty days after- wards, he stated that he had nearly a whole village engaged in producing Cotton of a very superior quality, and pledged himself to have ultimately the whole crop of Tinnevelly cleaned according to his particular pat- tern. Points of the dispute: summary of the correspond- ence, — The rupture between Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie began about the time of the change of Go- vernors. Sir Henry Pottinger the new Governor, Sir Henry however, declined to take any notice of Pottinger’s. Mr. Finnie’s sentiments or of Dr. Wight’s Minute @' criticisms; and of course within a few Parl. Return months the correspondence between the eae grew warmer and more lengthy than ever. The points in the controversy will now be exhibited in the briefest possible form; just sufficient to illustrate the stage at which the Cotton experiment had arrived in the season of 1848-49. Para. 33. Para. 196. 1848-49. ] DISCUSSION OF DR. WIGHT AND MR. FINNIE. 143 DISCUSSION BETWEEN DR. WIGHT AND MR. FINNIE. Mr. Finnie to Dr. Wight, 7th November, 1848; «I have had great difficulties in ginning, but have in- 213 duced many Natives to plant American Cotton.’— - Having been ordered by the Madras Go- mr. Finnie’s vernment to assist you in fulfilling the letter, 7th orders of the Court of Directors for 6000 Par!’ Return bales of ginned East Indian Cotton, I have (1859).p. 198. to report that I ginned nine candies last season, and thirty-six candies this season, making forty-five in all. I have however had great difficulties in the way of pro- curing seed Cotton. Brokers here go themselves to the Ryots to buy the seed Cotton; so that instead of the Ryots bringing their Cotton to me, as they bring it to you at Coimbatore, I have been compelled to purchase at a high price from the Brokers. The reason of this is obvious. In Coimbatore you are so far from the coast, that there is no local demand; and the people are only too glad to carry their seed Cotton to your gin-house, where they find a purchaser at once. Tinne- velly however is filled with Chitties who purchase for the European agents; whilst there are also numbers of Brokers, who gain their living by churkaing the Cot- ton, and who will not see me deprive thera of their livelihood without a struggle. I have however got fifty-eight candies of Cotton, cleaned by ‘the churka men; and I submit that the quality is equal to that of ginned Cotton, whilst the staple is far better, and the cost much less. Then, again, as regards the working of the gins I have had considerable trouble. The coolies, who turn the wheels, have hitherto refused to work excepting by the day; and I have only just been able to induce them to work by contract at three rupees, or six shillings, per 1000 lbs. of seed Cotton, including threshed work. As regards the gins themselves, I should also like to have the benefit of your suggestions ; for, though properly fixed, they will not turn out so much work as yours; and the mosi we can do with all three is to gin 1760 lbs. of seed Cotton per diem. As regards the introduction of American Cotton, about 144 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. ¥ which you are so anxious, I have the pleasure to men- tion for your gratification, that I have induced many Natives to plant a little. Some have planted it by itself throughout entire fields; others have sown it -with grain; others, again, have scattered the seed among the Native Cotton, with the hope that the stamina of the American may mingle their pollen with that of the Native plant, and thus gradually produce a hardier plant than the American, and one more pro- ductive and of finer staple than the Indian. 214 Dr. Wight to Mr, Finnie, 15th November: “Your purchase of Churkaed Cotton is illegal, your culture of American Cotton unsatisfactory, and your ginning too expensive.”—In reply to your letter, I have to Dr. Wight’s notice your purchase of churkaed Cotton, Ketter, 15th your inducing Natives to plant American Parl. Return Cotton, your sowing two species together (1857),p.199. to obtain a cross, and your ginning oper- ations. As regards the purchase of churkaed Cotton I can offer no opinion; as the purchase of a marketable article in the bazaar is forbidden by the Company’s Charter, and would require the special sanction of Go- vernment. As regards your having induced some Na- tives to grow American Cotton, I am not gratified. You were not sent to Tinnevelly for that purpose, but to show the people how to conduct the culture; and I consider that so long as you stand aloof as a mere looker-on, you do not fulfil your obligations to the Madras Government to serve it as an American Planter. For myself I feel satisfied that the locality you occupy is much more favourable than Coimbatore for the production of New Orleans Cotton; and I think that had the ground been differently occupied during the past three years, the result would have proved more satisfactory there than it has proved in Coimbatore. But the fact is, that you compromised yourself long ago, by declaring that you were convinced that it was a “folly” to try and make American Cot- ton grow in Madura or Tinnevelly ; and now you will not try, lest you should ruin the reputation you imagine yourself to possess. Whilst however you do 1848-49. ] DISCUSSION OF DR. WIGHT AND MR. FINNIE. 145 -nothing, lest you should waste a few rupees of public money, you feel no compunction in inducing the poor Natives to risk their little capital, and their labour, in an undertaking which you confidently pronounce to be hopeless. As regards your expectation, that by sow- ing the two species of Cotton together you may suc- ceed in obtaining a cross, hardier than the one and more productive than the other ;—I can only say that I can give you but little encouragement, as sucha result would be contrary to the laws of nature. To obtain such a cross it would be necessary to open the flowers ‘before natural blooming; to cut out the stamens be- fore shedding their pollen; and then to apply the pollen of the intended male parent to the virgin stigma. If its own pollen has once been applied, the other will not take effect. But even supposing this to happen, and a cross obtained, we should be no great gainers. The Native Cotton might be improved, but it would be at the expense of the American plant. Already the ‘American Cotton is as hardy as the Indian Cotton, and would only be deteriorated by the cross. As regards the ginning, we pay for manual labour one penny (8 pies) per maund of 25 lbs., or three shillings and four pence per 1000 Ibs. One 25 saw gin cleans 1000 Ibs. of seed Cotton in about ten or twelve hours} and one 19 saw gin cleans 750 lbs. in about the same time. If the working of your gins falls below that standard, either the coolies are deficient in training, or there is something wrong in the gins. This last I apprehend to be the case; as in examining the alter- ations you have made in those gins you have returned, I find that you have spoiled both; thus fully proving that you do not understand the mechanism of the Cot- ton gin. I would therefore suggest the propriety of sending down an artificer, to ascertain whether the fault in the working of your present gins lies with the gins or with the coolies. Mr, Finnie to Dr. Wight, 18th December: “My 215 plans have all been approved by the authorities.”—I shall not discuss the subject of the suit- Hr, Fiani?s ability of the American Cotton to India, Dec, iss, L 146 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V. Par). Retumn nor of the American gin to Indian Cotton. (1857), p-203. T shall simply explain what you have mis- understood, and correct your erroneous views. You now remark that the purchase of bazaar Cotton is pro- hibited by the charter ; but in 1846 you recommended the purchase of such Cotton as was ordinarily churkaed by the people. As regards my proceedings in the cul- tivation of American Cotton, I have strictly adhered Paras.127, to the plans which I proposed in my letter 181. of the 26th January, 1846, to which you made no objection. In deference however to your views, and contrary to my own judgment, I recom- mended the establishment of a Cotton plantation in May last, but did not obtain ‘the sanction of Government. How then can you say that I stand aloof as a mere looker-on, and that I do not fulfil my obligations to serve the Madras Govern- ment as a Cotton Planter? I consider that the main object of my mission here is, to improve the Native Cotton, and at the same time to do what I can to in- troduce the exotic. In the first, which is my primary _purpose, I have been most successful; and 1 was told by the gentlemen of Tuticorin, that more good Cotton had been there during the last season than was ever known before. As regards the secondary subject of the introduction of American Cotton into India, what more can be wanted than to see the cultivation in the hands of the Ryots? Ihave agreed to pay them two rupees (4s.) per month for each acre, during the two or three months that embrace the cultivating season ; and also to give them two rupees (4s.) above the market per podhee of 240 lbs. in the seed, or five rupees (10s.) above the market price per candy of 500 Ibs. of clean Cotton. If the business succeeds in the hands of the Ryots, they will extend the culture; if it fails after a fair trial, then the experiment will be for ever set at rest. As regards what I have done in the way of cultivating American Cotton, I may remark in the first place, that my hope of producing a cross by mixing the American and Native varieties, involves no very serious ground of dispute; in all points where Para. 203. 1848-49. ] DISCUSSION OF DR. WIGHT AND MR, FINNIE. 147 botany is concerned, I yield to your superior know- ledge. Secondly, I may remark that I have planted the American Cotton in every possible way, but it all looks wretched ; except some that is sown in Red land among palmyra trees, and those that are most pro- tected by the hedge look the best. I merely state these as facts, and base nothing on them either for or against the success of the plant in this country, Both the Red and Black lands, especially if well manured, would produce Cotton, if at the same time they en- joyed the climate of Mississippi. You say that this locality (Tinnevelly and Madura) is more favourable for the culture of American Cotton than the vicinity of Coimbatore. But this is opposed to your own reports. Here the soil is Black, and you have always asserted that the Black Jand is unsuited for the American Cot- ton; and it was on this very account that you removed our experimental farms to a locality where there is ‘nothing but Red land, and which moreover has the benefit of both monsoons. How then can you assert that the plant will grow here in Black land, which only enjoys the benefit of one scanty monsoon? I think that an experiment of seven years, like yours at Coimbatore, is amply sufficient; and I hope Government will send you out in the open plains to try your skill in the Black and Red soils with only one monsoon. If the culture of American Cotton is ever to confer the expected benefit on India and England, we must get out of the little oases at the foot of the hills, and spread it over the length and breadth of the land. As regard the gins, the band did not run papery) and the Ryot in charge made them carry a leathern rope instead ; but I deny that either of the gins were in any way . injured. Dr, Wight’s explanations, 30th January.—You are correct in saying that in 1846 I recom- pr, Wight's mended the purchase of churka-cleaned letter, 50th Cotton, in order that it might be tried Parl. Return together with ginned Cotton by English (1857).p-205. spinners. This suggestion was approved both by the Madras Government and the Court of Directors; but L2 216 148 corron IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V. ‘at the same time the Court directed that seed Cotton should be purchased by us, and then cleaned by us, partly by the gin and partly by the churka; observing, as I presume, that the purchase of the ready-prepared marketable article would change the character of the transaction from an experimental to a commercial one, and thereby involve our Honourable Masters in an illegal proceeding. This was the reason why I recom- mended you to apply for fresh instructions, before en- gaging in a transaction which might bring the Govern- ment into collision with the mercantile interest, as being a departure from the provisions of an Act of Parliament. As regards the establishment of Cotton farms in Tinnevelly and Madura, I learn that- you readily obtained sanction for the establishment of a small model farm of fifty acres at Courtallum. Had you asked for a similar one at Aroopoocottah, in order to teach the Natives how to cultivate American Cotton, you would easily have obtained it. If however you applied for a farm of 500 or 1000 acres, I can easily understand why it was not granted. As regards the two monsoons, it was you who laid such great stress on the importance of this condition in the cultivation of American Cotton in India. I was formerly, to some extent, of the same way of thinking; but now I am convinced that the opinion is most erro- neous. You propose that I should be sent into the plains, to try my skill in cultivating American Cotton on Black and Red soils with only one monsoon. To this I am most agreeable. I have long wished to have the experiment tried ; and indeed supported your ‘application for employment under this Presidency, for the express purpose of having it tried by a skilful and zealous Planter. At that time you promised me your energetic support. However, a volunteer in the person of the Acting Collector of Tanjore, is now kindly giving me the aid which you then promised to me. He writes me, on the 6th December, “that American Cotton seed, sown early in September, is wonderfully fine ; plants up to 23 feet and 34 feet high, and loaded with bolls, and only waiting for the bright sunshine to ‘Para. 90. 1847.] VIEWS OF THE MARQUIS OF TWEEDDALE. 149- burst. That sown in the beginning of October is just now opening into flower, and is only about one foot high, evidently kept back by the heavy monsoon.” As regards the alterations you made in the gins, they were not small matters as you represent. The position of the brush pulleys was altered; and the result was that one gin revolved the wrong way, whilst the other re- quired six men instead of four to work it. In fact, you injured their working properties, and then complained ot their inefficiency. General opinions of the Madras Government and 217 Court of Directors upon the Experimental Culture— The foregoing correspondence was forwarded to the Madras Government by Dr. Wight; but by this time the whole question of the advisability of continuing the Cotton experiment in any form, was being brought under the consideration of the authorities. The whole cost of the experiment, which in 1847 had git ents reached two lakhs and a half, or £25,000, of the Ac- had now in 1849 reached to very nearly untant- four lakhs, or £40,000; though from this Parl. Re sum total must be deducted about half a 87) P15 lakh, or £5000, for money received asthe sale proceeds of Cotton shipped to England, and the value of saw gins, and other machinery. At the same time, though much information had been obtained, it did not appear that many practical results had been obtained. The action of Government upon the matter can be best understood, first, by noticing the recorded opinions of the Marquis of Tweeddale, and the remarks of the Court of Directors thereon; and, secondly, by bringing forward the views of Sir Henry Pottinger, which led to the temporary abandonment of the experimental cul- ture in this Presidency. VIEWS OF THE MARQUIS OF TWEEDDALE. Minute of the Marquis of Tweeddale in 1847: Ist, 218 To relinquish the Experimental Farm in Coimbatore. —It has already been seen that either the Marquis of 150 coTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [cHAP. V. Tweeddale had adopted the views of Mr. Finnie, or else that Mr. Finnie had adopted the views of the Marquis of Tweeddale. Accordingly his Lordship had on more than one occasion expressed himself favourably disposed towards the practical suggestions of the Ame- rican Planter, rather than towards the theoretical views of a scientific botanist like Dr. Wight. Shortly before his Lordship’s retirement from the Government of Madras, he' drew up several Minutes, in which he re- corded his opinions at length. In the first place he proposed the remission of one-fourth of the rent of all Paras. 121, | lands taken up for the cultivation of Ame- 128. rican Cotton; but this subject has already been narrated elsewhere. His more important pro- Marquis of Position was that the Government should Tweeddale’s immediately relinquish all its Experimental Sept. 1817, Farms and official agency for raising Cot- ane ton. No fair conclusion, he said, could ever oP" be drawn, until private capital and enterprise were embarked in the trial; and that would never take place, so long as Government occupied itself with the experiment. On the other hand, if one-half of the amount that had been expended, had been offered as a bonus to private enterprise—either in the form of advances for the erection of gins and other machinery, or in that of grants of land rent free for a specified term,—he believed that the question would already have been brought to an issue. Again, no fair con- clusion could be drawn from a Government Farm, superintended by men who were not practical agricul- turists, and who consequently were not able to direct the labour of those under them ; but who used Govern- ment capital and Commissariat cattle, which the Native cultivator could not command; and who moreover had no direct interest in the success of the experiment, nor in the limitation of the expenditure. His Lordship did not include Mr. Finnie in these remarks, as he believed it to be a great advantage to Government, to be able to command the services of a practical Cotton Planter. At the same time he expressed an opinion similar to that expressed by Mr. Finnie; namely, that instead of at- 1847.] VIEWS OF THE MARQUIS OF TWEEDDALE. 151 tempting to force on the Ryots the cultivation of American Cotton, efforts should be directed towards the improvement of the Cotton already cultivated in the country. 2nd, To establish small model fields, under a prac- tical Agency, amongst the Native cultivators —With these views, the Marquis of Tweeddale ad- yy, uis of vocated the establishment of an Agency, myveeddale’s confined to practical Planters. He would Minute jth not place large Farms in their hands, but a Parl. Return few small patches of land, as model fields, °%7)»P- 16% in the midst of the Native cultivation. He believed that it was not the soil, nor the plant, nor the land-tax, which shut the Indian Cotton out of the European markets ; but that it was want of skill, and ignorance of practical causes. Accordingly, he would urge on the Collectors and their Assistants, the expediency of acquiring from the American Planter a practical know- ledge of Cotton culture. He would also urge on the Agents themselves, the importance of improving all the species of Cotton which were already cultivated in India, and of inducing Native agriculturists graduall to adopt those approved and inexpensive modes of vith ture, which could easily be engrafted on his own.* 8rd, To set up small Gin establishments, and to keep up good roads to the Ports—These efforts to im- prove the culture of Native Cotton ought to be accom- panied by more economical and experienced methods of gathering and cleaning the crop, and in preparing it for * The Marquis of Tweeddale’s proposition for the improvement of Native Cotton, was communicated to his Excellency Sir William Denison, who thus describes the process suggested, in a Minute dated 29th October, 1861. “From the seed pods of this year’s crop take out those seeds to which the longest fibres are attached, establishing a minimum length of fibre, and throwing away all those seeds the Cotton of which does not reach this standard; these selected seeds will be used for the next crop, and a similar process will be followed with this, the minimum length being increased every year. In this way, in the course of a few years, it is probable that a permanent addition will be made to the length and possibly to the fineness of the fibre, and it will then be easy to spread the seed of the improved kind over the whole of the Indigenous Cotton fields of India.” 219 220 221 152 COTTON IN. THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V. the market. Improvements in this direction should be effected, not by large and costly gin-houses, like that erected at Coimbatore, but by small establishments set up in each Cotton locality. The gins should be of simple construction, and should be provided at the cost of the Government, until the people adopted them; after which the Government should immediately withdraw. Again, it must be borne in mind that although foreign substitutes for cleaning Cotton are most valuable, yet the Native means of hand-picking, in a country where so many women and children belong to the cultivators, will always constitute an essential element in preparing Cotton wool for the Indian market. But besides this improved system of culture, and improved means of gathering and cleaning the crop, it is essential that the Madras Government should, where there is no water carriage, create good roads from the Cotton districts to the several Ports, in order to give the Cotton of South- ern India a chance of competing in Europe with the produce of other countries. Limits to Government agency: the Manufacturer should purchase direct from the Ryot.—The Marquis of Tweeddale expressed his opinion that the Govern- ment could effect nothing beyond the three objects already laid down; viz.,an improved system of cultiva- tion, better and cheaper means of preparing the Cotton for the market, and better communications to the marts or Ports. But even these, he considered, would fail to secure the desired end, unless the manufacturer or his agent were placed in immediate communication with the cultivator, and purchased direct from him. He drew attention to Mr. Finnie’s statements already noticed, that inferior and dirty Cotton was the more profitable article to the Native dealer, and even to the European merchant ; and that consequently their inter- ests were not identical with those of the manufacturers or of the Government. The object of the manufacturer was to raise and bring into the market an article of such quality, and at such a cost, as might stand in per- manent competition with American Cotton. Whereas, the object of the merchant and Agent was to obtain ‘ 1848.]° vyinws OF THE COURT OF DIRECTORS. 153- Immediate profits during the current year. If the in- ferior article yielded a better profit to the merchant than the selected article, the merchant would doubtless take it to any extent off the hands of the Ryot and Native dealer. Under such a system it was impossible to obtain for Indian Cotton a permanent footing and hold in the market. It would either be an unsaleable drug, or else would only fetch unremunerative prices; ex- cept during those occasional seasons when the American crop may be below the average, and consequently when there may be an enlarged demand by the manufacturer. To meet this state of things, the manufacturer must have his own Agent, who thoroughly knows what arti- cle is required, and who cannot be imposed upon by Native dealers to take an inferior article. At the same time, the Agent must be prepared to offer such an ad- ditional price to the Ryot or dealer for the superior and well-cleaned Cotton wool, as will remunerate him. for the additional trouble that has been taken in the improved culture and preparation of the article. If this demand be a steady one, and such as the Ryot may depend upon, the superior article required will be produced at a cost which the manufacturer can afford to pay; and, within a few years, to an extent which is now but little anticipated. VIEWS OF THE COURT OF DIRECTORS. Despatch of the Court of Directors, 1848.—These propositions of the Marquis of Tweeddale, General together with some others which have been gttex. from already noticed, were treated at length in a ors, 4th July, despatch from the Court of Directors. In $4. Par. this despatch the Directors decided; Ist, (1857),p.179. That there should be no reduction of the assessment on lands cultivated with American Cotton, as proposed by Dr. Wight; 2nd, That Mr. Finnie should not be de- puted to England to enter into direct. communication with the English manufacturers; and 8rd, They re- corded their decision upon the propositionof the Marquis of Tweeddale,—to relinquish the Government Cotton, 2 223 224 154 coTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V. Farm at Coimbatore and to confine the agency to prac- tical Planters,—in the two following paragraphs. Ist, The Cotton Farm at Coimbatore may be relin- quished: it has been proved that the right Cotton can be grown, and the price alone remains to be ascer- tained.—“ We concur in your opinion of the expediency of relinquishing the Government Cotton Farm at Co- imbatore. We consider that the object for which this Farm was established has now been fully attained, by demonstrating that the soil and climate of that province are capable of producing Cotton of a description in every way suited to the wants of the English manu- facturers. The point which requires solution is, whe- ther Cotton of this description can be produced at such a cost as to enable it to compete successfully with the Cotton of America in the home market. This point can only be satisfactorily settled by leaving the cultivation in the hands of the Ryots: and not even an approximation to it will be obtained, by carrying on the cultivation at the expense of Government, and under the superintendence of Government Officers. The Government should, however, continue to afford its aid by distributing American seed, either gratuitously or at a trifling charge, to those willing to cultivate it; by authorizing the grant of small prizes for its success- ful cultivation, as we observe you have already done; and by using all the means in your power to introduce improved methods of cleaning the Cotton from the seed, without injury to the staple.” 2nd, “Agency confined to practical planters” may be tried on a small scale——“ The ‘ Agency confined to practical planters,’ which you propose to substitute for the Experimental Farms, is not clearly explained ; but we gather from the Marquis of Tweeddale’s minute of the 11th December, 1847, that he would have ‘ small establishments in each Cotton locality ;’ or, as he else- where expresses it, ‘small patches of land, as Model Farms in the midst of the N, ative cultivation.’ If the object of this measure be to ascertain by actual experi- ment, whether in any particular locality the soil and climate are suited to the production of the American, 1849. | VIEWS OF SIR HENRY POTTINGER. 155 or any other description of Cotton, we see no objection to its being tried on a small scale. It appears to us, however, that much information bearing on this point will be obtained, when the results of the experiments which you have authorized Dr. Wight to institute through the several Collectors of land revenue, with the view of ascertaining the most advantageous time for sowing American Cotton, shall be reported.” VIEWS OF SIR HENRY POTTINGER. Minute of Sir Henry Pottinger, May, 1849.—Sir Henry Pottinger arrived in Madras on the 7th April, 1848. On the 15th July he penned a Mi- Sir Henry nute upon the Cotton experiment, which jp{tinse"s was chiefly confined to approving of Dr. 15th ae Wight’s offering an enhanced price for New Le sat Orleans Cotton grown in India; and to (1857), p.297. sanctioning the establishment of five small threshers and presses in different parts of Tinnevelly and Madura for the use of Mr. Finnie. At the same time, Sir Henry Pottinger expressed a confirmed opinion that however satisfactory the apparent out-turn of public agency might be,—whether through Government Farms or through purchases on behalf of Government,——that out-turn would form no criterion whereby to judge of the future; because the moment the public agency ceased the stimulus would be exhausted, and every trace of it would disappear. He added that Government did all that could be done to obtain the desired object, when it encouraged the people to exert themselves, and placed amongst them qualified persons to advise and instruct them in cultivating, cleaning, and preparing their Cotton. Shortly aftér penning this Minute, the Court’s despatch of the 4th July must have arrived at Madras; but some delay arose from the necessity of considering what arrangement should be made on the cessation of Dr. Wight’s functions as Superintendent of the Cotton Farms.* At last on the 4th May, 1849, * It will be presently seen that the Madras Government partly misunderstood the terms of the Court's despatch. The Directors 225 226 227 156 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V about nine months after the receipt of the Court’s de- spatch, Sir Henry Pottinger recorded his final decisions in a Minute, the points of which may be exhibited in the following form.. The Experimental Farms have been fully tried, and their continuance would be injurious,—The time Sir Henry aS, Dow arrived for the Government to Pottinger’s decide finally, whether or no it will continue fpimute 4th the Experimental Farms, and the employ- Par “Return ment of Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie, and 1857), P20. their subordinates. The Court of Directors has distinctly intimated its concurrence with the views of this Government, that the Cotton Farm at Coimba- tore should be abandoned; and we might have acted upon that intimation at once, only I have been anxious to look narrowly into the whole question once again, in order to propose the outline of an arrangement for the future. I may here state, that from a careful perusal of the whole of the papers, I am perfectly convinced that both the East pts Company and the Madras Government have done all that was either requisite or called for, to give to these Experimental Farms the fairest, fullest, and most liberal trial; and I am there- fore satisfied, not only that they should be discontinued, but that their further continuance would prove injuri- ous to the cause they were intended to promote; inas-. much as it would lead the Ryots to believe that Govern- ment alone possessed the means and faculty of either raising the American Cotton, or of improving the cul- ture and quality of the Cotton of the country. - American Cotton in any part of the Madras Pre- sidency liable to failure.—The Experimental Farms have undeniably established the fact that American Cotton can be grown in the Madras Presidency, and that it will occasionally produce remunerative crops ; but I am strongly impressed with the view that it will in ali cases be liable to failure from the unsuitableness of climate and soil. The American Planters, indeed, were desirous only of relinquishing the Cotton Farm at Coimbatore ; not of removing Dr. Wight from his position of Superintendent of the Cotton Experiment. ‘1849.] VIEWS OF SIR HENRY POTTINGER. 157 have gone farther, and have pronounced that the ex- periment in this Presidency is altogether hopeless ; and not one of them has ever supported the sanguine ‘hopes and predictions of Dr. Wight or Mr. Wroughton. However, the period for predictions and prospects has passed away; and the Farms themselves have merged into a mere mercantile speculation. Causes of the failure of American Cotton: climate and soil—It would be useless, and indeed I am not qualified, to discuss at length the causes of the failure. I believe that the failure is to be ascribed to the natural defects of climate and soil, and especially to the former. 998 am I appeal to all persons, who have practically studied . the subject for any length of time in India, to say whether such defects are not often unaccountably in- surmountable; and whether, even when they are over- come, the success is not to be attributed to some secret working of nature which it is impossible to fathom. I have never attempted the cultivation of Cotton, but I have been a very successful practical gardener in vari- ous parts of India; and I have constantly found it impossible to bring to perfection in one place, the plants which flourished most luxuriantly in another. Who, for instance, can explain why the delicious Mangostein is confined to a small circle in the Straits of Malacca? Why the Maize, which in every part of India requires unceasing irrigation, will yet grow as a dry crop on the hills in the vicinity of Nankin? Why the Pumplenoses (West Indian Shaddock) which grew in my garden at Bhooj, in the rich’ and proverbially hot climate of Kutch, were far superior, both in size and flavour, to any that I have ever seen either at Bombay or on the ‘coast of Malabar ? Dr, Wight ascribes the failure in Coimbatore to the want of humidity, but humidity does not mean rain.—I see that Dr. Wight attributes the failure of the American Cotton in Coimbatore to the want of humidity; and I understand him to signify that the humidity of a climate depends upon the quantity of rain that falls. To this definition I beg to differ. The ‘climate of the lower parts of Scinde is for some months 229 230 231 158 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V. the most humid I ever lived in; and yet the rain, be- yond a few showers, does not usually fall in more than, one year out of three or four. I believe also that there are other regions of the globe to which the same re- mark may be still more forcibly applied. The Ryots should now be left to themselves, with such aid as the Revenue Establishments may give.— I have made the foregoing remarks to show that I have not taken a superficial view of this important question. I give Dr. Wight the highest credit for his zeal and ‘perseverance ; but had he even effected greater results than he has done, I should still think that the Ryots ought now to be left to themselves. The Ryots, how- ever, will still have the advantage of such advice and instruction as can be given them through the Collectors and Revenue establishments ; and I propose that, after the departure of Dr. Wight, his two subordinate as- sistants, Messrs. Sherman and Cuxton, together with the East Indian lads who have been in his service, should be attached to the Revenue establishments, at least for a time. Accordingly, the arrangements I now propose for Mr. Finnie, Dr. Wight, and the subordinates are as follows. Mr, Finnie to remain in Tinnevelly till October, to instruct the East Indian lads in the use of the Gins, ete.—Mr. Finnie’s engagement with the East India Company terminates in October next. He should therefore remain in Tinnevelly until that time, under the orders of the Officiating Collector. He should at once desist from all further purchases of Cotton. He should also cease to interfere with the culture of Cotton, beyond giving his advice when asked for; because if he should tender his advice, and the crop should after- wards fail, the failure would be attributed to his in- novations. He should be ordered to devote his whole time and attention to the instruction of the Natives in the practical use of the gins, presses, churkas, threshers, and other implements required in the cleaning and preparation of the Cotton. One half of the East Indian lads now under Dr. Wight in Coimbatore, should be at once removed to Tinnevelly, and placed 1849.] VIEWS OF SIR HENRY POTTINGER. 159 under the instructions of Mr. Finnie; so that when Mr. Finnie retires, they will be able to take charge of all the Cotton machines. Dr, Wight should break up his establishment in Coimbatore immediately.—Dr. Wight should discharge at once all establishments which have been hitherto employed on the Experimental Farms; and place his two assistants, Messrs. Sherman and Ouxton, and the remaining -half of the East Indian lads, at the disposal of the Collector of Coimbatore. Gin-houses at Coimbatore and Aroopoocottah to be placed under the Collectors for the use of the Ryots,— After the departure of Mr. Finnie, either Mr. Sherman or Mr. Cuxton should be transferred to Tinnevelly. Thus whilst the gin-houses at) Coimbatore and Aroo- poocottah will be under the general superintendence of the Collectors of the district, each one will be in the immediate charge of either Mr. Sherman or Mr. Cuxton. The Ryots should, for a season at least, have the use of these gin-houses gratis, as well as the use of all other agricultural and Cotton-cleaning instruments, which have been so profusely and readily supplied by the Court of Directors. But I do not deem it either necessary or desirable that this system should be con- sidered a permanent one; and both the Collectors of Coimbatore and Tinnevelly will be expected to report to Government, when they consider that the time has arrived for requiring from the Ryots a trifling sum for the use of the Government instruments and machinery. The sole occupation of Mr. Sherman and Mr. Cuxton m their several districts, will be to overlook the proceed- ings of the East Indian lads; who, it is assumed, will ‘be fully qualified to take charge of the Cotton-cleaning apparatus. The Revenue authorities will, on their part, be most careful to guard against any one of the assistants or employers receiving, on any pretence whatever, the smallest private gratification or present for work done with the public machinery. Unfounded complaint of the Manchester Associ- ation: the Manchester Merchants ought to help them- selves,—I have observed that the Manchester Com- ” 232 233 234 235 160 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. y. mercial Association has recently stated, that it has been satisfactorily proved that New Orleans Cottom can be produced cheaply and ‘profitably ; and that if the same amount of encouragement had been afforded ‘in Coimbatore, as had been given in Dharwar, far greater quantities would have been produced. To both assertions I most unhesitatingly demur. Small batches of excellent Cotton wool have been occasionally sent to England from Coimbatore, but they formed’ the excep- tion and not the rule; and as regards the alleged absence of insufficient encouragement, I am sure that no one who has taken the trouble that I have done, to obtain a perfect insight into the whole matter, will for an instant admit the correctness or applicability of the accusation. My own decided sentiments are that the Manchester Merchants must blame themselves, if there should be any inadequacy in the future supply ; unless they come forward, as they have been repeatedly urged to do, and apply their own agents and capital to the task, in which Government has set them the example, and pointed out, according to their own showing, so easy a course. State of Dr. Wight’s Farm at Coimbatore, May, 1849: 500 acres held by lease and 200 acres worked by contract.— Whilst Sir Henry Pottinger’s Minute ‘Memoran. 4 Was still under the consideration of the anciihy Sle other Members of Government, and whilst Mculyos Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie were as yet a ear ignorant of the fate in store for them, Dr. Parl. Return Wight happened to visit Madras, and to (1857),P-211. gall at the office of Sir Henry Montgomery, the Chief Secretary. Accordingly, Sir Henry Mont- gomery took the opportunity of asking Dr. Wight to explain the exact state of his department at that mo- ment. Dr. Wight represented that he had about 500 acres of land, all ploughed and ready for seed. Part of this land consisted of waste ; and part was rented from Ryots, who themselves held the land on puttah or lease from the Government, under the ordinary system of Ryotwary tenure. As regards these last lands, Dr. 1649.] STOPPAGE OF THE COTTON EXPERIMENT. 161 Wight had agreed to pay the Government assessment, and something more to the Ryot as compensation; that is, half as much more on dry land, and twice as much more on garden Jand.* The whole of these 500 acres was worked by. his Farm establishment and cattle ; but in addition, he was preparing about 200 acres to be cultivated by Native labourers employing their Native implements and cattle on the contract system. The ploughing for the season had already been completed ; and he proposed to sow the land in two months’ time, that is, in July, with three different kinds of American seed; and also with some Sea Island seed lately re- ceived from the Court of Directors. The Court’s order for six thousand bales was about half executed; and Dr. Wight continued to purchase Native seed Cotton, and to gin it, as it kept the gin-house cattle at work, and the ginned Cotton yielded a profit of 20 or 25 per cent. on cost-and charges. He had 100 bales of ginned Native Cotton at Cochin ready for shipment; and 8000 rupees worth of seed Cotton, purchased at Coim- batore, was being ginned as rapidly as possible. As regarded the culture of the coming season, Dr. Wight calculated that it would pay all the agricultural ex- enses of the Farm, exclusive of his own salary; and i considered that, now that the sowing time had been changed from the cold weather to July, the American Cotton could no longer be regarded as an uncertain crop. : i salisation of Dr. Wight to be permitted to sow and gather one crop more: refused, June.—It will be seen from the foregomg para. that Dr. Wight was under contract both to Native landholders and to Na- tive cultivators; and that the land had been engaged, and compensation paid, up to May, 1850. Accordingly # All lands under a system of artificial irrigation are called nunjah or garden lands. Those under no irrigation, beyond what is supplied by the natural fall of rain, are called yanjah or dry land. The Na- tive Cotton is generally grown on dry land or punjah. Dr. Wight however had been anxious to try the experiment of growing Ameri- can Cotton on nunjah, or irrigated land. It need scarcely be re- marked that a higher rate of assessment is raised from wuyjah than from punyjah land. a Mu 236 162 coTToN IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [cHAP. ¥. one of the Members of Council suggested that the land might be worked during the coming season, but not beyond the season, Sir Henry Pottinger however in- sisted upon the immediate transfer of the Mr.D.El- Farm to the Collector; and he expressed nute, 12th his surprise that Dr. Wight, who had once May, 184. recommended a remission of half the land (1857),p.213. assessment, should now have actually agreed to pay, not merely the whole of that assess- ment, but an additional compensation of pe aie one half more, and in some cases a rent Memoran- | amounting in the aggregate to double the gum, ivi, assessment ;—a proceeding which it was Parl. Return impossible for the people to understand, (1857), P-212. and which could only deter them from com- Minutes or peting with the Government who possessed Smee such a command of money and means. The June, 1849. Government order was then drafted in ac- Parl. Return cordance with Sir Henry Pottinger’s first recommendations. Dr. Wight appealed. Dr. Wight’s He explained that when procurable he had ee obtained Government waste land ; but that Parl. Return’ otherwise he had been compelled to rent (1857), P-218. Jands of the Puttahdars, or Ryots, who were Para. 39. to all intents and purposes proprietors of the land. This practice had been in force prior to his undertaking the charge of the Farms at Coimbatore, and was altogether unavoidable; as the lands could not be obtained without the payment of compensation to the Ryots, and the amount of com- pensation had been fixed before he was appointed. Dr. ‘Wight also represented that his Farm had been repeat- edly ploughed for the coming season, and that conse- quently from two-thirds to three-fourths of the expense had been already incurred ; all of which would be lost unless the crop was grown. He added that this pecu- niary loss would be small in comparison with those injurious effects on the agricultural community, which were likely to follow the abrupt breaking up of an establishment, which had been in operation for man years, and when it was generally known that nearly all Para. 121. 1849.] DEPARTURE OF MR. FINNIE. 163 the expenses of the crop had been incurred. He there- fore begged that the establishment might be kept up for one season longer. By so doing all these disadvan- tages might be avoided; the excellent and thoroughly acclimated stock of seed would be preserved; and some arrangements might be made for others, such as the Manchester Association, to continue the experiment on their own account. The Governor in 4p. tos of Council however decided that the Cotton Consulta- Farm should be at once transferred to the ion, 29th, Collector, who would carry out all that Parl. Retwm was necessary in consequence of the en- {187),P.218 gagements which Dr. Wight had made. Departure of Mr, Finnie from the Madras Presi- dency.—Such was the sweeping measure carried out by Sir Henry Pottinger’s Government in June, 1849. We shall presently see that, as far as Dr. Wight was concerned, the measure was reversed by the Court of Directors; but the proceedings as regarded Mr. Finnie were fully confirmed. The latter gentleman left the Presidency in the following October, but before his departure from Tinnevelly, he addressed a letter to Mr. Elton the Cvollector of the District, respecting the directions which he had received from Government to instruct the East Indian lads in the work- ing of the gins, and concluding with a general review or estimate of his own labours. Mr. Finnie’s last letter, July, 1849 :—* The gins will always remain idle after Government ceases to use them.”—Mr. Finnie reported that he should be happy to instruct Dy. Wight’s East Indian lads yy pinnie’s in the eareee of the gins, during the _ letter, i7th fifteen or. twenty days that were required erie to clean the seed Cotton on hand; but (1857),p.364, that after that period the gins would never be at work, as the Natives would never use them after Govern- ment had retired from the experiment. So long, he said, as the merchants continued to buy dirty Cotton, so long we must despair of all improvement. Even the hopes which he had entertained the previous year, that the people would take more care in cleaning and M2 Para. 233. 237 238 239 164 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V. packing, had proved altogether abortive; for during the greater part of the season they had realized as much for the dirty Cotton, as he had given them in the early part of the season for the clean Cotton. Under such circumstances, all his efforts to induce the people to employ the gins had of course proved a failure. He had offered them the use of the machines for a mere trifle, and then for nothing ; but they utterly refused to have anything to do with them; “and the gin-house at Sevacausey, and the Ceylon machinery, will remain a cenotaph to the judg- ment of those who urged the purchase after 1 had ascertained that they were not required.” Mr. Finnie concluded his letter with the following expressions, which are worthy of preservation, as exhibiting his own estimate of his labours. “I have not,” he said, “ con- fined myself to the track pointed out by pseudo-sci- entific theory, but have launched boldly into the broad ocean of practical utility, guided by the north star of common sense, which, with some knowledge of politi- cal economy, with due regard to cause and effect, en- ables me to draw approximate conclusions as to the results of certain plain measures in reference to national internal improvement and individual prosperity. My only regret is that I have done so little; that I have accomplished. nothing for the benefit of this country and its Ryots; but I have done my best, and I can now return to my Native land with the proud satisfaction of having discharged my duty to my employers.” These were apparently the last words of Mr. Finnie. It is however currently reported that Mr. Finnie’s last words were of a very different complexion ; and were to the effect that he owed it, as a duty, to his country, to prove that American Cotton would not grow in Personal Southern India, and that this latter duty information. was the one which he considered he had fully performed. Decision of the Madras Government as regards Dr. Wight, reversed by the Court of Directors, September. —The proceedings of Sir Henry Pottinger’s Govern- Para. 187. 1849. ] DE. WIGHT RETAINED. 165 ment as regarded Dr. Wight, seem to have been altogether opposed to the wishes of pospatch the Court of Directors. Immediately after Court of Di- . ‘ rectors, 6th the receipt of the proceedings, the Court Sept. 1849. sent out a despatch, in which they ordered fig, fetye a reversal of the resolutions which had , been passed by the Governor in Council. They were of opinion that, under the circumstances mentioned by Dr. Wight, it would have been desirable to avoid the abrupt termination of bis arrangements. They had previously concurred in the opinion that the Govern- ment Cotton Farm in Coimbatore might be relinquished, because they had considered that the object for which that Farm had been established had been fully attained, “by demonstrating that the soil and climate of the Coimbatore district. were capable of producing Cotton of a description in every respect suited to the wants of the British manufacturer.” But at the same time, they had directed that the Madras Government should continue the distribution of American seed; and they had authorized the cultivation of fields in particular localities, with the view of ascertaining whether the soil and climate of those localities were suited to the production of the American, or any other description of Cotton. Whilst therefore they had believed that the time had arrived for discontinuing the extensive farming operations at Coimbatore, they had not intend- ed to prohibit the cultivation on a small scale on ac- count of Government. Again, they had expressly ordered that Dr. Wight’s purchases of American Cot- ton from the Ryots at remunerating prices should not be discontinued; and it was neither their wish, nor their intention, that Dr. Wight should be removed from the office of Superintendent of Cotton Experi- ments under the Madras Presidency. Accordingly, the Directors expressed their regret that the Madras Government should have adopted a course, which could searcely fail to produce an impression, both in India and in England, that they had become less earnest in pro- moting the object, equally important to both countries, 166 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V- of obtaining from India a supply of Cotton suited to the requirements of the English manufacturers. 240 Dr. Wight’s services to be retained: Mr. Finnie’s dispensed with—The Court of Directors then ordered that the Coimbatore Farms should, if not too late, be cultivated according to the plans laid down by Dr. Wight; and that at the close of the season, both the lands, and the machines and implements, should be delivered over at a fair valuation to any company of Merchants and Planters who might offer to continue the experiment. As regarded Dr. Wight, they con- sidered that before giving up the superintendence of the Cotton experiments, he should be called upon to furnish a clear and connected account of the experi- mental cultivation on the Coimbatore Farms, and in other parts of the Madras Presidency ; together with such observations as his scientific and practical know- ledge might enable him to supply as to the causes of success or failure. Such a report, they said, could not fail to be a useful document, as a guide for those who might be hereafter engaged in similar undertakings. As regarded leaving future operations in the hands of the Collectors, the Directors remarked that little could be accomplished by those officers, unless the latter could look to some properly qualified officer to direct their proceedings, and to digest and methodize such results as might be obtained. Again, considerable advantage was to be expected from the experiments which had been in progress under the superintendence of Dr. Wight throughout the’ Presidency, with the view of acertaining the most suitable time in the year for sowing the American seed; and such experiments would be of little avail, unless the officer, by whose suggestions they had been undertaken, should be in a position to examine and report on these results, aided by his own extensive experience in the practical cul- tivation of Cotton in other localities. Accordingly, the Directors expressed their opinion, that Dr. Wight should retain the position of Superintendent of Cotton Experiments under the Madras Presidency, until these objects were accomplished ; but at the same time they 1849.] RESUMPTION OF THE COTTON EXPERIMENT. 167 approved of the decision of the Madras Government to dispense with the services of Mr. Finnie at the termin- ation of his engagement. Mr. Finnie, as we have already seen, left the Madras Pre- sidency in October this year. State of the Farms at Coimbatore Meantime, Dr: Wight was staying at Madras preparatory pyr. Wight’s to retiring from the service; but on receipt etter, Sie of instructions from the Madras Govern- Parl, Retun ment to resume his office of Superintendent 857) P- 251. of the Cotton Experiment, he at once repaired to Coim- batore, and placed himself in communication with Mr. Thomas, the Collector of the district. The lands he had rented, as described in a pre- vious paragraph, had all been given up to the Ryots, except two or three fields which had been taken up by a Cape Farmer named Prince, who had visited Coim- batore in order to receive instructions in Cotton cul- ture, and who but for that accommodation must have returned without attaining the object of his mission. Dr. Wight cultivates American Cotton by irriga- tion.—As the season was too late for Dr. Wight to cultivate American Cotton as a dry crop, he resolved to try the plan of cultivating both Native and Ameri- can Cotton by the aid of irrigation, as proposed in his Circular of the previous March. Accord- ingly he rented several garden lands, or lands under irrigation ; and he proposed to have them cultivated under his direction by the proprietors of the lands, for the purpose of familiarizing them with his practice. In these gardens he proposed to sow every variety of Cotton seed which he had in his possession ; namely, Sea Island and Bourbon of the long-stapled varieties ; and New Orleans, Petit Gulph, and Native Cotton of the short-stapled varieties. Dr. Wight had also written to Mr. Cuxton in Tinnevelly, to ascertain the capabilities of the climate on the South-eastern coast for the production of American Cotton by a similar course of procedure. Postponement of Dr, Wight's Cotton Report.—The clear and connected account of the experimental culti- Para. 287. Para. 285. Para. 111. 241 242 243 168 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V. vation on the Coimbatore and other Farms, which the Court of Directors had called on Dr. Wight to supply, was postponed for a while until the latter could obtain further materials. Upon this point Dr. Wight observed that such a report, to be really useful and satisfactory, must be comprehensive, embodying both principles and practical details. Ac- cordingly, the completion of the Report was delayed for two years and a half, and was not finally addressed to the Madras Government until May, 1852. Before however exhibiting the subject matter of this final report, three matters require especial notice; viz.—lst, An attempt to improve the Indian Churka; 2nd, An attempt to simplify the American saw gin; and 8rd, The further progress made in the cultivation of American Cotton. 244 1st, Mather’s improved Churka.—This machine was constructed in Bengal, and obtained a prize, but was never fairly tried in the Madras Presidency, nor indeed does it seem to have been regarded as generally satis- Parl, Report 22¢tory. It differed from the ordinary (1857), Ben- oe Churka, described in para. 25, in gal, p. 307, the following particulars. The upper roller “4 and 89 as of steel instead of wood. Te motion of one was communicated to the other by means of a spur wheel and pinion instead of an endless screw, by means of which the upper roller performed four re- volutions to one of the lower roller. A fan of strong whalebone brushes was also attached, for cleaning the staple as soon as it has passed through the rollers ; much in the same manner as the brush-wheel attached to the American gin, cleaned the staple after it was tire: Stieastas separated from the seed by the circular letter, 30th SAWS. Opinions were expressed both by peWiehvs Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie on the descrip- letter, th, tion of the machine which was forwarded Sie Honey to the Madras Government; and accord- eon 2 ingly it was requested that two Mathers’s Para. 240. ter, 17th improved Churkas might be sent to Dr. April, 1648. Wight’s experimental Farm. No further (1857), pp. report upon their working capacity is to be found in the Madras records. From the 1849. ] MANCHESTER COTTAGE SAW GIN. 169 reports published in the Cotton Blue book for Bengal, the improved Churka appears to have failed to meet the expectations which had been formed of either its cheapness or its efficiency; whilst its cost was sixty rupees, or double the cost of the Cottage gin described in the next paragraph. 2nd, The Manchester Cottage saw Gin—The Cot- tage gin was an attempt to simplify the American gin, and so far to cheapen it, as to bring it within the means of the Indian Ryot. Its principle was the same as that of the American gin, and an illustration is ap- pended which will perhaps prove sufficient to explain its working. Instead of sixty or even twenty saw wheels, there are but four, and each saw wheel is only ten inches in diameter. The length of the Cottage saw gin is only two feet; and its height is only twenty inches at the hopper, and sixteen inches over the brushes. The weight of the whole is only pores cot- seventy-five pounds. The saws and brushes ton culture, are put in motion by wheels and bands ? >” turned by two winches, one on each side, which may be moved by two children. The working of the machine is the same in principle as that of the larger gins. The seed Cotton is thrown into the hopper, and carried away by the circular saws; and as the seed is too large to pass through the narrow grating, the staple alone is carried away, and the seeds fall down. Thus the staple is separated from the seed at the moment the saws pass through the grating; and the staple is cleaned and brushed off from the saws by the brush- wheel which revolves in an opposite direction. Twenty-four Cottage saw Gins received by the Ma- dras Government, 1849.—The Cottage saw gins described above, had been constructed Despatch under the direction of the Manchester Court of Di- Commercial Association, as being specially rectors, 7th adapted for the use of the Indian Ryot. March, 1849. The cost, exclusive of all charges for freight Tas: e'd7a, or carriage, was about £3, or thirty rupees, each, Twenty-four of these saw gins were despatched to the Madras Presidency, in order that their efficiency 245 246 247 248 249 170 coTToN IN THE MZDRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V. might be practically tried. The results of their trial by the Madras Chamber of Commerce, and subse- quently by Dr. Wight, may be thus exhibited. Report of the Madras Chamber of Commerce: the working of the Cottage saw Gin unsatisfactory.—In Mr. Nelson’s November one of these Cottage saw gins letter, oth = was submitted to the Madras Chamber of ov., 1849. a Z . Parl. Return Commerce, and was tried twice in the pre- (1857), p-383- senee of the members. Mr. Nelson, the Chairman, reported that the members present regarded the result as unsatisfactory :—1st, Because the mode of operation might have been deranged by a wrong ad- justment of the saws; and 2ndly, Because the gear might have been put in better working order by a person thoroughly acquainted with the machine. ‘The results were thus summed up. The seed Cotton sub- mitted to the action of the gin consisted of New Or- leans, Bourbon, and Tinnevelly. With the New Or- leans the gin did not effectually separate the wool from the seed; its action was frequently choked, and the small quantity delivered was considerably injured in the staple. With the Bourbon the effect was worse; the staple being very much cut up, and rendered unfit for spinning. With the Tinnevelly the gin entirely failed to separate the staple from the seed; and such portions as came through were utterly useless for spinning purposes. Expense of the Cottage saw Gin an insuperable bar to its employment in India—But even apart from these defects in the working of the Cottage saw gin, the Chamber was of opinion that its cost would prove an insuperable bar to its general use in the Cotton districts; and it was doubted whether a Native would voluntarily work a machine of such a description, even if its successful operation was rendered much more evident. The Chairman’s report concluded with the significant notification that no member of the Chamber had expressed a wish to purchase any of the gins. Dr. Wight reports favourably of the Cottage saw Gin.—Four months after the foregoing trial, Dr. Wight sent to the Madras Government a highly favourable 1850. ] THE DHARWAR SAW GIN. 171 report of the working of the same gins. pr. wignt’s He requested that the whole of the Cot- letter, 20th : * 2 arch, 1850. tage saw gins then in Madras might be Parl. Return forwarded to his establishment at Coim- (1857). p-384. batore, with a view to their being cleaned and fitted for work. He said that those already received had been found to do their work exceedingly well; all except the bands, which were unequal to the strain they had to endure during the course of two or three days’ steady working. He therefore felt surprised at the very unfavourable report of the Madras Chamber. Prices of the Cottage saw Gin to Natives and Euro- peans,—A few days afterwards, Dr. Wight reported that he had received three applications for the purchase of Cottage saw gins, and re- Pr, Wight's quested to be informed at what prices he March, 1850, might supply them. The cost price in aoe England was £3 each, and this was of April, 1850. course exclusive of freight and charges. {ssi C'ssn The Madras Government however informed Dr. Wight, that he might dispose of them at twenty- five rupees (£2 10s.) each, or at a lower rate still, if he thought it necessary to encourage purchasers. These orders, however, were only to apply to Native appli- cants ; Europeans were to be charged the prime cost in England, or 30 rupees per gin. Favourable report of the Collector of Tanjore: sub- sequently reversed.—About the same time Mr. Bishop’s Mr. Bishop, Collector of Tanjore, who had {tters, 26th also received two Cottage saw gins from 8th July, Government, reported that they worked #0:.¢°" very well, and inquired whether he could (1857),p. 886. be furnished with three or four more, at a moderate price, for sale in his District. Three months after- wards, however, he countermanded the order, as the Cottage gins tore the Cotton too much to be of ser- vice. Favourable reports on the Dharwar saw Gin.— Meantime, a saw gin in use in Dharwar had attracted the attention of Mr. Pelly, the Collector of Bellary. Mr. Pelly had been informed that the Dharwar gin 250 251 252 253 172 cortoN IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V. Mr Pety's COW!d be worked all day by two men alter- letter, ch. © nately; that it cleaned about 14 maunds Apmil, 1850, (42 lbs.) of seed Cotton per hour, thus doing Cuddapah’s about three times the work of the Man- pug ign —« chester Cottage gin; and that it cost only Parl. Return 40 rupees. At the same time the Collector (1857), p- 387. of Cuddapah expressed a strong opinion upon the importance of introducing a suitable gin. Letter from Accordingly, the Board of Revenue solicited the Revenue sanction from the Madras Government for ‘April,’1850. the purchase of fifty Dharwar gins; twenty- Peas five for experimental use in Bellary, and : twenty-five for Cuddapah; at a cost of £4 Order of Go- each, or £200 for fifty. By this time, how- vernment, ard June, ever, further supplies of the Manchester joo) ot Cottage gin had been received from England, (1857), p-388. making a total of seventy-two gins. Under these circumstances the Madras Government was un- prepared to expend £200 in Dharwar gins; and di- rected that Dr. Wight should furnish the Collectors of Bellary and Cuddapah with as many Manchester Cot- tage gins as could be spared; but in addition author- ized each Collector to purchase for trial in his District five of the Dharwar gins. ' Dr. Wight compares the working of the Dharwar Dr. Wight's Gin, the Manchester Cottage Gin, and the eee large Hand Gin.—The report of Mr. Pelly, Par Retun that the Dharwar gin cleaned 42 lbs. of (1857), P-889. seed Cotton per hour, and that it could be worked the whole day long, naturally led to an applica- tion from Dr. Wight, that he also might be supplied with a model of this machine, for trial in his establishinent at Coimbatore. The letter is somewhat confused, inas- much as information as to the relative cost of labour on the churka and the various sorts of gins, is inter- mixed with arguments to prove that the reported suc- Mather’s cess of the Dharwar gin was incredible. The pene R. latter question, considered apart, may be p.4i5. See’ very briefly treated. The Manchester Cot- also p. 463, tage gins were each worked by only one 60-saw gins man or one woman at atime. If worked ‘at Coimba- tore. by men, the average out-turn of each was 1849-52. ] RELATIVE COST OF LABOUR. 173 from 70 to 75 Ibs. of seed Cotton per diem; if worked by women, the average out-turn of each was only from 50 to 60 Ibs, On the other hand, it was reported that the Dharwar gin, worked by two men alternately, could clean 42 lbs. per hour, or 220 lbs. in six hours, The reported superiority of the Dharwar gins, was equally manifest when compared with the large hand, ‘saw gins, which were built after American models, The Dharwar gins, worked by only two men alternately, could clean 220 lbs. of seed Cotton in six hours, and could be worked for a whole day, thus cleaning 440 lbs. in twelve hours. Whereas the large hand gins, worked by eight men, four and four alternately relieving each other, could only clean about 500 Ibs. in six hours, or about 83 lbs. per hour; and these eight coolies found the work so fatiguing that they could never continue it for more than six hours in one day, Accordingly, Dr, Wight applied for a model of the Dharwar gin; and the Madras Government directed the Collector of Cudda- pah to supply him with one, but no further information respecting the working of it appears upon the records. Relative cost of labour on the Churka, the Man- chester Cottage Gin, and the large Hand Gins.—The coolies on the Manchester Cottage gins were paid at the rate of one anna (13d.) for every maund of seed Cotton which they cleaned; but on the large hand gins they were only paid eight pies (1d.) per maund. This enhanced rate had been found necessary in the first instance to induce the coolies to work the Cottage gin; but Dr. Wight considered that had the lower rate been always paid, their assiduity would have been greater, and consequently the out-turn would have been larger. Again, it is curious to notice that the coolies only cared to earn a certain amount per diem, and did not feel inclined to work more than was necessary to obtain that amount. Thus the women with the churka could only earn each per diem from six to nine pies, that is from three farthings to a fraction more than a penny. The same women with the Manchester Cottage gin could each earn two annas, or three pence, per diem with ease; and they might, if they liked, earn as much as 43d. per diem, but that they never seemed to care 254 255 256 174 coTToN IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V. to do. It seems doubtful whether this reluctance to earn so much, arose from a corresponding reluctance to work, or from a fear lest the rate should be lowered if it was found that they could earn so large an amount per diem. Three years’ progress in the Cotton experiment, 1850-52.— During three years, that is from 1849 to 1852, the Cotton experiment seems to have proceeded with- out many references to Government. This is not sur- prising considering the circumstances. Dr. Wight was carrying on his duties in Coimbatore by the express orders of the Court of Directors, and in' direct opposi- tion to the opinions expressed by the Government of Sir Henry Pottinger. The gin-house at Coimbatore was sold to Mr. D. Campbell, a Madras merchant, who unfortunately died a few months afterwards. Mean- time Dr. Wight continued to distribute American seed, and to purchase the produce from the Ryots; and was also engaged in drawing up the final Report, which had been ordered by the Court of Directors. The general progress of the experiment is thus set forth in this Re- port, which was addressed to the Madras Government in May, 1852, and which will be found fur- ther on. During this period some other Cotton experiments were carried on in Coimbatore, Tanjore, and Tinnevelly, whicli are worthy of special notice. Colonel Lawford’s cultivation by irrigation in Tan- jore.— Colonel Lawford’s successful cultivation of American Cotton in Tanjore by means of irrigation has Para, U1. already been mentioned. No results how-— ever appear to have followed. In July, 1849, eee Mr. Elton, the Collector of Tinnevelly, re- July, 1849, commended that a fair trial of Colonel (asi) cgus, uawford’s plan should be tried in his dis- : trict, as a comparison of the cost of culture Minutes of by irrigation with the cost of culture on tion, 12th = poonjah or dry lands, could alone prove Gent. 1640. , Whether the increase in the produce would (1857),p.305. be sufficient to cover the additional cost of production. But the Madras Government Para. 263. 1849-52. ] MR. WROUGHTON’S COLLEOTORATE FARM. 175 at that time was indisposed to engage in any foe ik further experiments, and passed a resolu- June, 1849. tion that if irrigation was to be tried at all Gu, Rete it must be tried by the Ryots alone. About ae the same time, the Collector of Tanjore was anxious to make a similar experiment on the annicut poara of of the river Manney ; and he suggested that Revenue's he should be allowed to grant a tract of (gitenoth land, rent free for three years, to such Ryots nee pe as should be prepared to cultivate it with ee New Orleans Cotton. The suggestion of syinutes of the Collector was strongly supported by the Consulta. Board of Revenue, but the Madras Govern- a ment considered that it was precluded by fan an the orders of the Court of ere from Bee Dex ; anting any such remission of the assess- patch, it! ment. The Collector, however, was permitted iaciaeaa to distribute American seed at the expense of Govern- ment, and to afford the use of implements to clean and prepare the Cotton for the English market, and to pre- sent small prizes for its successful cultivation. No results appear to have followed the experiment worthy of record. Mr. Wroughton’s Collectorate Farm at Coimbatore. 257 —About the same time, Mr. Wroughton, the Collector of Coimbatore, left the Presidency for Europe. Mr. Wroughton’s successful cultivation of American Cot- ton has already been noticed. During four 4, 4 seasons prior to 1849, he had carried on the mae same experimental culture on a Farm of Menor ‘about sixty acres; and he was anxious that Henry the experiment, should be continued after ne his departure from the country. Sir Henry April, 1810. Pottinger did not consider that Mr.Wrough- (4857), p. 306. ton, any more. than Dr. Wight, had estab- lished any satisfactory result beyond the enor bare fact that American Cotton ofa superior Henry Pot- quality would grow in Coimbatore, and that pen ae if favoured by seasons it would produce very Parl. Return fine crops. ‘The Madras Government, how- (1857), p.808. ever, authorized the continuance of the ex- 258 176. coTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V. periment under a Duffadar, who had been previously engaged under Mr. Wroughton, and who was now to be placed under Mr. Thomas, the new Collector. No actual results appear to have followed the continuance of the experiment ; but some remarks by Mr. Thomas, in reference to the obstacles in the way of inducing the Ryots to cultivate American Cotton, are worthy of notice and may be exhibited here. Mr. Thomas's opinions upon the best method of in- ducing the Ryots to cultivate American Cotton.— Mr. Tho- Mr. Thomas recommended the continuance mas’s letter, of the Collectorate Farm, because the cul- 13th May. tivation of American Cotton would never Return be undertaken by the Ryots, without much a encouragement, and long and satisfactory evidence of its feasibility. He believed that their re- luctance arose from these causes, First, the national apathy and dislike to enter on any new and untried method or speculation. Secondly, the fact that the New Orleans Cotton required a somewhat better soil and moister atmosphere than the Native Cotton, Thirdly, there was a pressing want of a home mar- ket and demand for the American Cotton. This last obstacle was the most important of all. The Na- tive cultivator had neither the means nor the enterprise to grow for a distant or foreign market. The Native merchant would readily buy the shorter but stronger fibre of the Indian Cotton, because it was considered more suitable for Native looms and manufactures; but the American Cotton he would not buy. It therefore remained for private European mercantile agency to create a certain and ready market in the Cotton dis- tricts, by buying the Ryot’s Cotton every year at a fair rate for cash. Such a local agency would command a large supply of New Orleans Cotton, or of any other commodity which the soil and climate of the district were capable of producing. In addition to the creation of local markets, the object in view would be greatly facilitated by advances to the Ryots, personal inter- course, punctual payments, and other similar arrange- ments, private and mercantile, which would be practica- 1849-52. MR. LEES’ CULTURE IN TINNEVELLY. 177 ble through an European Agency. Government also might aid the effort by a very slight and temporary re- ‘duction of the assessment on all lands under foreign Cotton; but still Mr. Thomas believed that a sure and permanent market on the spot would be a sufficient encouragement; and that if the crops of Native Cotton could pay the land-tax, the crops of American Cotton would be able to do the same. Cotton cultivation by Mr. David Lees in Tinnevelly: 259 discussion concerning the right of Chayroot Renters.— The experiments of Mr. David Lees in the Gorrespond- cultivation of American Cotton in Tinne- ence and velly, and their failure on the score of cost oe ps of cultivation, will be found noticed in Dr. 80}), 2.819, Wight’s final report, but a few additional ~~ particulars will find a fitting place here. Mr. David Lees had originally proceeded to Southern India, under the sanction of the Manchester Commercial Associa~ tion, to make experiments and ascertain facts in con- nection with the cultivation of American Cotton. The success of those experiments subsequently induced him to establish his nephew, Mr. Arthur Lees, in Tinnevelly, as a Cotton planter and merchant; in order that he might continue and extend the cultivation, and at the same time purchase all the American Cotton that the Ryots were disposed to cultivate upon his own im- proved system. An obstacle, however, arose to his own cultivation from the claims of the Chayroot renters. These men paid a considerable sum to Government for the right to dig up all the Chayroot * produced in the Tinnevelly district, whether on waste land, or on land occupied with dry cultivation. This right had been farmed out from time immemorial ; and accordingly in December, 1850, nearly a whole year after the com- mencement of the Cotton culture, the Chayroot renters claimed the privilege of entering the fields under cul- ture by Mr. Lees, and of their digging up the Chay- roots with a kind of spear about a foot and a half long. Mr. Lees of course resisted this claim, especially as the digging for the roots was injurious to the cultivation of * A root from which a certain dye is extracted. N 178 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [cHaP. V. American Cotton. The Chayroot renters then de- manded compensation. The matter was brought to the notice of the Court of Directors by the Manchester Commercial Association ; and the Directors instructed the Madras Government to relieve Mr. Lees from any demand in excess of the regular assessment; and on the renewal of the Chayroot farms to restrict the renters to the uncultivated lands. The Madras Government, however, had already anticipated those orders, by can- celling the existing Chayroot farm, and by restricting the terms of future farms in such away as to debar the renters from all lands under cultivation. The matter led to some further correspondence as to the propriety of levying an assessment on the lands producing Cot- ton, equal to what was levied on lands producing Chay- root. As, however, it subsequently appeared that Mr. Lees’s experiment had proved a failure, the quantity obtained being insufficient to pay the cost of culture, no alteration was made in the assessment, and things remained as they were. 260 Discussion respecting the purchase of American Cotton on Government account from the Ryots of Tin- nevelly.—In April, 1852%a correspondence arose respect- ing the purchase of American Cotton from the Ryots , in Tinnevelly. It seems that Mr. Bird, the Collector Dr. Birds of Tinnevelly, had applied to Dr. Wight pence for some fifty or seventy bags of New Or- Parl. Return leans Cotton seed, to be distributed amongst (1857),P.283. the Ryots of the district, At the same time Mr. Bird had represented that if the Government would permit him to purchase the produce of the seed on their account at the rate of nine annas a toolam (24 maunds) on the spot,—being the rate which had been previously paid by Mr. David Lees,—he was satisfied that the Ryots would accept the seed and cultivate it freely; and he added that unless a certain market were placed before the Ryots of Tinnevelly, they would never undertake the cultivation of the New Orleans plant. Dr. Wight forwarded Mr. Bird’s letter to Go- Dr. Wight’s vernment, and recommended that the au- Kuni’ isn, ‘thority requested should be granted. He 1849-52.] DR. WIGHT’S FINAL COTTON REPORT. 179 also suggested that, in such case, the Go- Parl. Return vauieen decision should be forwarded to [8)».88: ‘the Manchester Association; as he believed that the Association would then be induced to establish Agen- cies themselves for the purchase and growth of exotic Cotton at several stations along the coast, and thus give an impetus to the cultivation, which no amount of Government patronage could supply. Authority for the purchases fetaed by the Madras Government.—lIt is scarcely necessary to add that the authority for the purchases was refused by Sir Henry Pottinger’s Government. It was decided yyinutes or that the instructions of the Court of Direct- Sir Henry ors did not authorize the Government to foit ay. sanction any such engagement ; that it was 1852, Order the duty of the Manchester manufacturers ment, ist to send their own agents to the Cotton- une,18s2. growing districts, to make their own bar- (1857), pp. gains with the cultivators. Ifthe rate pro- 3 *5# posed was a fair one, it ought to be offered by the mer- chants; but as it was, the proposition seemed to be in reality a suggestion that the Government should pur- chase Cotton at any price, and then sell it to the manu- facturers of Manchester at such a rate as was best " suited to their trading purposes. Completion of Dr. Wight’s Report, May, 1852,.— About this time Dr. Wight appears to have completed the final Report which he had been called p,. wient's upon to draw up by the Court of Directors. Report, The Report is a long one, but the following {freer summary contains the whole of the facts Parl Heinen and opinions set forth in the original docu- Dae ment. This was deemed peculiarly necessary here; for though much that is stated has already appeared in former paragraphs, it will be convenient for the reader to have the whole of Dr. Wight’s matured results at one view. It will be remarked that nothing is said of the results of the season of 1849-50 when the irrigation experiment was tried; and indeed there is reason to believe that the experiment proved a failure in Coimba- tore. a o N2 261 262 180 coTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V. DR. WIGHT’S FINAL REPORT, 12TH MAY, 1852. 268 Stage of the Cotton experiment in 1849.—The fol- lowing Report has been delayed in order to enable me to exhibit the very important changes which have taken place during the last three years, and which are going ‘on, I trust, with still greater rapidity. Previous to 1849,* notwithstanding the inducements held out. of high prices and certain markets, the Ryots of Coim- batore would only cultivate American Cotton to a very limited extent; and then they proceeded in such an unwilling and unsatisfactory manner as almost to en- sure a failure. At the same time, the reports, which reached me from other parts of the country, were ge- nerally unfavourable; and almost led to the belief that the soil and climate of India were actually unfitted for the growth of American Cotton, and that my own con- victions to the contrary were based upon error; though in reality they rested upon the fact that we usually produced good average crops, and often very heavy ones, under circumstances which were by no means peculiarly favourable. 264 Improved prospects during 1850-51 and 1851-52.— Within the last ten years a series of changes have taken place, not perhaps sufficiently advanced to admit of certain conclusions, but still holding out a most en- couraging prospect. Within that brief period, many of the Ryots of Coimbatore appear to have become so convinced of the great advantages to be derived from cultivating American instead of Native Cotton, that last season they planted between 1500 and 2000 acres of ground with it, and seem as if they intended to treble the quantity during the present year. At the same time I have had numerous requisitions from various quarters for supplies of seed; and in answer to my Circular ad- dressed to the Collectors, all except one have requested more or less of the new seed just arrived from home for their respective districts. Lastly, within about the same period, a novel extension has been given to the experiment, which promises to yield most important * The year Mr, Finnie, the American Planter, left India, 1852.] DE. WIGHT’S FINAL COTTON REPORT. 181 results. I allude to those trials which are now in pro- gress on the sea coast. These trials have been con- ducted under considerable disadvantages, originating from want of agricultural experience; but still their past success almost leads one to anticipate, that the Sandy soils of the coast will hold the same relation to the American Cotton as the Black soils of the interior hold to the Native plant. Previous reluctance of the Ryots to cultivate Ame- rican Cotton connected with the existence of the Cot- ton Farms.—I cannot account for the previous unwill- ingness of the Natives of Coimbatore to cultivate’ American Cotton. It must, however, have been con- nected with the existence of our Farms; for, whilst they were in full operation, nothing would induce the Ryots to cultivate the American plant beyond a very limited extent; whereas now that they have been dis- continued the cultivation is rapidly extending. Ryots encouraged by their own success to extend the cultivation—The gradual extension of the culture of American Cotton by the Ryots is also to be ascribed to the success of their own experiments. When the Farms were given up in the season 1849-50, the grow- ing crops on them were made over to the Ryots. Those who tended them with care obtained unexpectedly large returns; and even those who took no trouble, obtained. much more than they expected, and much more than they would have done had the land been cultivated, however carefully, with Native Cotton. These successes seem to have satisfied all who were interested in the matter, that there was but little difference between the modes of cultivating American and Indian Cotton, whilst larger returns could be obtained from the former than from the latter. The experience of the current season 1851-52 has greatly strengthened these impres- sions. Two fields of Red soil side by side were both cultivated by Natives, one with Native and the other with American Cotton; and the Native Cotton only produced about 27 lbs. per acre, whilst the American Cotton produced 57 lbs. Again, two fields of about 22 acres, one Black and the other Red, were sown; the 265 266 267 182 coTrron IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V. Black soil with Native Cotton, and the Red soil with American Cotton, The Black field produced 500 lbs. of Native Cotton, whilst the Red field produced 1250 lbs. of American Cotton. Both were sown at the same time in November ; and both enjoyed the same climate and culture. During this same season, the two mon- soons were each below the average; yet the crops of American Cotton have been generally heavy, and those of the Indigenous Cotton generally light. This result has particularly pleased the Native growers. The fact is, that the Native Cotton was sown during the north- east monsoon, which proved a failure ; whilst the greater part of the American Cotton was sown during the south-west monsoon in July and August, and being well advanced before the scanty north-east rains set in, derived great benefit from them. Indeed, when so managed, the danger to the American Cotton lies in the excess, rather than in the deficiency of the north- east rains. Thus, during unfavourable seasons, the chances are in favour of American Cotton over Native ; and it may be presumed that the chances will also be greater in favourable seasons ; and that consequently the Ryots will continue the cultivation of the exotic plant. Large results in 1850-51 and 1851-52.—In 1850-51 I had more applications for American seed than in any previous year; probably in consequence of the success- ful crops obtained by the Ryots from the relinquished Farms. The season was not a favourable one, yet I was enabled to purchase fifty-one bales of Native-grown American Cotton. This success gave such an additional impetus to the change of feeling already in progress, that the applications for seed in 1851-52 were on a still more extended scale; and I have already despatched ninety bales of Native-grown American Cotton to England, and expect before the end of the season to obtain a great many more. Ryots adopt Dr, Wight's practice.—Hitherto the Ry- ots have adopted one system of culture. 1st, Selecting light sandy soils through which both the roots and moisture can easily penetrate. 2nd, Sowing in rows instead of broad-cast. 8rd, Ploughing and otherwise 1852.] DR. WIGHT’S FINAL COTTON REPORT. 183 cultivating the land between the rows. The Natives have already discovered and appreciated one great ad- vantage in this last measure, namely, the facility it affords for fallowing, whilst the crop is still on the ground, by repeated ploughings between the rows as a preparation for the next rotation. Fallowing is much in vogue amongst the Natives, apparently because it furnishes a cheap substitute for manuring. Refutation of the theory that the climate and soil of India are unfitted for American Cotton.—The view, that the climate and soil of India are so far inimical to the constitution and habit of the American plant as to render its naturalization impossible, is based on im- pee observation and on a comparison of dissimilar things. ist, The theory is founded on the assumption that Indian Cotton has succeeded when the American has failed.—The opponents of the cultivation of American Cotton in India assume that the Indian plant is less precarious than the American plant, and that the Indian has generally succeeded when the American has failed. This assumption, however, is not only incorrect, but the real case is exactly the reverse ; for whenever we had bad crops of American Cotton, the crops of Native Cotton were much worse. I am satisfied that, if during the last ten years equal areas had been armually appro- priated to each, the out-turn from the American would in most cases have exceeded that from the Indian both in weight and value: 2nd, The theory is based upon a comparison of crops grown in India, and of crops grown on the Mis- sissippi, instead of those grown in Georgia — Again, many have compared the crops of American Cotton grown in India with the crops grown in America, with- out sufficiently adverting to the difference in the cir- cumstances under which they have been respectively produced. Neither the soil nor the climate of India are inimical to the American plant. This is proved. For eleven years the American plant has been cultivated in India in all kinds of soil, such as rich and poor, wet and dry; and in all kinds of climate, such as temperate 269 270 271 272 273 - 184 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V. and hot, humid and dry ; yet, whilst the weight of the crops has greatly varied, the quality both of the Cot- ton and the seed has remained comparatively unaltered. The error has arisen from a comparison of crops raised in India, with the crops raised in the most fertile dis- tricts of America, which lie along the banks of the Mississippi. Differences between India and the Mississippi do not prove that the soil of India is inimical to Ameri- can Cotton.—The fertility of a soil depends on causes which are liable to vary. It often differs widely in adjoining fields, it is in a perpetual state of change, and it is more or less modified by every crop grown. In the deep alluvial deposits along the banks of the Mississippi, the material on which the Cotton plant feeds, is found in such abundance, that several suc- cessive crops are taken off, without any alternation, and without any other manure than what is supplied from the ashes of the old plant which is burnt upon the ground. In the soils of India this material which supports the Cotton plant was perhaps never so abund- antly supplied as on the Mississippi; and is now so greatly exhausted from long use, that the land produces about one fourth less, and rarely yields two successive crops from the same field. This deficiency is not to be attributed to anything inimical in the soil of India, but simply to its impoverishment. This is proved by the fact that heavy crops have been obtained in India from land newly broken up. Generally, however, a crop amounting to between 400 and 500 lbs. of seed Cotton per acre, equal to about 144 lbs. of clean Cot- ton, may be regarded as a heavy crop; and this will ive a very handsome profit to the grower, being nearly double that which is usually obtained from the Native plant, even when grown in the best and most fertile Black soils: Soil of Southern India better compared with that of Georgia.—If we really wish to compare the crops of India with those of America, we ought to take the Georgian districts, where the Upland Georgian Cotton is grown. There from 400 to 500 lbs, of Cotton per 1852.] DR. WIGHT’S FINAL COTTON REPORT. 185 acre is considered a very good crop, and thus the Georgian districts are on a:par with the medium soils of ‘India; yet no one alleges that the soils of Georgia are unsuitable to the growth of American Cotton. Climate of Southern India not so congenial as that 274 of Georgia: evil obviated by sowing in August or September.—The climate of Southern India however is not so congenial as that of Georgia. The seasons in the former country are drier, and the crops suffer more from drought. This however does not arise so much from any insufficiency in the quantity of rain, but from the rain falling within too shorta period. Occasionally there is scarcely a shower for months, until the mon- soon regularly sets in; and then, instead of the total fall of rain being distributed over two or three months, nearly the whole of it will fall within two or three weeks, or even within two or three days. In the light Sandy soils, which are the best adapted for the Ameri- can plant, the effect of this new distribution of the rain is unfavourable. This evil however can be ob- viated. There is generally sufficient rain in August and September for sowing the seed; and when the plant is once fairly above ground it can stand a pro- tracted drought. Consequently there would rarely be any loss of crop during the brief interval between August and September, and the setting in of the north-east rains; and after the rains, such an event . would be a still rarer occurrence, as the plant grows rapidly during the rains and strikes deep root, thus securing for itself a steady supply of moisture long after the surface has become dry. Leading principles of Cotton culture in the Car- 275 natic: sowing before the North-east Monsoon, and selection of soil_—This principle of sowing during the chance rains, which fall in August and September in anticipation of the north-east monsoon, ought to be kept steadily in view. By so doing, I believe that American Cotton might be successfully grown in any part of the Carnatic. I also believe, that if due care be bestowed on the selection of soil, the losses from failure will be rarer in the future cultivation of Ameri- 276 277 186 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VY. can Cotton, than they are at present in the cultivation of the Indigenous plant. In Coimbatore, the Ameri- can Cotton sown during the autumnal showers of August and September has yielded very fair returns ; whilst the Native Cotton, which was not sown until the commencement of the north-east monsoon in October or November, has generally failed. The north- east rains only lasted a week; and consequently were sufficient to bring the more advanced American plants into bearing, but were insufficient for the Indian plants which were only just sown. In a word, I have no hesitation in stating it as my conviction, that the American Cetton may and will become as thoroughly naturalized in Southern India as the Native species ; and that on the average it will be quite as productive on the Black soils, and infinitely more on the light Sandy loams. Objection of Native spinners to the soft silky fibre of the New Orleans Cotton—One objection stands in the way of our expectation, that the cultivation of New Orleans Cotton will supersede the cultivation of Indian Cotton. The fibre of the New Orleans is soft and silky; that of the Indian is hard and rigid. The Native spinners have been so long accustomed to work the latter, that they find it difficult to work the soft and silky fibre of the New Orleans Cotton. ‘But this objection is giving way in some districts; practice overcoming the difficulty. When I first came to Coim- - batore, the Bourbon Cotton, which is still softer than the New Orleans Cotton, was not used by the Native spinners; but now they use it to a very great extent. In like manner the New Orleans will come into Native use when it is more largely produced, and when its price has found a just level and acquired a market standard. Difficulty of separating the seed, and the prejudice against the seed as food for cattle.—The only remain- ing impediments to be removed are:—Ist, The diffi- culty of separating the seed ; and 2ndly, The prejudice against the seed as food for cattle. It is far more difficult to separate the wool from the New Orleans, 1852.] DR. WIGHT’S FINAL COTTON REPORT. 187 than it is to separate the wool from the Bourbon seed. At present the growers of New Orleans Cotton are compelled to sell their whole crop of Cotton with the seed in it, instead of selling the clean Cotton wool only. This trebles the cost of carriage, and prevents the grower from retaining any portion for domestic consumption. The other impediment is the prejudice which exists against the use of the New Orleans seed for feeding cattle. It is considered to be insalubrious. This prejudice however has already been overcome to a very great extent. Nothing wanted to secure a rapid extension of the American Cotton culture, but a steady market and moderate competition— All that is wanted to secure a rapid extension of the cultivation of the American plant, is a steady market; and such a moderate com- petition amongst the merchants as will convince the growers of the reality of the demand: "Were such competition established, I fully believe that twenty thousand acres would be cropped with American Cot- ton within three years; and that the cultivation would rapidly extend from Coimbatore to the neighbouring districts. The cultivation is just as simple, and just as well understood, as that of the Native plant, and the cost is not greater; whilst the crops are in the main just as certain, and the produce far greater and more valuable. Such being the advantages which the American Cotton possesses in the inland districts over the Native staple, it would soon obtain the same gener- al favour among the agricultural community of Coim- batore, as it has already acquired in Dharwar, if ex- porters would only stimulate its production by giving it the preference over the Oopum or Native Cotton. Cotton cultivation on the Coromandel coast: New Orleans, Sea Island, Egyptian, and Brazilian,—Having thus described the present condition and future pro- spects of the experiment for denaturalizing the Ameri- can Cotton in the inland districts of Southern India, it now only remains for me to indicate what has been doing on the Coromandel coast. Here I apprehend will be found a favourable field for the cultivation of 278 279 280 281 188 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V. several of the most useful varieties of foreign Cotton ; particularly the Mexican or New Orleans, the Sea Island, the Egyptian, and the Brazilian or Pernambuco. The three last are long-stapled Cottons, and fetch high prices in the English market. My remarks however will be less explicit, as I have seen but little of the coast experiment, which is still in its infancy, and which has laboured under considerable disadvantage, from being conducted by gentlemen but little con- versant with agricultural affairs. Partial success of Mr. David Lees on the sandy coast lands of Tinnevelly: error as regards deep sowing.—The cultivation of American Cotton by Mr. David Lees, on the sandy coast lands of Tinnevelly, has proved only partially successful; for whilst Mr. Lees was a warm and sanguine advocate of the experi- ment, he was unfortunately an unskilful agriculturist. He desired to modify the cultivation by deep sowing; and feeling dissatisfied at the results of sowing the seed three Inches under the surface, he gave directions for sowing it still deeper. This modification was founded on an erroneous deduction, and its practice has already been found to do harm. Cotton ought not to be sown deeper than one or two inches. What is required is a light loose soil, into which its slender tap root can easily penetrate ; and when that is secured, the nearer the seed lies to the surface the better. Nature sows entirely on the surface, and ordains that the root shall descend and the stem ascend. Loose soil and light covering promote both these ends, and are more likely to increase than to diminish the pro- duce ; and indeed, unless the former of these conditions be secured, and maintained by occasional hoeing and ploughing between the rows, the plant does not thrive. The roots, in short, of a healthy growing plant require the free access of the air, almost as much as the leaves require light; and unless they have it, the plant be- comes more or less sickly. Sandy soils along the Coromandel Coast adapted to the cultivation of American Cotton —But whilst the 1852. DR. WIGHT’S FINAL COTTON REPORT. 189 success of Mr. Lees’ experiment fell far short of his anticipations, it has established beyond all doubt that the sandy soils along the Coromandel coast, aided by the humid atmosphere, are very suitable to the cultiv- ation of American Cotton; a fact which is daily be- coming more firmly established by the success attend- ing the well-conducted efforts of Messrs. Longshaws at Trichindore in Tinnevelly, and of Mr, Kenrick at Ma- dras. In addition to a light assessment, these lands possess a further advantage, which is important in a tropical climate, of being easily cultivated in all seasons, whether wet or dry. Consequently the cost of cultiv- ation is materially lessened. Moreover, there is mois- ture for the most part near the surface, and generally within reach of the roots of the plant, which have a tendency to penetrate to a great depth in search of it. I expect, therefore, that the crops will prove much more uniform, inasmuch as they will be less liable to injury from occasional protracted droughts. Giving due weight to these favourable circumstances, I anticipate that crops averaging from 200 to 250 or even 300 lbs. per acre, will generally be realised ; at which rates, if the Ryots can only be induced to engage heartily in the cultivation of these foreign Cottons, the shores of the Carnatic will alone, in the course of a few years, be able to produce many thousands of bales; and, having the advantage of cheap transit to the port of export, at prices which will at all times enable the Indian to compete with the American grower. Sir Henry Pottinger’s Government condemns Dr. Wight’s Report—tThe foregoing Report of Dr. Wight did not meet with the approval of the Ma- 5: tenry dras Government. In fact Sir Henry Pottinger’s Pottinger wrote a Minute violently con- Muy 't3)"" demning it. Considering that it was the 7 eons result of experiments extending over eleven See years, he pronounced it to be a meagre and unsatis- factory document, in which the statements and opinions were alike unsupported by facts. 282 283 284 285 190 corrToN IN THE MADEAS PRESIDENCY, [CHAP. V. Recommends, that as the Farms had proved inju- rious, and that as the Agency was no longer neces- sary,—all Government intervention should be with- drawn.—Sir Henry Pottinger drew special attention to two admissions made by Dr. Wight :—l1st, That so long as the Government Farms were in full operation, no amount of inducement that he could hold out seemed to have any effect in stimulating the Ryots to engage in the cultivation of American Cotton, beyond a very limited extent; 2nd, That nothing more was wanted to secure the rapid extension of the American plant but a steady market, and moderate competition among merchants, to convince Indian grow- ers that the Cotton was really in demand. The Madras Government inferred from the first ad- Minutes of ‘Mission, that the further existence of Go- Consulta vernment Agency was injurious; and from ae the second admission that it was unne- Parl: Return cessary. Accordingly the Governor in (3859),P-243- Council recommended that Government should abstain from all further intervention in the matter. Dr. Wight’s protest against the conclusions of Dr. Wights the Madras Government.— Dr. Wight eee protested against the inferences which Para. 218. 10h Aug, the Madras Government had drawn from Retum his. two admissions on the following (1859), p.243. rounds. ; Ist, The Government Farms had not proved injuri- ous, but the groundless suspicions of the Ryots,—The true reason why the Ryots had refused to cultivate American Cotton, was not because they were alarmed at the expenditure, but because they believed that it was incurred with the view of raising the rent of the land, so soon as it was ascertained that they could successfully cultivate the New Cotton. This belief was not stated in so many words as here set down; but it was expressed in terms sufficiently clear not to be misunderstood. The Ryots certainly never had any ground for distrusting the honour and uprightness of our intentions; but still the correctness of the inter- 1852.] FINAL DECISION OF MADRAS GOVERNMENT. 191 pretation of their language, was confirmed by the fact of their systematically holding back, until they saw what they considered to be good reason for believing their suspicions to be groundless and unjust. 2nd, The Government Agency had not proved un- necessary, as it removed the suspicions of the Ryots,— Though Dr. Wight had stated that nothing further was wanted but remunerative prices on the spot, it was not to be inferred that the continuance of Govern- ment Agency, after the withdrawal from the Cotton Farms, had proved wholly unnecessary. It was the temporary continuance of the Agency, which had re- moved the suspicions of the Ryots, and led to the in- crease of the cultivation. Had not Dr. Wight been on the spot, the cultivation of New Orleans Cotton in Coimbatore would have nearly ceased with the crop of 1849; whereas by his purchases of produce at liberal Pe and by his reiterated assurances of the good ‘aith of Government, the cultivation had so extended, that during the current season he had already distri- buted 400 maunds of seed. Moreover, Dr. Wight represented that, had he not continued his purchases of American Cotton from the Ryots, he would have acted prematurely, and would moreover have created doubts of our probity. Seven or eight years previously, Government had agreed to purchase from the Ryots all well-cleaned picked Cotton. Circumstances had com- pelled Dr. Wight to continue his purchases. The old contract, made some seven or eight years previously, by which Government had agreed to purchase from the Ryots all first sort of American Cotton at 20 rupees per candy, had never been cancelled. The gin- house at Coimbatore had been purchased by Mr. Campbell, the merchant; and Mr. Campbell had agreed to retain the same terms. But meantime Mr. Camp- bell had died, and prices had so fallen at home, that had he lived he would have been a loser. The only other merchant in the place, being bound by no con- tract, would only give from 16 to 17 rupees per candy. Under such circumstances, the Ryots represented to Dr. Wight that he was bound to purchase the Ame- 286 287 192 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. Y. rican Cotton at the prices fixed in the still uncan- celled contract ; and that unless he did so, they would grow no more American Cotton. Dr. Wight saw both the justice and the expediency of their claim ; but whilst fulfilling his duty as Government Agent, he took the opportunity of cancelling the long-standing agreement, and of assuring the Ryots, that if they con- tinued the cultivation of American Cotton, after the current year, they must run the chance of the market, exactly as they were in the habit of doing in the case of the Native article. : Retirement of Dr. Wight: Final Despatch of the Court of Directors, 1853.--Dr. Wight appears to have retired from the service, and to have left India in March, 1853. In the following July, a despatch from the Court of Directors was addressed to the Madras Government, ordering that all purchases of American Cotton should cease from that date, and that all direct interference in the culture of foreign Cotton should be gradually withdrawn. The following is a literal copy of the despatch of the Court of Directors :— “REVENUE DEPARTMENT, 20th July, 1853. “OUR GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AT FORT ST. GEORGE. “1, We entirely approve your having declined to entertain the proposal of Dr. Wight, that all the Cotton grown by the Ryots in Tinnevelly from American seed, should be purchased at a fixed rate by the Government. There are now, it appears, individuals con- nected with Manchester settled in the District; and if the price at which the Ryots can afford to sell the Cotton is greater than it suits the purpose of those parties to give, it is hopeless to attempt to force the cultivation by factitious encouragement on the part of Govern- ment. “2. The statement of Dr. Wight, that since the relinquishment of the Government Farms in Coimbatore, the Ryots have taken to the culture of American Cotton on their own account, to an extent considerably greater than during their existence, would seem to imply that the time had arrived when the interference of Govern- ment could properly be withdrawn. All that is now wanted, you observe, is a purchaser on the spot ready to give a fair remunerating price to the Ryot for his Cotton, and in your opinion, this object can 1852.] DESPATCH OF THE COURT OF DIRECTORS. 193 only be attained by affording full scope to private enterprise, and by abstaining from all intervention on the part of Government. “3. In our despatch of the 4th July, 1848, we directed that the purchases of American Cotton on the part of Government, should not, at that time, be discontinued; observing, however, ‘We are satisfied that no satisfactory.and permanent extension of the cultiv- ation of the American Cotton will be attained, until the persons most interested in its production shall take the matter into their own hands, by locating in the Districts competent Agents, empowered to urchase from the cultivators such Cotton as may be produced of a deatipaon suited to the wants of the manufacturers in this country.’ “<4, We are of opinion that a sufficient period has elapsed since the date of these instructions, for the course of proceeding indicated in them to be adopted ; and that, if the inducements to engage in the purchase of Indian-grown American Cotton for use in this country are still insufficient, a further perseverance in our efforts to force the cultivation, by means apart from the ordinary operations of com- merce, can lead to no beneficial result. We accordingly think that we may properly withdraw trom the market as purchasers of Ameri- can Cotton; and we hereby convey to you our authority for gradually relinquishing all direct interference in the culture of Cot- ton of that description, in the hope that it has now reached a point where it may be safely left to private enterprise. “Weare, &., R. ELLICE, J. OLIPHANT.” CHAPTER VI. PRESENT CONDITION OF THE COTTON CULTURE IN THE SE- VERAL DISTRICTS OF THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. 1853 To 1862. (288.) Stage of the Cotton Experiment, 1853-62.—(289.) Survey of the present Cotton cultivation in the Madras Presidency. (290.) First, NorrHeRN Crrcars : four Districts,—(291.) 1. Ganjam : produce inconsiderable but easily increased by money airencess 702) 2. Visagapatam: Cotton grown insufficient for home consumption an not remunerative.—(293.) 3. Godavari: Cotton supply larger but in- sufficient for the wants of the District.—(294.) 4. Kristna: large Cotton supply. 1565.) Second, EASTERN PLAIN oF THE CaRNaTIC: eight Districts.— (296.) 1, Nellore: a grazing District.—(297.) 2. Madras: Native Cot- ton not grown.—(298.) Experiments in Foreign Cotton: Mr. Shubrick’s successful cultivation of the Egyptian variety.—(299.) Experimental cul- ture of the Brazil or Pernambuco variety by Dr. Mudge.—(800.) 3. North Arcot: Red soil, and consequently no Indian Cotton.—(301.) 4. South Arcot : inconsiderable quantity of Indian Cotton.—(302.) 5. Trinchin- opoly : quantity of Cotton inconsiderable: mode of cultivation.—(303.) 6. Tanjore: Soil not favourable without irrigation, and with irrigation the cultivation of rice is preferred.—(304.) 7. Madura : detailed report from the Collector.—(305.) Soil.—(306.) Geology and topography.— (307.) Climate——(308.) Seed used and whence obtained.—(309.) Character of the Cotton plant.—(310.) Mode of cultivation, time of flowering, weight of Cotton wool per acre.—(311.) Manure.—(312. Diseases.—(313.) 8. Tinnevelly: Mr. Mayne’s detailed ea Soil—(315.) 1st, The Caresal, or Black soil—(316.) 2nd, The Veppel, or Black and Sandy soil.—(317.) 3rd, the Pottel, or stiff clayey soil.— 318.) 4th, The Shevel, or Red Soil.—(319.) Geology and topography.— 320.) Climate-—(321.) Seed used and whence obtained.—(322.) haracter of the Cotton plant.—(323.) Mode of cultivation, time of flowering, weight of Cotton wool per acre, etc.—(324.) Manure.—(326.) Diseases.—(326.) Mr. Silver's report.—(327.) Queries of Sir William Denison, with Mr. Silver’s replies.—(328.) Letter from Mr. Hardy, European Agent at Tuticorin.—(329.) Third, Cenrray TaBLE-LAND: five Districts.—(330.) 1. Bellary: detailed report from the Collector.— 331.) Soil.—(832.) Geology and topography.—(333.) Climate.—(384.) Seed used and whence obtained.—(335.) Nature and Character of the Cotton plant.—(836.) Method of cultivation, time of flowering, and weight of Cotton wool per acre, etc.—(337.) Manure.—(338.) Diseases. —(339.) 2. Kurnool: a Cotton-growing district—(340.) Cost of transit ; 1858-62.] STAGE OF THE COTTON EXPERIMENT. 195 the sole obstacle to increased brodaction ay) Improvements in the quality must be effected by the Merchants themselves.—(342.) 3. Cudda- pah: present state of Cotton as reported by Mr. Wedderburn, the Col- lector.—(343.) Detailed report by Mr. Murray, the previous Collector.— fee Soil.— (345.) Wee fae on Geology and topography.—(347.) Vlimate.—(348.) Seed used and whence obtained.—(349.) Character of the Cotton plant.—(350.) Mode of cultivation, time of flowering, weight of Cotton wool per acre, etc.—(351.) Manure,—(352.) Diseases.—(353.) 4, Salem; Messrs. Fischer and Oo., the only exporters.—(354.) 5, Coim~ batore: detailed report of Mr. Thomas, the Collector.—(3565.) Soil: Black, Red, and Alluvium.—(356.) Geology and topography.—(357.) Climate.—(358.) Seed used and whence obtained.—(359.) Character of the Cotton plant.—(360.) Mode of cultivation, time of flowering, weight of Cotton wool per acre, ete.—(361.) Manure.—(362.) Diseases. (863.) Fourth, WESTERN STRIP, OR MaLaBaR Coast: three Districts, =—(364.) 1. North Canara: not a Cotton-producing Diet oe) Report of the District Engineer on the experimental culture of Mr. Kleinknecht.—(366.) 2. South Canara: not a Cotton-producing District. —(367.) 3, Malabar : not a Cotton-producing District.—(368.) Native States: Mysore, Cochin, and Travancore. 369.) Conclusion: general results.—(370.) Four general conclusions. —(871.) 1st, American Cotton can be grown, but the profit is question- able.—(372.) 2nd, Indian Cotton may be improved, but only to a degree. —(378.) 3rd, American Cotton must always command a higher price than Indian.—(374.) 4th, The demand for Indian Cotton must always depend upon the supply of American.—(375.), Political and, Commercial prospects of Indian Cotton. Stage of the Cotton Experiment, 1853-62,—The ef- 288 forts on the part of the Madras Government to intro- duce American Cotton and American machinery into the Madras Presidency, virtually closed with the de- parture of Dr. Wight from India in 1853. Since that period, some experiments in the growth of American Cotton have been carried out by private individuals, and may be said to have confirmed the general results worked out by Dr. Wight;. namely, that under the conditions set forth in the preceding pages the foreign plant may be successfully cultivated, and a staple pro- duced far superior to that appertaining to the Indian plant. But the question of whether this better-stapled Cotton can be grown with profit to the cultivator, seems as far from solution as ever. Before however offering any comment upon these results, it is advisable to take a general survey of the present condition of the 02 289 290 291 196 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI. Cotton cultivation in the several districts of the Ma- dras Presidency. / : Survey of the present Cotton cultivation in the Madras Presidency.—In carrying out the review thus indicated, it will be advisable to proceed with each district separately, according to the geographical dis- tribution of the several Collectorates already set: forth at para. 9, viz.:—I1st, Northern Circars; 2nd, Eastern Plain; 8rd, Central Table Land; and 4th, Western Strip. The materials for this survey have been selected from a mass of official reports and other documents, which it is not thought expedient to print i extenso. Ist, Northern Circars: four Districts.—The North- ern Circars consist of a long narrow arm of territory stretching from the Pagoda of Juggernaut on the frontiers of the Bengal Presidency, southward along the Bay of Bengal to the river Kristna. It comprises four Districts: viz.—(1.) Ganjam, (2.) Vizagapatam, (8.) Godavari, (4.) Kristna. (1.) Ganjam: produce inconsiderable but easily in- creased by money advances.—In this district the Cotton cultivation of late years seems to vary from four thousand to six thousand acres. As the quantity of Cotton grown is so insigni- ficant, the Collector merely makes a few general ob- servations. He says that there is one material fact which has not been made sufficiently clear to the mer- cantile community at home; namely, that the Native agriculturalist will undertake nothing new on the mere assurance that it is in demand in a distant market. Mr. Forbes’s Cases where the security of profit would letter, 20th appear most perfect to the European mind, April, 1861. would have no effect upon the Native. But on the other hand, there is no tropical produce which the European with capital might not com- mand, by bringing his capital into immediate contact with the producer. If suitable money advances were made on the spot, Egyptian Cotton and other fine varieties could be grown in Ganjam within an easy distance of the coast. Appendix I. '1853-62.] NORTHERN CIRCARS: FOUR DISTRICTS. 197 (2) Vizagapatam: Cotton grown insufficient for home consumption and not remunerative—In this district the average produce of Indigenous Cotton is about the same as in Ganjam. During the three years peeins 1861-62, the average extent of yy Fane's Jands under Cotton cultivation was 5753 _ letter, 2nd acres, which produced an average of about aly, Wal 250 lbs. per acre. This quantity is not sufficient for local consumption. Much cleaned Cotton is imported from Rajahmundry (Kristna); and much English Cotton yarn and twist are imported almost every month from Calcutta and Madras. The Collector also remarks that the production might be increased by three mea- sures. Ist, By offering rent free all the waste and jungle lands in the Government Talook of Negapatam (nearly 6000 acres) on the condition that nothing but Cotton was grown. 2nd, By sanctioning two good bullock roads, connecting Jeypore and Raipere with the coast. 38rd, By putting a stop to the exorbitant tolls demanded from the traders by the Zemindars between the Cotton-growing districts of Nagpore and the coast. The Revenue Board did not consider that any real benefit would ensue from the false stimulus of granting lands rent free; but recommended the other measures to the consideration of Government. In a subsequent communication, the Collector remarked, that the chief cause why the Ryots of Viza- 4, pane’s gapatam did not grow Cotton more largely’ letter, 15th was because it did not pay. Eight months 7°?» 18 were required to produce a Cotton crop, whilst two crops of Gingely, and other dry grains, might be pro- duced from the same lands within the same time, and secure a larger profit to the grower. (8) Godavari: Cotton supply larger but insuffi- cient for the wants of the District.—This district (Rajahmundry and Masulipatam) produces yy pyrvis’s a larger quantity of Cotton than Vizagapa- _ letter, zat .tam or Ganjam, the extent of land so culti- ‘vv #8 vated reaching 12,000 acres. The quantity raised, how- ever, is still insufficient for the home consumption, and further supplies are imported from the Kristna district. 292 293 294. 198 coTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI. The means of communication between the uplands on which the Cotton is grown and the ports of shipment are all easy. ne (4) Kristna: large Cotton supply.—Guntoor, which now forms part of this district, is regarded as a Cotton- growing country. Upwards of 100,000 acres are under Cotton cultivation, and, as we have seen, a considerable quantity is exported to the Godavari district. Every exertion is beg made by the Department of Public Works to effect a junction between two canals,—that from Bezwarah, and that from Dowlashwarum to El- , lore,—which will render the line of inland water com- munication complete from the Cotton-producing locali- Mr.Thom. tes to the coast. The following particulars hill’s letter, are supplied by Mr. Thornhill, the Collector. Bee TS Cotton produced in this district is partly consumed within its limits, but b far the greater portion is transported by land to the northern districts of Godavari and. Vizagapatam, where it is used by the native weavers. Very little, however, is exported by sea, and none is shipped direct for Eu- rope. The Cotton is picked in the dry season, and is ‘seldom cleaned and packed before the setting in of the monsoon in June; and therefore it cannot be moved until the following December or January, as the roads are not passable until that time. The soil suited to the cultivation is very widely spread, and therefore it cannot be doubted that the extent of land under culti- vation would be largely increased, in the case of a larger demand, accompanied by a rise in price. At present the greater part of the Cotton grown is of the sort called “ Red Cotton,” which I am given to under- stand is not now in demand for the European market. I do not, however, think that any measure of Govern- ment would have any effect in increasing the produce. There is abundance of room for an extension of the cultivation, and the merchants have only to send. their Agents into the country, to enter into agreement with the cultivators, and to show them that the cultivation will be profitable, to induce them to bring more land under Cotton culture. In the same manner it rests 1853-62. ] CARNATIC: EIGHT DISTRICTS. 199 with the merchants to point out the kind of Cotton that is required, and to make arrangements for the more speedy and effectual cleaning and packing of the crop. and, Eastern plain of the Carnatic: eight Districts, —This territory, lying between the Eastern Ghauts and the Bay of Bengal, extends from the Northern Circars to Cape Comorin, and is generally known by the name of the Carnatic. It comprises eight districts: viz.— (1) Nellore, (2) Madras, (8) North Arcot, (4) South Arcot, (5) Trichinopoly, (6) Tanjore, (7) Madura, (8) Tinnevelly. ; (1) Nellore: a grazing District.—This district pro- duces about the same quantity of Cotton as Godavari, and but little more than suffices for its own wants. It is in fact a grazing district, and agricultural 4, gmitwa operations of all kinds are carried on very _ letter, 10th negligently ; the people being more addicted $y: 48, to rearing cattle than to cultivating the (1857),p.39, land. (2) Madras: Native Cotton not grown.—In this district, with the exception of some four acres, no Indigenous Cotton is grown by the Ryots, though some experiments have been made by private individuals in the cultivation of foreign varieties. As regards the Native Cotton, it has been grown only by yp. Reade’s one Ryot; and Mr. Charles Reade, whilst Pane Acting Collector, drew up a few questions, °* in order to ascertain from the solitary cultivator, what his views and feelings were, particularly in reference to the extension of the cultivation. From the Ryot's re- plies it would seem that he had emigrated from the north of India, where it was customary to cultivate Cotton. Accordingly he brought some seeds with him, and planted them in his village in the Madras district ; but he intended the produce, not for sale, but for home consumption; spinning the Cotton into thread, and employing weavers to make it into cloths for his own use. The attempt, however, proved unsuccessful, as the soil was not congenial to the plant; and on this account he was not willing to extend the cultivation. 295 296 297 298 299 200 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI. Experiments in Foreign Cotton: Mr, Shubrick’s successful cultivation of the Egyptian variety.—But whilst the soil of the Madras (Chingleput) distritt was not adapted to the growth of Indian Cotton, it has been found very favourable to the American varieties. Gar- den experiments in general are not very reliable, inas- much as the plant receives far more care and attention under such circumstances than it can possibly receive from the Ryot. Mr. Shubrick, the Collector, has been highly successful in raising Egyptian Cotton, which Proceedings received the approbation and thanks of the of Boardof Board of Revenue and Madras Chamber of 1sth April, Commerce. Unfortunately, Mr. Shubrick _ A660." returned to Europe whilst the experiment was still under trial, and his Cotton plantation seems to have been neglected, and consequently failed. Seed, however, was forwarded to the Collectors of Cuddapah, Bellary, Kurnool, Coimbatore, and Tinnevelly, for the purpose of carrying on the experiment in their re- spective districts. The trial proved a failure. It Mr. Hua. Seems probable, however, that the experi- ston’s letter, ment might have stood a better chance of isthOct. success had it been tried in the maritime districts, and on soil more nearly approach- ing to that of Madras. It has already been seen that Black soil is well adapted to the growth of Indian Cot- ton, but not to the growth of American; but even in Tinnevelly, the seeds obtained from Mr. Shubrick were planted in Black land. On the other hand, the Col- lector of the maritime district of Ganjam has expressed an opinion, that Egyptian Cotton might be grown to a great extent in his Collectorate within an easy distance of the coast. Experimental culture of the Brazil or Pernambuco variety by Dr. Mudge.—An equally interesting ex- periment has been tried in Madras, with reference to the Brazil or Pernambuco Cotton, by Dr. Mudge, Surgeon Major in the Madras Army. The following Letter from concise account of this experiment, and of Ber Mudee, some others with Eeyptianand Bourbon seed, 1862. has been kindly furnished by Dr. Mudge. 1853-62.) CARNATIC: ELGHT DISTRIOTS. 201 “T first tried the Brazil or Pernambuco Cotton in 1860. The Honourable D. Arbuthnot, Collector of Kurnool, gave me 12 seeds, from which 11 plants came up. ‘These were planted out about the 25th March, in common garden soil, with a small quantity of old ma- nure; and were at first watered: every day, or every other day, till they had attained about a foot in height. I then left Madras for the Neilgherries, and did not return till the end of May. I found that the gardeners had neglected the trees, and that four out of the eleven were dead. The remaining seven prospered, and with- out any care, and with only an occasional watering, produced abundantly. In January and February they yielded more than two pounds of picked Cotton. This Cotton was valued by London Brokers at from 83d. to 94d. per lb. A large quantity of seed was obtained, which was sown again in March and April—several hundred plants in the People’s Park and about two hundred in my own garden, whilst a good deal of seed was also distributed to various parties. At this time (January, 1862) the plants in my garden are in full bearing, and the crop promises well. The trees planted in the People’s Park have failed, evidently owing to the very saline character of the soil. I hear that some planted in Coorg are thriving. It appears likely that this species will grow well in light Reddish soil, if allowed sufficient space, and will be found productive. Mr. Fischer of Salem informed me that it did not an- swer there, probably owing to the greater dryness of the air and the different character of the soil. “ Eeyptian and Bourbon seed were sown in the Peo- ple’s Park between the Ist and 4th April, 1861, and were watered till the plants attained the height of one foot; after that they only got a little water occasion- ally. The earth round the roots was loosened once or twice. Both these species have borne very well. Cot« ton was first picked in August, and the plants have gone on bearing up to the present time. A large quantity of Cotton has been thus obtained from them. “In preparing the soil a small country plough was used; the greater part of the weeds and coarse grass 300 301 302 202° coTToN IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI. were picked out and removed, whilst the rest was turned into the furrows and left. The Cotton was sown in small circular holes. ; “The exact quantity of Cotton obtained from these plants is not yet known, but it has been very consider- able; and, so far as reliance can be placed on one experiment, seems to show that Bourbon and Egyptian staples will answer well at the Presidency.” * (3) North Arcot: Red soil, and consequently no < ‘ Indian Cotton.—This district produces but r. Robin- * : " son’sletter, | @ Very inconsiderable amount of Indigenous wth Dee, Cotton ; the average cultivation during the i last five years being only fifty-seven acres. The absence of the Black clay, which Native producers consider to be the soil best adapted to the growth of Native Cotton, is the probable cause of the smallness of the cultivation. The Collector describes the soil of the district as being a Red gravel; and it may be added that this appears to be the very soil which experience proves to be the best adapted to the American varieties. (4) South Arcot: inconsiderable quantity of Indian Cotton.—The Indigenous Cotton grown in this district . is larger than in North Arcot, but is still inconsider- able. The cultivation is confined to two or three thon- sand acres. The Collector states that he has no observ- ations to offer on the subject. (5) Trichinopoly: quantity of Cotton inconsider- able: mode of cultivation.—In this district about Mr. McDon- 6000 acres of Black soil are sown every nell’s letters, year with Indigenous Cotton. Most of the IseLandisth Cotton grown is consumed within the dis- Feb, 1862. trict, but a small quantity is exported in the shape of twist. The rates proposed by Mr. Newill in carrying out the new Revenue Settlement, are ex- pected to promote the extension of the cultivation, as they are considerably lower than the present rate of Assessment. “Cotton, however,” we are told, “re- quires more care, labour, and consequently more ex- pense, than almost any other description of crop; and * The Bourbon seed was sent to me by the Rev. W. Taylor of Madras, and was raised in his garden, 1853-62.] CARNATIC: EIGHT DISTRICTS, 203 unless there is the inducement of soon realizing a re- munerative price, the Ryot will choose any other kind of cultivation in preference.” Mr. McDonnell also drew attention to the report on the Cotton cultivation in Trichinopoly, drawn up by Mr. Travers, the Col- lector, in 1812. The following extract, relative to the mode of cultivation, is worthy of record. “The ground is first ploughed up. Afterwards a herd of cattle, or a flock of sheep, is kept on the land for two.or three days to manure it. The ground is then again ploughed three times more; and the seed, which has been dipped in @ preparation made of buffaloes’ dung, salt water, and ashes, is then sown, and the ground again lightly turned up to cover the seed. When the plant has reached the height of one span, the earth is carefully and very lightly ploughed up between the plants, and the grass that has grown is removed. After this, as occasion may require, the weeds and grass are continued to be rooted up until the plants have reached maturity, when the Cotton is plucked.” (6) Tanjore: Soil not favourable without irriga- tion, and with irrigation the cultivation of rice is preferred.—The quantity of Cotton grown yy. cages in this district falls far short of even the letter, sth “requirements of local consumption, and ac- Dies Uses cordingly large quantities are brought from the south- ern districts of Madura and Tinnevelly 4, csdots to meet the deficiency. Repeated attempts letter, sist have been made to improve the quality of 1186. the Cotton grown, and to extend its cultiyation, but they have hitherto proved unsuccessful ; Paras. 111, and the land under Cotton crop is at the 6 present time less than six hundred acres, being less than one-fourth of what it was ten years ago. Mr. Cadell, the Collector, ascribes these results to the un- remunerative nature of the crop, the uncertainty of the produce, and the labour and expense of preparation arising from the absence of any cheap and efficient machinery. He is also inclined to think that the soil of the district is not very favourable to the plants, unless it can be irrigated ; and when the means of artificial 303 304 306 204 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI. irrigation can be commanded, the landholders prefer the cultivation of rice to the exclusion of almost every other article. (7) Madura: detailed report from the Collector.— Madura is a Cotton-growing district, though not one of the four great Cotton districts of the Presidency. The average number of acres under this cultivation dur- ing the last three years is about 76,000 acres. The fol- lowing information respecting the culture was supplied three or four years back by Mr. Hathaway, the Col- Mr. Hatha. lector of Madura, in answer to an applica- ways letter, tion for certain data connected with the sah Jang, growth of the Indian plant, which had been , forwarded to the late Court of Directors by Dr. Mallet, Professor of Chemistry in the University of Alabama, U.S. Soil.—‘ The soil in which the Cotton is raised is Black, and of a slimy nature, being very retentive of the moisture; and if the periodical rains commence in August and continue till January, this moisture will penetrate the earth to a depth of two feet and a half. By the commencement of January, the moist- ure is reduced to a depth of four inches, and disap- pears altogether by the Ist of March. In some parts the Ryots raise along with Cotton the following dry crops—coriander, horse-gram, varégoo, cumboo, thenie, dholl, and cummin. These thrive if the periodical rains fall; but many of the Ryots consider such a practice ‘of mixed sowing prejudicial ; as Cotton itself cannot be grown two,consecutive years in the same field. Geology and Topography.— “The district is not naturally well drained, depending as it does upon the freshes from the river and periodical rains, which are very uncertain in their supply. The soil is generally of an inferior description, being based in many places upon rocks of black and white marble and granite, and masses of gravel, which rise to within from one and a half to five yards of the surface. It is also impregnated with saltpetre. The height above the level of the sea of that portion of the district in which Cotton is raised, ranges from six to seven hundred feet. 1853-62. ] CARNATIC: EIGHT DISTRICTS. 205. Climate.—“ The regular kilum rains commence in August and terminate in November; while the koday rain falls in March and April. The year 1858, how- ever, proved an exception, as during the month of May: there was an average fall of more than nine inches in fifteen days. The annexed statement shows the amount of rain that fell during the last official year. .MEA. IN. T Madacolum ..... .. 711 4 Tiroomangalum ia -. 4 °7 7 Meylore ode ey .. 6 1 8 Tandicomboo .. ss .. 6 01 Izempully aM ads .. 54 7 2 Tenkurray ies Sie .. 18 7 5 Nellacottah .. se -. 67 3 4 Seed used and whence obtained.—“ After the fibre has been removed, the seed is preserved till within a few days of the sowing season. It is then soaked for two or three minutes in water in which cow-dung has been steeped, and then pressed by hands on a floor ex- osed to the sun, with a view to remove any particles of the fibre, and thus to ensure the separate deposition on the ground of each seed, which takes place three days afterwards. In some instances, under the impression that such a process will render the Cotton white and smooth, the Ryots mix with the said water, chunam, butter-milk, or salt; but I have no information that any such result is obtained. Character of the Cotton Plant.—“ The Cotton of this district is herbaceous in character, growing to an aver- age height of 34 feet. The branches extend about 13 feet from the stems, which grow at an average distance from each other of 13 feet. The main .root shoots downwards to a depth of 1), feet; whilst the lateral roots spread out about 3% of a foot. 307 308 3809 Mode of cultivation, time of flowering, weight of 310 Cotton wool per acre.— The fields intended for this cultivation are usually ploughed seven times, at the least four times, between May and September. In the ’ 3ll 312 313 206 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI. latter month, ten days previous to the sowing of the seed, the soil is manured, either through penning cattle on it, ot by the imposition of manure, and then once more ploughed. The seed is scattered from the 20th October to the 10th December, the early period being the most advantageous, so as to let the seeds fall at an average distance from each other of 1} feet. Trans- plantation is not adopted. The plants require at the stages of theiy budding and flowering, harrowing and weeding ; the cost of this is estimated at Rupees 34, or 7s. per acre. The buds generally form about the 15th January, and the picking of the crop takes place in March and April. For this operation the labourer re- ceives remuneration in kind, at rates which vary accord- ing to mutual agreement from one-fourth to one-tenth of the out-turn. The weight of Cotton wool produced per acre in this year 1857-58 (which from the drought has been an unfavourable one) is estimated at 234 lbs. Each hand employed is supposed to be able to give 43 lbs. a day; machines of an ordinary description being used for the purpose. Manure.—“ Although Cotton seed may return to the ground, manure is still used, and the stalks are removed to serve as fuel. Diseases,—“ The plants are attacked by many dis- eases; the principal of which are called Sambal or Sooroothy knoo, and are supposed to be caused by the prevalence of north winds and lightnings. The former disease gives the Cotton a pale tinge, while the latter causes the leaves of the plant to curl. They are also attacked by caterpillars and worms, whose correct names I am unable to obtain.” (8) Tinnevelly: Mr. Mayne’s detailed report— Tinnevelly is one of the four principal Cotton growing and exporting districts in the Madras Pre- sidency. The average cultivation of late years is about 190,000 acres. The principal port is Tuticorin. This district will be remembered as the Mr. Dawson Scene of Mr. Finnie’s experiments and la- Bayne ae bours. The following interesting report, 18.’ with reference to Professor Mallet’s ap- Para, 17. 1853-62. ] CARNATIC: EIGHT DISTRICTS. 207 plication for information, was supplied by Mr. Dawson Mayne. oil.— Cotton is cultivated in all descriptions of soils found in this district, but more extensively in those known as the Carésal or Black Cotton soil; secondly, in the Veppel (a mixture of Black and Sandy soil); thirdly, in the Pottel (a stiff clayey soil) ; and fourthly, in the Shevel or Red soil. Ist, The Caresal, or Black soil,—-“ The Black Cotton soil is of a loose friable nature, varying in depth from two to five or six feet. Soon after a heavy fall of rain, the upper surface of the soil, to a depth of about nine inches, becomes dry ; but the lower portion, to a depth of four or five feet, will retain moisture for four or five weeks. The other crops grown on this soil are cumboo, cholum (different sorts of maize); buller, Bengal gram, varigoo, red gram (species of vetch or pulse), raggy, thény, cootheerivaly, chendrookoo oil, and eastor oil seeds, etc. The soil is considered ex- tremely fertile. 2nd, The Veppel, or Black and Sandy soil,“ The Veppel, or Black and Sandy soil, partakes of the same nature as Black Cotton soil, varying in depth from two to four and a half feet. After a heavy fall of rain, the upper surface of this soil, to a depth of about six inches, soon becomes dry ; but the lower stratum, to a depth of three or four feet, will retain moisture for three or four weeks. The other crops grown on this soil are cumboo, raggy, cholum, buller, red gram, thény, and castor oil seeds, etc. This soil also is considered to be fertile, but in a less degree than that first named. 8rd, The Pottel, or stiff clayey Soil—‘The Pottel soil is stiff and untractable. It varies in depth from one to three and a half feet. After a heavy fall of rain, the upper surface of this soil, to a depth of four inches, will soon become dry; but the lower stratum, to a depth of three feet, will retain moisture for about two, or two and a half weeks. The other crops grown on this soil are cumboo, horse-gram, simay, varagoo, thény, and castor oil seeds, etc. This soil is not considered fertile. 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 208 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI. 4th, The Shevel, or Red Soil—‘ The Shevel soil is of a loose friable nature, varying in depth from one to three feet. After a-heavy fall of rain, the upper sur- face of soil, to a depth of one foot, soon becomes dry ; but the lower portion, to a depth of one and a half or two feet, will retain moisture for one and a half or two weeks. The other crops grown on this soil are red gram, varagoo, castor oil seeds, thény, etc. This soil is not considered fertile. Geology and topography.—“ The Cotton fields to- wards the west in this district are slightly undulating, ~ with general slope to the eastward ; while to the east, the country lies almost flat, the plains sloping very gradually towards the sea. From observation taken with an Aneroid Barometer, it appears that the level of the former varies from. 250 to 300 feet, and of the latter from 80 to 120 feet, above the sea. Below the above-mentioned soil, gravel of different descriptions, and kunkur, or decomposed gneiss, are met with; and in some spots occasional strata of erystaline limestone crop up through the gneiss. The granite formation is chiefly found in the northern portion of the district, and is met with at various depths below the kunkur and gneiss. That which is termed “decomposed. gneiss” may perhaps be a species of disintegrated rocks of a comparatively late formation. The northern part of this district is intersected by numerous small streams, and the Cotton fields are consequently well drained. Climate.—* During the dry months, or from January to September, the heat is excessive. During the south- west monsoon, there are occasional showers in the north of the district, especially in the more western portion of the Cotton fields. The north-east monsoon continues from the middle of October to January ; and during its prevalence, rain falls generally over the whole district. Irrigation is not employed for the growth of Cotton in this district. A return, showing the fall of rain from January to December, 1857, is given on the following page. Rain Gauges are kept at all the chief stations. - 1853-63.] 209 EIGHT DISTRICTS. CARNATIC 618.F 68 O8L-P 18 199.9 08 BO.Z 8T 029.2 61 Ist. ane era. bee ite ie sie een i ae ost. oe 001.8 8 007-8 aL 099.4 OF.6 z 008.1 , 088.6 I 008-6 8 008.9 sg 007-4 088.7 9 0069 g 089.4 6 $189.3 oe 9@I. T i 889. as $18.9 ae $9.3 ar BZ6.1 ate 889.4 af 094.8 03. ees GELS ses g9g. eae $896.8 a3 FIs I $99.6 os 092.1 — 88. : SIs. sn #928. 10S-§ § 99.3 zB 886.6 ane 887.9 ate 094.9 ate ¥609. 887.3 5 GBI. I SIs. I 000.8 I 000.8 $998.8 $90.8 aid OSL. 9 918. g $99.3 5 S18.) 9 000-9 100- g 000.4 ae $90.9 ee 0¢3.1 oe 839.9 : 168.1 is 599.9 eee 889. ne 886.8 ae naa 8 886. a 6IL8 T 918-5 g 929. z SBT. B $99.1 I 008. ne ‘SqWUAL | ‘seqouy | “sqUey, | ‘seyouy | ‘syyuay, | ‘soyouy ‘uo “SOUT | *syQUEy, | ‘SeqOUyT | ‘syyuey, | ‘soyouy “e3R10AV BONA “UOTJOIY UAISEAA | “UOIQoeg uLEIseT |‘uOTOIg UIETNOY ‘mOaeg UTE IION “'TVLOL, + Jaqure0eq, ** 1aqo0400, Joquieydes qsn3any Tady ore yl “AVONIGIT « venuep "LEST ‘aquassg ast g 07 humnung gst wotf rigs Aqjaaauuny, ay2 fo 2sodoar wumay 821 322 323 324 325 210 coTrToN IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI. Seed used and whence obtained.—“ Cotton seeds are obtained from those places in the district, where the previous crops had yielded a full produce of good quality. The seeds are in the first instances exposed to the sun to dry. When sufficiently dried, it is the practice to put them into water mixed with buffaloes’ dung, and thon they are again dried, and the seeds are now considered ready to be sown in the proper season. Character of the Cotton plant.— The Cotton plants in Tinnevelly are herbaceous; tree Cotton is not grown here. The average height of the plant is 3 feet, and the spread of the branches is 11 feet. The average distance from plant to plant is about one foot. The average spread of roots is one foot in depth and six inches laterally. Mode of Cultivation, time of flowering, weight of Cotton wool per acre, &c.—“ Cotton fields are plough- ed five times between the months of April and Septem- ber. After a good shower of rain, the seeds are sown generally between the months of September and Oc- tober. The distance at which the plants are placed apart is about one foot. The weeds are removed three times during the growth of the Cotton plant. The total amount of labour bestowed upon weeding may be valued at about Rupees 13 (8s.) per acre. The plants flower in the month of December or January. Picking commences in February and ends with April. If after this any rain falls, a further picking takes place in June and July. The weight of Cotton fibre is to the product per acre about 86 lbs.; weight per hand em- ployed is 6 lbs. Manure.— There is not any Cotton seed returned to the soil in the form of manure, nor are the stalks al- lowed to decay on the field. The land under Cotton cultivation is manured with cattle dung. Diseases.—“ When the Cotton plants come to bearing, they are subject to two kinds of diseases ; the first is called in Tamil “ Sambulnoye,” and the second “ Can- joorumnoye.” When the first-mentioned disease prevails, the yield becomes very indifferent; and if the last- named disease exists, the pods drop off entirely. Un- 1853-62. | CARNATIC: EIGHT DISTRICTS. 211 seasonable rains in summer, and lightnings, are said to be injurious to the Cotton plants, by causing the boles to drop off. Before flowers and pods appear, the plants are subject to the ravages of insects.” Mr. Silver's Report,—Ina letter dated 20th February, 1862, Mr. Silver, the Collector of Tinne- yy. givers velly, reported as follows. “The average letter, 20th quantity of uncleaned Cotton, grown in Bet tees the district of Tinnevelly during the last three years, was 150,000 candies, of 500 Ibs. each. At the close of the past year 1860-61, there were about 44,000 candies of cleaned Cotton in this district, which is selling at 102 Rs. (£10 4s.) per candy. There are no obstacles to the spread of Cotton cultivation, but a stimulus seems to be required ; and the cultivation would doubt- less be extended by the following means. 1st, By the Mercantile Firms establishing Agencies for dealing direct with the cultivators in the interior, instead of conducting this part of their business, as they do at present, through Brokers at the port of embarkation. 2nd, By constructing better roads, which in my opinion would be the case, if the executive were again placed under the Revenue officers, the District Engineer in- specting and reporting on the nature of the work per- formed.” Queries of Sir William Denison, with Mr. Silver’s replies—Mr. Silver also forwarded to the Madras Board of Revenue, a paper of answers which he had recently drawn up, in reply to certain queries furnished to him by His Excellency Sir William Denison, Go- vernor of Madras, as regards the Cotton trade at the Port of Tuticorm. These queries, together with the replies, are appended in parallel columns. QUERIES. REPLIES. Ist. Distance from Tinnevelly Thirty-four miles. to Tuticorin > 2nd. Character of the country Bare and open, passing over between the two places ? black soils, rocky ground, and deep sand; there is a made road aa only 8 miles out of Tinnevelly, P 326 327 212 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI. 8rd. Amount of existing traffic between the two places? 4th. Cost of transport per ton and per bale of Cotton from one place to another? 5th. Quantity of Cotton pass- ing from Tinnevelly to Tuti- corin ? 6th. Quality of Cotton, whether of Native growth or improved varieties ? 7th. Weight of an average bale of Cotton ? 8th. Amount produced per acre in your district. State amount in two forms, firstly, quantity of Cotton seed; second- ly, quantity of Cotton clean ? and the river Tambrapoorney, unbridged, intervenes. , Tinnevelly is not a Cotton producing Taluk. Cotton is grown in the northern Taluks and north-eastern Taluks. Gene- ral commodities pass between the two places. Cost of: transport per ton and for a bundle of Cotton depends entirely on the season of the year. If in rainy weather when the Ryots plough their fields Seaport becomes expensive, but, on the average the transport of Cotton to Tuticorin from the Cotton producing Taluks costs 10 rupees per ton of 20 cwt. or about 9 As. a bundle of 120 lbs. Cotton is not sent from Tin- nevelly to Tuticorin. But the average quantity taken into Tuti- corin yearly from the Ottapi- darum, Sattur, Shenkarninarcoil, and Strivilliputtur Taluks, along the trunk Cotton road connecting the Cotton growing localities with Tuticorin, is 33,000 Candies of cleaned Cotton. Entirely of Native growth; no other description is exported from Tuticorin. The quality is known in Europe as Tinnevelly Cotton; it is clean in colour but short in ne and generally fetches the highest price of Indian Indigen- ous Cotton. The average weight of a bundle that comes from the district to Tuticorin is 120 lbs. Cotton coming from the interior is pack- ed in bundles, never in bales. Istly. The highest quantity of seed produced per acre is 2 Candy, Sacal to 15 Madras Maunds, and the lowest 54 Maunds. Qndly. The highest quantity of cleaned Cotton per acre is + Candy, or 5 Madras Maunds, an the lowest 12 Maund. 1853-62. | 9th. Whether the soil of your district is of the black adhesive kind known as Cotton soil ? “10th. ‘Send a small quantity (4 or 5 lbs.) to Madcas for analy- sis as soon as possible ? 11th. Price of Cotton on board ship? . 12th. Price given to cultiv- ator? 13th. Average number of acres cultivated with Cotton by one individual in your district ? 14th. Maximum number cul- tivated with Cotton by one in- dividual. ire - 15th. Quantity of Cotton ex- ported from Tuticorin ? 16th. Is any extension of cul- tivation of Cotton likely to take place in -your district were a stimulus given to the growth of Cotton by a considerable rise in its price, or by any other means >: 17th. Quantity of Cotton grown in your District? 2 18th. ‘What isthe total num- ber of acres available for Cotton cultivation in this district ?. _-19th.. Do Capitalists make advances to. Ryots engaged in Cotton cultivation > ; ‘ i CARNATIC: EIGHT DISTRICTS. 213 Cotton is cultivated in this district on four descriptions of soils, viz., first, Karisel, or black soil; second, Veppel, a mixture of black and seat soil; third, Pottel, or stiff clay soil; and fourth, Shevel, or red soil; but ae extensively on black Cotton soil. Five pounds of each of the first three descriptions of soils will be forwarded to the Chem- ical Examiner at Madras for analysis. The price of Cotton on board ' ship varies considerably accord- ing to the state of the market, but on the average has been 89 Rupees per Candy of 500 lbs. net weight during the last four years. The price given to cultivator per Candy of. uncleaned Cotton with seed, ranges from Rupees 14-12-3 to Rupees 20-15-0.: Seven acres. © ‘ Sixty acres. Quantity exported from Tuti- corin in Fasly- 1270, from 1st July, 1860 to 30th June, 1861, was 30,667 Candies. If there was a considerable ‘rise in the price ‘of Cotton, the cultivation: would doubtless be extended. I do not see a better stimulus than this, | The average quantity grown yearly in the last three years was 150,000 Candies ; this is Cotton not cleaned. 207,850 acres. The Merchants and Agents jmake large advances to the ‘Brokers, Dealers, and Nattoo- kottay Chetties-equal to three- 828 214 coTToN IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI. quarters of the value of Cotton contracted for, and the latter again make advances to the Ryots engaged in Cotton cultiv- ation. 20th. What is done with the | A portion of the surplus Cot- surplus Cotton seed > ton seed is used as food for cattle, some is exported to Colombo. Letter from Mr. Hardy, European Agent at Tuti- corin.—The following letter, received from Mr. Thomas Mr. Hardy's Hardy, at Tuticorin, furnishes the follow- ce ing particulars respecting the Cotton trade ov., 1861. 5 ” of Tinnevelly. “ The average exports of Cotton for the last 10 years from this district have been about bales 55,000, but this year it may probably reach 90,000: one season during this decennial period it reached only bales 16,000, the crop being nearly a total failure. During the first half of these ten years, the price rarely exceeded Rupees 60 per Candy of 500 lbs.; but during the last five years the price has rarely been less than Rupees 80, and 1s now Rupees 100; which latter price will require at the present rates of freight and exchange, about 7d. per lb. at home to cover cost, charges, and commission. I have no doubt the present high price will cause a much greater quantity of land to be brought under Cotton cultivation, but not to the extent in this district as might be expected, for all agricultural produce has risen in value more than Cotton. At the same time Cotton is a very favourite cultivation with the Ryots: It gives them fuel, and the seed is the best and most fattening food for their cattle. The quality of Cotton produced here is second tono Indigenous Cotton grown in India (excepting the Dharwar saw-ginned) ; it is of good colour, but the staple is short, and the Ryots adulterate it with seed and trash. If such was not the case it would rank higher in Europe. Nearly the whole of the Cotton grown here went formerly to China, but it now almost entirely goes to London and Liverpool, but the bulk is re-exported principally to Northern Europe. Cotton is here planted in rather a slovenly manner broad cast, and two crops are taken 1858-62.] CENTRAL TABLE-LAND: FIVE DIsTRIcTS. 215 during the year, one in February and one in June. Cotton is planted in the month of October and Novem- ber, and deliveries begin to take place in April. Cot- ton is all bought on contract for delivery under heavy advances to the sellers, viz., about three-fourth of its value, and for delivery in periods varying from two to four months.” In a subsequent letter, Mr. Hardy says,— I donot think that saw gins will be introduced in Tinnevelly, for the staple of the Tinnevelly Cotton is shorter than that of Dharwar.” 8rd, Central Table-land: five Districts This large territory between the Western and Eastern Ghauts slopes away from west to east, and from south to north; that is, from the great western chain of moun- tains to what might be called the eastern hills; and from the southern territory of Mysore, which has a mean elevation of 3000 feet, to the northern districts of Bellary and Cuddapah, where the mean elevation is 1600 feet. It embraces five districts, viz.—(1) Bellary, (2) Kurnool, (3) Cuddapah, (4) Salem, (5) Coimbatore. (1) Bellary: detailed report from the Collector.— “ Bellary is oneof the largest Cotton-growing districts in the Madras Presidency. ‘The Mz Heit: Collector reports that nearly 600,000 acres 10th June, are available for the cultivation, and of . these nearly half were planted with Cotton during the season of 1860-61. The land is tolerably accessible to the ordinary country carts at all times, save during the rainy weather. A sufficient quantity of Cotton is obtained for consumption within the district, and a large quantity is exported to Madras, Bangalore, Wal- lajapet, and Coomptah. These lines of communication, with the exception of the one to Coomptah, appear to be in-good order.” The following extracts from a detailed. report furnished by Mr. Pelly, the Collector, in reply to Professor Mallet’s application, are worthy of record. Soil_—* Attempts have at different times been made to introduce the cultivation in this district 4, peny's of the American Cotton; but theexperiments _ letter, 7# have generally failed. The Cotton grown ™*” 18% 329 330 331 216 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI. throughout this district, viz., ‘ White’ Cotton,’ is of but one kind. This Cotton is grown in the Black or Regud lands, dependent entirely on the rain; it is not usual to water Cotton by artificial means. ‘It is cus- tomary to cultivate.Cotton in every third year, leaving the land in the two intermediate years for the growth of Cholum (dry grain) crops... ‘Before the rainy season sets in, the land is prepared and kept ready for sowing, by ploughing it twice with the implement called ‘ Chin- na Goontaka,’ a large hoe drawn by four bullocks. ‘The Regud, or Black lands, of this district generally retain their moisture at a depth of half a yard. under the sur- face. When sufficient rain has fallen to soak the upper surface to a depth of half a yard, and so to connect it with the under moist soil, it is considered that the land has received a sufficient supply, and Cotton is accord- ingly sown in it. : After the sowing, if rain falls at any time within a month, it is of much benefit to the crop ; but the crop is not dependent on this second fall, if the ground has been previously. fully moistened. Cotton is sown by itself or with corraloo: two rows of the lat- ter grain are sown for every one row of Cotton. Cotton 332 sown by itself, is sown generally about fifteen days later than the sowing of. Cotton mixed with corraloo. The land is liable to be overgrown with grass if not kept down; but weeds do not abound generally. Geology and Topography.—‘ The .dry lands. of this district may be classéd :into three sorts :—1st, Black ; 2nd, Mixture. of Black and: Red; 3rd, Red. The soil of the southern Talooks is generally. of the two latter descriptions, and that of the western Talooks is of the first and second descriptions. The other.Talooks are entirely Black land.. Much. of .the irrigated land is Black, and a portion is mixed with sand, like the second description of dry land, or with salt land. The Black and Mixed soils are free from any rocks or stones, but the Red land is intermixed with stones and gravels. This Red land is not fertile soil. When it is cultivated continually for three years, it becomes unfit for cultiva- tion, and must lie fallow for five or six years. ‘.White gravel is found at two yards below the ground in Black- 1853-62.] CENTRAL TABLE-LAND: FIVE DISTRICTS. 217 lands, and Red gravel is found at about half to one yard below the ground in the other two descriptions of soil. The distance to this district from the eastern coast. is about 300 miles, and from the western coast 200 miles; and its situation is about 1500 feet above the level of the sea, and is naturally well drained. ' ‘ Climate.—“In this inland district the rain-fall is 333 very small, generally about 20 to 30 inches at most, and the climate is very dry.’ The seasons for rain are from May to August, and secondly ‘from September to the 15th November.: The quantity of ‘rain that fell during the last five years is shown in the foot note.* The Cotton lands are entirely dependent upon the fall of rain, as irrigation is not employed.: — ' Seed used and whence obtains —“The kind of seed 334 used, is that of the: Cotton grown in this district. Nature and character of the Cotton —* The Cotton’ 335. of this district is of the herbaceous character, or small shrubs. The height of the plant varies from two and a half to one and a half feet.. Its branches are spread _ over a foot, and the seed sown is two or three inches apart in the same row, but between each row a space - of about one foot and a half is-left. When Cotton and corraloo are sown together, one row of Cotton is planted for every two rows of corraloo, and a’space of about two ‘feet is left between each line. The corraloo is harvested earlier than the Cotton, which comes to ma- turity a month afterwards. In the best lands, the root spreads one to one and a half feet in depth ; but in. ordinary land not deeper than one foot or even less; laterally it does not spread more than from three to four inches. ‘ Method of pattivaton: tins of foweting, and 836. weight of Cotton wool per acre, &c.—“ As already * Early rains. Later rains. Inches, Inches. 1852-58... .. 75... .. ,. QEB 1853-84... 00 6. T1ow. ues, 28 1854-55 .. oe OL gs a .- 10°9 1855-56. . we BB as 15: 3 1856-57... eo. 14 64 218 coTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI. stated, the Regud or Black land, previously made ready for cultivation, is, upon a seasonable fall of rain, sown through bamboo tubes with an implement called Gooroo (Drill plough), containing three teeth, and drawn by a pair of bullocks. But in sowing Cotton and corraloo together, the former is sown in the drill made by the middle tooth of the drill, and the corraloo on either side; making one row of Cotton for every two lines of corraloo. When Cotton is sown alone, the middle drill is left unfilled, and the two outer ones are alone sown. The usual time for the cultivation of Cot- ton with corraloo is about the month of September, and for Cotton alone about fifteen or twenty days after- wards. The plants are two or three inches apart in the same row; but the rows are, as before said, one and a half to two feet from each other. The amount of labour bestowed upon weeding during growing time is as follows. When the Cotton and corraloo crops are of one month’s growth, two implements (Hoes) called ‘ Yadagoontakah,’ drawn with a bullock and a driver each, are employed for weeding on two occasions, once in twelve days. After this has been done, another de- scription of implement, called ‘ Juntalagoontakah,’ three in number, with a pair of bullocks and three drivers, is employed on two occasions once in ten days. ‘The extent of land which may be weeded from nine o'clock in the morning up to the evening would not be more than four acres; and the amount of labour be- stowed upon weeding four times the above quantity of land may be estimated at Rupees 24, or 4s.6d. But where Cotton alone is sown without corraloo, the weed is hoed after one month’s growth of the crop, twice at. twelve days’ interval, by the ‘ Pillagoontaka, with a pair of bullocks and two drivers, at a cost of eight an- nas per day, or one rupee for the two occasions they are employed. The average extent of land weeded in a day is four acres. The flowering time is generally two months after sowing, and the crop comes to maturity three months after flowering or five months after sow- ing. The Cotton is picked on three occasions in the month. It is in the second time that the largest quan- 1863-62.] CENTRAL TABLE-LAND: FIVE DISTRICTS. 219 tity of Cotton is picked. On the whole, the average quantity of Cotton produced per acre may be estimated at 15 maunds (375 lbs.) ; and, deducting one-third or five maunds for the remuneration of persons employed in picking, the net quantity remaining for the culti- vator would be 10 maunds, which will produce 24 maunds of Cotton wool. On an average, one man is required to clean one maund of Cotton in a day, at the rate of one anna per maund. Manure.“ Manure is never used; the seed is not returned to the ground until the land is sown again. After the picking is over, the stalks are cut down and gathered, and do not decay on the field. Diseases.—“ The Cotton crop is free from the ravages of insects; but when the north-east wind blows, the plant is subject to blight of three kinds, called ‘Mujjega,’ ‘Mussy,’ and ‘ Barigi.’ By the first kind, the leaves of the plant become white; by the second, the tender as well as other leaves turn black and wither away soon; and by the last, the leaves, &c., become spotted and destroyed. But if the south-east wind blows, and the sun is bright, it will recover.” (2) Kurnool: a Cotton-growing District. —“ Kurnool is a Cotton-growing district, having about 250,000 acres under cultivation. It carries on a ‘ Mr. Min- small export trade through Cuddapah to chin’s letter, Madras. Mr. Minchin, the Collector, is of $thFeb. opinion that the sole obstacle to the in- a creased production of the article, consists in its great bulk as compared with its value :—the cost of transit to Madras, and consequent low price which the trader can afford to pay to the producer as compared with other staples of production. Cost of transit: the sole obstacle to increased pro- duction.—‘ The average cost of a bandy from the Cot- ton-producing Talook of Pattikondu to Madras is Ru- pees 380, or 60s.; and as one-third of a ton is the great- est load that is ever placed on a cart or bandy at the most favourable season of the year, ninety Rupees, or £9 per ton of the price obtainable at Madras, has to be deducted for the cost of transit. The Cotton itself is 338 339 340 841 342+ 220 coTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI. of a most worthless description, and its intrinsic value is not therefore sufficient to enable it to bear a costly land carriage. I am not myself of opinion that the staple is likely to be improved in any way by Native agri- culturists. The modes of cultivation, picking, and pre- paration, are all too slovenly to permit any reasonable hope of material improvement being effected by un- taught Native efforts, even should the Ryots be willing to make any efforts of the kind. There is no doubt, however, that when the ordinary Cotton of this coun- try reaches a price sufficient to pay the cost of the expensive land journey to the coast, it can be produced in this district to a large extent, and the limit to its cultivation is simply its proportionate remuneration to the producer, as compared with that of grains. It appears certain, therefore, that the completion of the canal to Madras, and the cheap means of communica- tion that will then be offered, will enable traders to pay a much larger price for the ordinary Cotton of this district than they can now afford to do; and should the present demand for the article continue, its pro- duction in this part of the country will be increased. ° Improvements in the quality must ‘be effected by the Merchants themselves,—“ Should the exigencies of the English market induce English capitalists to settle ‘in the district, under their guidance some improvement would doubtless be effected in the picking and prepara- tion of the article.. I doubt, however, the practicability of any real improvement being made in the staple; and believe that if England looks to India for her Cotton supply, our mannfacturers must learn to make use of the present inferior description, which alone the country appears capable of producing.” : (3) Cuddapah: present state of Cotton as reported by Mr. Wedderburn, the Collector.—Cuddapah is also a Cotton-growing district, about 50,000 acres being Mr.Wedder. UOder this cultivation. Mr. Wedderburn, burn’sletter, the Collector, reports as follows.. “The goth April, out-turn of this district last year was calcu- lated at more than two millions of lbs., valued at 34d. per lb. upon the spot, or about £30,000, 1853-62.] CENTRAL TABLE-LAND: FIVE DISTRICTS. 221 the greater part of which is exported. This Cotton, though short in staple, is of a fair quality; but it is liable to deterioration from careless picking and pack- ing. It is not properly cleaned, and when gathered it is packed loosely in bags which do not exclude the dust. ‘Were some mercantile firm to purchase direct from the grower, and to superintend or insist on greater care in the gathering, and to establish a screw press on the spot to screw the bales ready for shipment in this dry climate, instead of that process being performed in the damp air of the sea-coast, I believe that the value of this Cotton in the home market would be enhanced, and the cost of carriage reduced. Finer qualities than the Indigenous Cotton could only be produced by a local demand and good prices.” In a sub- sequent letter Mr. Wedderburn stated that Mr Wodder- the extension of the cultivation depended aoe Oats upon the profit to be derived from the ex- : portation of Cotton as compared with the exportation of other grain products. That Government could do nothing that would prove of advantage, beyond add- ing a few bridges to a road, and thus facilitating the export, and cheapening the cost of transit. Above all, that the people would not be induced to grow any kind of Cotton but their own stunted Indigen- ous variety ; all previous experiments with foreign seed having proved failures, excepting perhaps in gar- dens and favoured localities; whilst the commercial value of other crops grown on irrigated lands rendered it impossible that Cotton should be grown at a profit on any but dry lands. Private individuals must take the risk and profit of introducing a better system of cultivation, if there be one ; and of dealing directly for the raw produce, which is much deteriorated in picking, cleaning, packing, and transit. Detailed report by Mr. Murray, the previous Col- lector.—The following report, drawn up mM yy. Murray’s 1858 in reply to Professor Mallett’s applica- _ letter, 1st tion, conveys still more particular informa- 7 1° tion respecting the Cotton cultivation in the district of Cuddapah. 843 344 345 346 222 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI. Soil,— “Cotton is chiefly grown in the Western portion of the Cuddapah district, in land commonly designated ‘Ragada’ or Black Cotton soil, which is very tenacious of moisture and is almost impassable in the monsoon. During the dry weather, the whole surface of the ground is broken up by the deep fissures caused by the drought, but is filled up during the rains. The soil is very fertile in almost every part of the district, though there are some exceptions ; and upon it, various kinds of cereals, pulse, oil seeds, and indigo are grown, which, when sown on land which are properly taken care of and manured, produce large returns. Weeds, —“ Black Cotton land, if not annually ploughed, but left waste for several years, very soon becomes clogged by an Indigenous plant called Nut- grass, which penetrates into the ground from three- fourths to one yard deep, and the herbage spreads along the surface of the field; and should a Ryot wish to cultivate this waste land, he will require to yoke six or eight pairs of large heavy bullocks to his plough to force it through the roots, which also require to be extirpated by manual labour with the aid of pick- axes. There is also an Indigenous plant with a root something resembling a Potato, commonly called by the Natives ‘Kudunchy ;’ the root varies from the size of a small toa large Potato, is excessively bitter, and cannot be eaten, and from it springs a species of vine, which runs along the ground and produces a yel- low flower, and a fruit of the size of a small green chilly, which is gathered by the Natives and used as food. I have never seen this root in any other except in the Black land. 187- edient to print it in extenso, merely omitting certain data which have already been exhibited so prominently in the summary of Dr. Wight’s reports, as to require no repetition here. Soil: Black, Red, and Alluvium.—“The soils on Q 852 353 354 3855 356 226 corToN IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VL which Cotton is grown in this district are as follows. 1. Black Cotton soil (also called Regur),a formation said to be peculiar to India. Its component parts seem as yet doubtful. 2. Red soil, formed from disintegrated granite, with a large admixture of sand. 3. Alluvium of sand and loam, very light and mixed with much kunkur limestone. The stiffer clayey soils do not answer well, being liable to bake and become very hard in dry weather. These two latter are not very deep, averaging about fourteen inches. The Black soil is the deepest, averaging three or four feet, not unfre- quently reaching six feet in depth; it is also the dry- est, and though very absorbent after rain at first, it does not keep the moisture long, and the rain does not penetrate it beyond a few inches. In some of the more sandy Black soils it is said however to penetrate three feet. The Red soils, on the other hand, retain the moisture longer, and it penetrates them deeper. Nearly every crop grown in India is raised on these soils, the various kinds of millets,* the castor oil plant, etc. On the Black soil, coriander and Bengal-gram (Cicer Arietinum, Lin.) are also largely sown; but it is chiefly devoted to the Oopum or Native Cotton; the New Orleans and other exotic species not having been found so suitable for it. The soils are all fertile, but a field’s producing good grain crops is not a criterion it will yield a good Cotton crop, which is also regarded as very exhausting to the soil. The Red and Alluvial seem to produce no weeds, but are covered with the general vegetation of the country. The Black soil is singularly destitute of weeds; thistles and the daturata (Stramonium) seem to attach themselves most to it, and it nourishes only thorny trees of the acacia tribe. Geology and topography.—‘ The district is entirely primitive granite rock, over which the soil is in general * KE. g. Cholum (Holchus Saccharatus. Lin.) Cumboo (Holchus Spicatus. Lin.) Raggy (Cynosurus Coracanus. Lin.) Samy (Panicum Miliaceum. Lin.) Tenay (Panicum Italicum. Lin.) Gram (Glycine Tomentosa. Lin.) 1853-62.] CENTRAL TABLE-LAND: FIVE DISTRICTS. 227 but thinly spread ; the underlying rock frequently crop- ping out. Beds of kunkur or limestone generally occur beneath the Black soil. Its topographical character is that of a wide plain between two mountain ranges, averaging 70 miles across from north to south. The Western portion lies opposite the Paulghaut Gap, a remarkable break of some 30 miles wide in the line of the Western Ghauts about 70 miles from the sea, through which the moist south-west monsoon blows inland strongly and incessantly from June to Septem- ber. It is im the tract under the influence of this current that the New Orleans and exotic Cottons grow best. The general level above the sea, may be estimated at 1000 feet, and the surface being every- where gently undulating is well drained. Climate“ From June to September, during the prevalence of the south-west monsoon, the climate is cool and cloudy with continual light rains. In Octo- ber and November heavy showers fall, the north-east monsoon then sets in, and there is a continuance of clear, bright weather with heaty night dews till Feb- ruary. Hot burning land winds then prevail till May, and all vegetation is scorched up, though the early showers are generally looked for in April and May; these rains however are by no means constant. From June to September the tract lying within and in front of the Paulghaut Gap receives continual rain, which seldom however extends to the lands beside or beyond the gap. In October and November the heaviest showers fall. The yearly average of rain at Coimbatore is 18 inches, and probably twice as much in its south- west portion. Irrigation is not employed in the culti- vation of Cotton. It was tried experimentally with favourable results, but had to be used sparingly, and care taken that the surface of the ground did not cake. In a small field, which had been occasionally watered, the crop of New Orleans Cotton amounted to 260 lbs. per acre, whilst in another neighbouring field unirri- gated, the pickings scarcely reached 20 lbs. per acre. Difference of soil, however, may have had some influence Q2 : 857 308 359 228 cOTTON IN. THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI. over this; and by some irrigation is said not to answer, producing leaves but not Cotton. -Seed used and whence obtained.—The seed of the Native Oopum Cotton is kept by the Natives from the last crop, and sown in the following season. The seed is not separated from the Cotton till the sowing time, or it loses its germinating power. The New Orleans, Bourbon, Mexican, &c. seed used in the late Experi- mental Farm, was obtained by Government from Eng- land, or brought out by the American Planters formerly engaged on the Farm here. New Orleans seed of the ninth generation in this country produced excellent crops; and the American plant has been cultivated in this district from the same seed for eleven years, with- out apparent deterioration in the quality of either the Cotton or seed produced.* Character of the Cotton plant.—‘“The Oopum is a small plant, seldom exceeding five feet in height, gene- rally less, and wears the appearance of a degenerated species. Its branches have not the same lateral spread as the exotic kinds. The Bourbon also averages from two to three feet in height, but the branches extend almost as far laterally. The plants are low, depressed, crooked, and as it were stunted. The New Orleans variety, if left untrimmed, shoots up to nearly six feet in height. In the field it averages about four feet; the branches are longer and thinner than the preceding species, with more of an upward than a lateral direc- tion. A bush four feet high and trimmed will measure nearly as much in spread. Two hundred pods have been counted on a single bush, the stem often equals a man’s finger in thickness, and it is the only description cultivated here, that at all approaches a tree. From a foot to eighteen inches is left between the plants, but if the growth is vigorous not less than an average dis- tance of eighteen inches should be allowed. In moderately fertile and high and dry lands, from two and a half to three feet between the rows is enough; * This fact has been disputed. See General Results at the con- clusion of the present chapter, para. 372. 1853-62.] CENTRAL TABLE-LAND: FIVE DISTRICTS. 229 but for moist low-lying rich soils five feet is not too much, as in such circumstances the bushes will still fill the ground, and unless they have plenty of room the crop blights. The roots of Native Cotton penetrate deeper than American, and the Bourbon plant goes even deeper than the Native; hence the two latter bear heat and drought better than American. In the sam- ples of American plants now forwarded, the roots owing to their age (5 years) are immensely developed, ex- tending some of them to four feet in length and ‘two feet in lateral spread: this no doubt much exceeds the average of ordinary plants, which are now unfortunately not obtainable. The roots of the Bourbon plant ap- pear to average one foot anda half in depth and fifteen inches in spread, and those of the Native Oopum Cot- ton to be about the same in depth, which, considering it is much the smallest of the three, argues a greater proportional depth. Its lateral roots however appear to be very insignificant. Mode of cultivation, time: of flowering, weight of 360 Cotton wool per acre, ete.—‘“In the southern pro- vinces of India, the cultivation of Cotton has to be adapted to the peculiarities of the season. Drought is an obstacle, not so much from insufficiency in the quantity of rain, as from its all falling within too short a period. Occasionally for months scarcely a shower falls, until the monsoon regularly sets in; and then, in place of the total quantity being distributed over two or three months, nearly the whole falls in as many weeks or even days. This usually happens in October; and a few days of gloomy weather and heavy rain has been known to destroy a fine crop just bursting the pod. It becomes therefore an object so to regulate the sowing, that the flowering shall commence after the heavy rains have ceased, and the pods ripen during the bright clear weather that always follows; so that, in short, the plants may receive wet weather while grow- ing, and dry sunny weather while maturing. The mode of cultivation is simple. The ground is well ploughed, the deeper the better; and as much as possi- ble freed from weeds, and if uneven the inequalities 230 corToN IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [cHAP. VI. reduced. It should then remain fallow some months, and kept in readiness to receive the seed at a day’s notice; a single heavy shower will then fit it for the reception of the seed. Any such falling between the middle of August and beginning of October should be taken advantage of, to get the seed sown. If this is done, the plant will be sufficiently advanced to derive the fullest benefit from the monsoon rains, and should come into crop in the course of January, a bright and dry month; fom which time in ordinary seasons it will yield a constant harvest for three or four months, and if refreshed by a shower or two in April or May, will yield a second crop in autumn. The first hoeing is a most important operation, and should never be delayed beyond the appearance of the third proper leaf (not counting the two seed leaves) ; the ground should be freely loosened round the roots, and superfluous plants thinned out, so as to give those that are left ample room to spread and fill the ground. In a month or two, when the flowers begin to open, a second hoeing is wanted to clean the ground; otherwise it gets foul and weedy. From that time little more is required, as the plants are then sufficiently advanced to keep down the weeds and receive little injury from them. Ano- ther ploughing in the interval between the two hoeings is always beneficial, by so well loosening and airing the soil, Very few plants aré injured by ploughing be- tween the rows, as the roots penetrate deeply and are not in the way of the plough ; while any plant trodden down by the bullocks, the roots being uninjured, soon recovers. The seed should never be sown deeper than two inches, if‘simply covered it is enough. From three and a half to four feet between the rows is a good dis- tance, as allowing the free use of the plough; heavier crops are so obtained than from closer sowing, the fruit setting and ripening better, and fewer flowers blighting and dropping off. A foot, or, should the plant be vigor- ous, eighteen inches should be allowed between the plants. The “ridging” system does not answer, as it runs the water off too rapidly. After the autumn crop is picked, the ground should be deeply ploughed be- 1853-62.] CENTRAL TABLE-LAND: FIVE DISTRICTS. 231 tween the rows, and well exposed to air before the mon- soon rains set in; and should they be copious, may be again ploughed and afterwards hoed and weeded. ‘The plants will then shoot afresh and bear another year ; but the second crop is seldom good, and scarcely worth the cost, in the interior at least. On the coast, New Orleans Cotton has been known to yield better crops in the se- cond year. The foregoing account refers to the culti- vation in this district of American Cotton. The Native mode of cultivating Indigenous Cotton answers to it in all essential points. The ground is ploughed four or five times in April; the seed sown early in October, but usually broad cast, and the ground again ploughed, and three times weeded during growth. At the first weed- ing five labourers are employed per acre; at the second six; and at the third four: they are paid in grain. The picking occupies February and March, and is done at intervals of eight days at atime. Four labourers are employed per acre in picking, and one labourer will pick 12 lbs. of clean Cotton in the season. Generally speaking, from 150 to 250 lbs. per acre is always looked upon as a full crop of Native seed Cotton, while from 850 to 500 lbs. is by no means unusual in the case of American in good soil and very dark coloured. Very light, almost sandy, alluvial loam, usually cultivated as tice fields, has been known to produce from 1200 to 1400 lbs. of seed Cotton (American) per acre. Three hundred pounds of seed Cotton represent 90 lbs. of clean Cotton. Cultivation to be profitable should yield 100 Ibs. of ginned staple per acre. Gins give for Na- tive Cotton about 21, and for American 29 per cent. of Cotton to seed. Manure,—“ No manure is used, nor any Cotton seed 361 returned to the soil. The stalks are not allowed to de- cay on the ground. They are always plucked up and used by the Natives as firewood. Diseases.—“ With respect to Native Cotton, in No- 362 vember and December the roots are liable to be attacked by a worm or grub, which kills the plant. In Decem- ber, too, the flowers and leaves are sometimes destroyed by a blight. Should too strong an east wind blow in 232 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI January, February, or March, the leaves fall, the plants droop, and the pods grow crooked. Cloudy, rainy weather when the pods burst spoils them. In American Cotton, the flowers are apt to be extensively destroyed by two beetles, of the genera cetonia and cantharis, that feed upon them; the pods, when ripening, are liable to be pierced by an insect, the lava of which feeds on the in- side; so that when they open, a large portion of the wool is stained rusty red and spoilt.” Lee 363 4th, Western strip or Malabar coast: three districts, —The narrow strip of land between the Western Ghauts and Indian Ocean, is known by the general name of Malabar, and stretches from the little Native state of Paras. 7,101, Cochin on the South, northwards to the ah frontiers of the Bombay Presidency. The physical features of this region, which is peculiarly open to the influence of the south-west monsoon, have already been described; as well as the results of the Cotton exploring expedition of Mr. Simpson, the American planter. The country is divided into three districts ; viz.—(1) North Canara; (2) South Canara; (8) Malabar. 864 (1) North Canara: not a Cotton producing District. —North Canara is not at present a Cotton producing district. The port of Coomptah on the coast is the out- let for nearly all the Cotton exported from Bellary and the Nizam’s dominions. The district is also the scene of an interesting experiment in the growth of foreign Mr. Fischers Cotton now under trial. The Collector re- letter, 12th ports that the lines of communication be- April, 1861. tween the frontier of the neighbouring Cot- ton districts and the coast, are in better order than any beyond the boundary of the district. The principal road, namely, that between Dharwar and Coomptah, is bridged and metalled, and in good working order. Mr. Fischer adds,—‘ The obstacles to increased production seem to be uncertainty of local demand, the want of European capital and influence in the producing dis- tricts, and the absence of a direct shipping port on the coast. If European Agency and capital were to be found in the Cotton districts, there would be no diffi- Paras. 76, 78. 1853-62.] MALABAR COAST: THREE DISTRICTS. 233 culty in increasing the supply of Cotton. However great the demand may be at a distance, it has but a very indirect effect on the producing powers of the Ryot. If the demand exists at his own door, or within his own re he has both the will and the industry to profit it.” 7 epott of the District Engineer on the experimental 365 culture of Mr, Kleinknecht.—The District Engineer reports “that Cotton soil, in the usual ac- 9... ceptation of that term, does not exist in Walker's this’ district, except possibly in small etter 19th: patches along portions of the Dharwar fron- , tier near Moondagode and Hullial, where however Cotton is not:actually grown, the ground being covered with jungle. “ But it is right to add that an experiment on a large scale for the growth of Cotton in jungle land below the Ghauts, has been in progress for a couple of seasons, under Mr. Kleinknecht, the Agent for Mr. Brooke, a Merchant of Bombay and Secretary to the Chamber of Commerce at that port. None but the finest varieties of foreign seed are put down by Mr. Kleinknecht, and I have heard a very high opinion expressed of samples of his produce by the Agent of another Bombay Firm now at Beitkool. Mr. Brooke and Mr. Kleinknecht appear to have studied the subject for some years past, and to have experimentally satisfied themselves as to the right season for planting, on which so much depends. So far as | am yet informed, Mr. Kleinknecht is sanguine of producing Cottons of superior staples, the high prices commanded by which, and the cheapness of shipping them, will amply repay even the heavy cost of European superintendence, and of felling and weeding plantations cut in heavy jungle, and liable to an overgrowth of rank vegetation each monsoon. “ But the fullest particulars regarding this interest- ing and practical experiment will be afforded to Grovern- ment by Mr. Kleinknecht himself, in competing for the prize offered in each Presidency for the encouragement of Cotton produce of the superior qualities. I will only add that should he prove successful, he will have opened 7 366 367 368 369 234 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI. a large field for speculators in the same line, as ground precisely similar to that operated upon by him is avail- able along the banks of all our large rivers below the Ghaut, especially the Kalee Nuddee or Sedashegur river, the Gungawally, the Tuddey, and Honore rivers.” — (2) South Canara: not a Cotton producing District. —South Canara produces but a very inconsiderable Mr.Hodg- amount of Cotton, and that little is sown son’sletter, along with grain, and is used entirely in 6thDec.1861. domestic manufactures. The quantity pro- duced is indeed so small that none ever finds its way to the seaboard for shipment ; on the contrary it is imported largely from the port of Coomptah in North Canara. (8) Malabar: not a Cotton producing District.— Mr.Grant’s Lhe Collector reports that Malabar is not letter, 18th a Cotton producing district. The article is April, 1861. however largely imported by land from the adjoining province of Coimbatore, chiefly for the pur- ose of exportation by sea to Bombay. Native States: Mysore, Cochin, and Travancore, — The Cotton grown in the Native states in the Madras MrBernys Presidency is inconsiderable in quantity, letter, 3¢h_ and is almost entirely employed for domes- November, tic purposes. From the port of Cochin : about 250,000 Ibs. are annually exported to Bombay. The trade is entirely in the fads of the Shroffs or Native Bankers, who advance money to the cultivators, and thus keep the trade entirely to them- selves. Conclusion : general results—It seems expected that before bringing the present Hand-book to a close, the compiler should offer some opinion on the results of the experiments that have been made in the way of improv- ing the Cotton staple in this country. In the prepara- tion of the foregoing work, he has considered himself more in the light of a literary mechanic, condensing and arranging the subject matter in such a form as would render the facts most digestible to the general reader, than as possessing any special knowledge of Cotton be- yond what might be required in the prosecution of his 1853-62.] FOUR GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. 235 task. But still the analysis and comparison of facts naturally leads to certain convictions, and those con- victions may perhaps be recorded with advantage. Four general conclusions.—Four general conclusions appear to have been established; viz.— 1st, American Cotton can be grown, but the profit is questionable. : 2nd, Indian Cotton may be improved, but only to a degree. 8rd, American Cotton must always command a higher price than Indian. 4th, The demand for Indian Cotton must always de- pend on the supply of American. These four conclusions may be considered in order. 1st, American Cotton can be grown, but the profit is questionable.—The fact that American Cotton can be grown in the Madras Presidency, has been sufficiently proved by the numerous experiments that have been recorded ; but the produce, though of good quality, has been very ‘variable and disappointing as regards quantity. The question of profit, however, is a totally different one. Mr. David Lees produced much fine Cotton in Tinnevelly, but at a great pecuniary sacrifice. Captain Lawford again endeavoured to prove that the cultivation of foreign Cotton would prove as profitable to the Ryot as that of grain, even on the more highly rented lands that are under an artificial system of irri- pation. But the Ryots would not be convinced. Set- ting grain out of the question, the Ryot has hitherto found it more safe and profitable to grow Indigenous Cotton than to grow New Orleans Cotton. The cultiva- tion of the Indigenous article is cheap and simple. The picking and separation of the staple from the seed costs literally nothing, for both operations are performed by hands which would be otherwise idle. The crop is tolerably certain, the staple clothes the family, the seed feeds the cattle, and the residue finds a ready market on the spot. On the other hand, American Cotton is a speculation. The cultivation is more difficult, the se- paration of the staple from the seed is more expensive, the crop is uncertain, the staple not in use amongst 370 371 3 2 236 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VL Native spinners, the seed popularly supposed to be un- fit for cattle, and the market doubtful and distant. High prices on the spot would extend the cultivation of Indian Cotton, and perhaps promote the cultivation of American Cotton; but this is a question for the con- sideration, not of Government, but of the merchant and manufacturer. 2nd, Indian Cotton may be improved, but only toa degree.—This inference, though it amounts to a con- viction, is not so distinctly proved as the previous pro- position. It has been stated that at one time the Cot- ton of India was of a finer quality than it is in the present day. This may be readily believed. In the olden time, when Indian manufactured goods were in large demand, the Native manufacturers purchased the raw material upon the spot, and the prices varied ac- cording to quality. Thus the profit of the grower de- pended upon the quality of the wool, and more attention was naturally paid to the cultivation of the plant and cleanliness of the staple. Up to this point, and by means of a similar stimulus, the Indigenous Cotton may be improved in the present day, but no further. As a re- Economist, cent writer ina London paper has remarked, 2a san, the Indigenous Cotton is the product of an Indian soil and climate, just as New Orleans is the product of an American soil and climate. The same writer also states that New Orleans Cotton grown in India has a tendency to degenerate, and to approx- imate year by year to the Indigenous article. To this it may be added that the Bourbon Cotton of the present day can scarcely be of the same quality as it was forty years ago, when “ Hughes Tinnevelly Cotton” was quoted at high prices in the Liverpool market. Indeed, it might be inferred that the crop is more or less pre- carious in proportion to the difference between the ex- otic plant and the Indigenous article. Accordingly it seems to be very nearly proved, that whilst an improved quality of the Indigenous Cotton can be produced with profit to the Ryot by a little more care in the selection of seed, in the cultivation of the plant, and in the clean- liness of the staple,-—the soil and climate of Southern 1853-62. ] FOUR GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. 237° India will never produce a reliable and permanent crop of Cotton equal to the New Orleans variety. 3rd, American Cotton must always command a 378 higher price than Indian,—This conclusion is already proved by what has been stated in support of the pre- vious proposition. New Orleans Cotton is undoubtedly better than any which has yet been produced in India. A pound of New Orleans makes much more yarn, and from the length of the staple can be twisted much more rapidly into yarn than a pound of Indian Cotton, Thus a pound of New Orleans Cotton must always fetch more than a pound of Indian Cotton, because it furnishes a larger quantity and a better quality of wool. — 4th, The demand for Tadlan Cotton must always 374 depend upon the supply of American,—This conclusion may also be inferred from the previous propositions. The manufacturer will always prefer New Orleans to Indian Cotton ; and Indian will only be purchased when New Orleans is scarce and too highly priced. The po- sition of Indian Cotton in the English market is thus strictly a subsidiary one; and its utility to the manu- ' facturer is more in the way of keeping down the price of New Orleans, than of being actually employed in the manufacture of goods. The tendency of New Orleans to rise in price is checked by the importation of Indian Cotton; and whenever the disparity of price is such that the same money’s worth of Indian staple will make more money’s worth of yarn than New Orleans, then the Indian will be largely in demand. The improve- ment of communications in India, and the large increase of Cotton cultivation in the latter country, will probably render the Indian Cotton better and cheaper; but until this Cotton can be laid down in Liverpool at such a price, and in such quantities, as to render the culture of American Cotton a loss to the Planter, the American will always hold its own, and the demand for Indian will depend upon the supply of American. Manchester looks to India for Cotton, not to supply her looms, but to keep down the price of the New Orleans staple. Political and commercial prospects of Indian Cotton, 375 -~Upon this point, as on the others, the compiler merely 238 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI. expresses those convictions which have arisen in his mind during the prosecution of his present task. It is said that the moment the blockade of the Southern States is broken, the Indian Cotton will cease to be in demand. This may occur for a brief period, but is scarcely likely to be lasting. A panic may bring down the price of Indian Cotton to a minimum, but it is not so certain that the price of New Orleans will fall so low as to render the Indian quite a drug in the market. The Southern States have been so disorganized, and slavery has received such a blow, that we can scarcely expect that the American supply will be fully equal to the de- mand for a long time to come; and the weight of a na- tional debt will probably be so heavy that without any direct duty on the transit of Cotton, prices must be higher than they have been hitherto. It is perhaps as well to bear these conditions in mind, inasmuch as it is greatly to be feared that the panic which may follow the opening of the Southern ports, will prove so disastrous to the Cotton cultivation in this country, as to undo all the good that has been effected by the recent stimulus to the Indian supply. With the expression of these convictions, the task of the compiler is brought to a close. APPENDIX. I. STATEMENT SHOWING THE EXTENT OF COTTON CULTIVATION IN THE SEVERAL DISTRICTS OF THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY, FOR EIGHT YEARS, From 1853-54 to 1860-61. il STaTEMENT showing the Cultivation of Cotton in the Districts JSrom 1853-54, prepared from the Annual Jam- GOVERNMENT 1853-54. 1854-55. 1855-56. 1856-57, DISTRICTS, Extent. | Assess- | Extent.} Assess- | Extent. | Assess-| Extent. ment. ment. ment. Acres. | Rupees.| Acres. | Rupees.) Acres. | Rupees.| Acres. 1] Ganjam.. 2,574} 2,996} 2,482) 4,218] 2,647) 3,828] 3,066 2 | Vizagapatam...... 966] 4,506} 933) 4,304) 1,019) 4,618} 911 3 | Rajahmundry... 1,480] 3,594} 4,248) 9,304] 3,459] 6,979] 3,470 4 | Masulipatam...... 6,128} 6,767 7,246) 7,370] 6,410 5 | Guntoor ......... 55,206] 79,678] 54,862) 81,102] 63,570] 96,799] 60,877 6 | Nellore seessesceen 2,786] 5,181| 3,955] 6,064] 3,513 4,360 3,742 7 | Cuddapah.......... 42,233] 60,862] 47,962) 71,414} 40,554) 56,041] 44,224 8 | Bellary ..........0. 1,32,585|1,56,909 |1,04,578]1,26,778] 73,544) 89,114|1,50,927 9 | Kurnool............ 66,023} 76,148| 64,641] 72,755] 59,739! 66,935) 70,835 10 | Chingleput. an ge 2 8 1 11 | North Arcot...... 21 67 35 63 32 12 | South Arcot....... 1,828} 5,078] 2,227| 4,323 , 4,863} 10,553) 3,181 18 | Tanjore... 3,607] 5,106} 2,671) 3,957) 2,704] 3,805] 2,558 14 | Trichinopoly......] 5,950) 8,956] 6,060, 9,866} 5,188] 7,951 6,172 15 | Madura............. 36,681] 64,532) 34,499] 62,691] 31,520 57,682] 29,015 16 | Timnevelly......... 1,23,836 | 1,08,120 | 1,24,932 | 1,10,483 | 1,14,969|1,04,408 1,11,576 17 | Coimbatore........ 1,03,196 | 1,66,360|1,04,559} 161,311 1,22,457|1,40,455| 80,417 18 | Salem... 7,338| 11,664] 7,608] 11,922 5,597) 8,568] 11,241 19 | Canara... ue 20 | Malabar ............ . wea 6 oi 21 | Madras..ceeeel ee ai Total... 5,86,280 | 7,59,590 '5,72,366 | 7,47,326 |5,40,631 | 6,00,687 (5,88,608 1 of the Madras Presidency for the last eight years, commencing mabundy Accounts received from the Collectors. Lanps. 1857-58, 1858-59, 1859-60, 1860-61. Assess- Extent. Assess- | Extent. | Assess- | Extent. | Assess- | Extent. | Assess- ment, ment. ment, ment. ment. Rupees.| Acres. Rupees. | Acres. |Rupees.| Acres. |Rupees.| Acres. | Rupees. 4,124) 2,689 | 3,546 | 2,502] 3,368! 3,623 | 6,315] 2,955) 3,425 4,791 869 | 4,423 889) 4,847 gis | 4,707] 1,047| 4,699 7,585| 2,492 | 6,266 | 2,688} 4,821 “5207 8,681] 4,640] 6,409 7,142} 5,456 | 5,133 | 6,856| 6,639| > Kist. 93,168, 62,926 | 95,961 | 76,196/1,20,722 pesaio ae le 6,471] 2,351 | 3,158 | 2,762) 3,003) 3,270 | 4,018] 4,113] 5,032 66,251) 37,7652 | 67,181 | 23,092] 34,325] 22,166 | 92,354] 16,397) 17,048 2,25,388) 1,283,526 | 1,51,787 |1,78,271)1,74,023| 1,81,609 |1,86,697|1,80,157|1,94,643 977,900} 63,140 | 73,960 |1,01,648|1,19,514| 98,34 |1,14,736] 78,187) 93,167 , oe wee oon tee oe aoe ae wee 67/80 so} 241 35 28 42) 36) 57 5,789} 18,309 | 43,680°| 18,174] 42,085) 32,643 | 73,268) 34,686| 77,454 3,669| 2,361 | 3,671 | 1,786] 2,632] 1,036 | 1,356] 576| 798 3,734 4,920 | 8,383 | 5,070) 8,773| 4,608 | 7,945] 4719| 8,679 50,924| 92,806 | 61,504 | 31,975/ 59,415/ 33,691 | 62,478| 34,255] 63,208 98,188] 121,975 | 1,14,577 |1,25,985|1,18,577| 1,22,078 |1,08,7621,26,888|1,19,918 9,169] 1,00,329 | 1,15,077 |1,16,326|1,33,486| 1,03,916 |1,36,438|1,16,013 | 1,27,138 18,058 11,736 | 18,471 | 11,149] 77,827] 10,184 | 15,089| “10,507| 16,380 one eee ove eve netaa it 4 6 4 6 7,67,421\ 5,93,671 | 7,65,828 |7,00,462 8,51,492! 7,11,359 | 8,96,728]6,95,501 |8,52,265 R Statement showing the Cultivation of Cotton in the InaM 1853-54, 1854-55. 1855-56. 1856-57, DISTRICTS. Extent. Assets Extent. Assess: Extent. aperil Extent. Acres. | Rupees.| Acres. | Rupees.) Acres. Rupees.| Acres. 1} Ganjam........ 5 138}. 153 190 186; 309 125 2 | Vizagapatam...... 91 521 118 625 124 578 132 3 | Rajahmundry... 612) 1,095 425 657| 1,000] 1,550 839 4| Masulipatam......) ay 1,686; 2,114} 1,740] 1,964) 1,881 5 | Guntoor ............ 42,139| 60,796| 34,754) 53,941 41,900] 52,858] 36,286 6 | Nellore.........+++ 1,559} 2,491} 1,351} 1,700 849 922] 1,188 7 | Cuddapah.......... 25,338) 41,280] 27,090) 41,682) 25,277 39,715] 30,857 8 | Bellary .....s-0 81,069|1,18,104| 62,262} 87,476] 60,564] 72,754/1,09,650 9 | Kurnool........++ 41,075] 8,671] 39,818] 11,421] 40,498} 8,466/ 45,573 10 | Chingleput........] 0. wee atk eee Se Nes ea 11 | North Arcot...) .. oe 5 10 3 12 | South Arcot....... 3 7 . 7 15 1 13 | Tanjore.... 178 99} 65). 99 14 | Trichinopoly.. 40 66 39 66 39 66} 1,898 15 | Madura... 4,803} 9,335] 4,759} 9,069} 4,230] 8,095} 4,513 16 | Tinnevelly.. 2,983) 2,893] 2,926) 2,862} 2,577) 2,301] 1,879 17 | Coimbatore 8,904| 11,371] 9,368] 11,294] 11,749| 12,011] 9,739 18 | Salem... 41 106 17 30 13 19 48 19) | Camara. crises | xe aes . ais wok a 20 | Malabar ........... eae si oe 5 ae Total......... 2,08,873 | 2,66,736 !1,84,856 |2,23,027 |1,80,823 | 2,01,633 | 2,44,711 Vv Districts of the Madras Presidency, &c.—(Continued.) Lanps. 1857-58, 1858-59, 1859-60, 1860-61, Assist Extent. Astess Extent, Aaseae: Extent. Asseee: Extent. Aspeat Rupecs.| Acres. Rupees. | Acres. |Rupees.| Acres, |Rupees.| Acres. | Rupees. | 161 134 308 67 114 122 153 78 99 768 182 1,003 223] 1,139 246 1,343 275) 1,438 2,310 585 961 1,035} 1,604 “Tse 2,788; 2,247) 3,138 ~ 2,988 1,079 1,453 | 1,568] 2,131) Kist. 60,595 | 39,909 | 65,400 | 42,122] 67,284 paan Pe ee pe 1,761 512 629 989] 1,809] 1,000 | 1,233 7651 829 51,186 | 26,260 | 43,081 | 13,620) 21,964] 11,201 | 21,644) 9,523] 14,372 1,80,623 | 79,613 | 98,396 | 69,028] 95,337| 1,03,877 |1,11,619]1,02,516|1,10,701 9,946 37,931 8,441 | 63,745) 40,717| 64,151 | 16,558] 654,366] 35,016 9 2 6 5 9 1 5 5 14 8 7 47 2 5 655 | 1,933 225 653 3,381 510 617 749} 1,311 1,098 1,538 915) 1,649 8,526 5,067 9,583 4,764| 9,429 6,119 9,778| 3,830] 7,523 1,998 8,724 2,953 | 12,883] 15,860] 9,441 | 9,989] 12,286] 12,388 9,817 12,437 12,202 | 18,142] 12,745) 18,869 | 12,086] 14,685] 12,692 66 39 57 65 195 61 195 66 186 324,133 |9,08,031 | 235,142 |2,04,052 |2,61,053| 2,44,118 |2,61,066|2,45,200 |2,61,811 RQ StaTEMENT showing the Cultivation of Cotton in the ZEMINDARY 1853-54. 1854-55. 1855-56, 1856-57, Disreicts, Extent. | Assess- | Extent.| Assess- | Extent. ] Assess-| Extent. ment. ment. ment. Acres. | Rupees.| Acres. | Rupees.| Acres. | Rupees.| Acres. 1 | Ganjam............. 1,211) 2,671 10 28} 2,845) 4,673] 1,407 2 | Vizagapatam...... 4,247) 30,289| 3,959) 30,104} 3,960] 29,897) 4,066 3 | Rajahmundry... 2,912) 6,569| 4,248) 9,790} 3,765) 8,823} 3,453 4 | Masulipatam...... des ad ae 468 190 731 5 | Guntoor..., . si eee 4 one 6 | Nellore. 6,885) 6,396) 8,390) 7,641) 9,816] 8,449} 9,196 7 | Cuddapah 58 119 60 101 77 142] 8 | Bellary a a 9 | Kurnool... aoe na a3 10 | Chingleput........ ae a ee 11 | North Arcot...... a 7 4 1 1 31 12 | South Arcot....... “0 1 4 28 71 3 13 | Tanjore... 658}... 489}... 308 312 14 | Trichinopoly...... 7 20]... er 15 | Madura............. 39,572} 51,251] 39,890] 53,630) 16,266] 21,971| 36,444 16 | Tinnevelly......... 6,821] 8,495) 6,777] 8,406] 7,492] 9,046] 47,580 17 | Coimbatore........ 1,819} 3,612) 1,610} 3,380 1,714} 2,948 897 18 Salem av aines see] 6,529 10,073 6,174) 8,980 4,881] 7,417 611 19 | Canara... ay a oa 20 | Malabar... | ce as tee see on 21 | Madras...erel oe aay bee ons e Total... 70,719(1,19,495! 71,618|1,22,068| 61,121| 93,628 1,04,731 Districts of the Madras Presidency, &e.—(Continued.) Lanps. 1857-58, 1858-59, 1859-60, 1860-61, " Assess- Extent. Assess- | Extent. | Assess- | Extent. | Assess- | Extent. | Assess- ment. ment. ment. ment. ment. Rupees.| Acres. Rupees. | Acres. /Rupees.; Acres. (Rupees.| Acres. Rupees. 3,261 2,174 4,797 1,427| 3,164 1,124 | . 3,057) .1,645| 4,194 31,455 4,363 32,240 3,998 | 28,949 on 29,096| 3,473) 27,040 jodvy. 8,140 3,436 8,841 2,890| 7,506 } 5,657 | 12,682) 6,761| 10,970 284 1,151 621 1,303 907 |> Kist. } 1,278 656] 1,111 475 7,700 8,243 7,052 8,224) 7,780 8,933 7,509| 8,865) 7,945 70 85 79 25 56}. 31 73 . 5 ove on ow o ave . a oe 43 on ss ry one . 60,313 36,719 50,665 | 39,079| 53,193) 38,449 53,887| 43,165) 62,020 58,561 69,151 73,428 | 56,022] 69,648) 52,806 | 56,200) 49,168) 49,309 1,846 897 1,846 2,243| 3,538 2,301 3,730} 1,535) 2,809 1,366 4,279 7,A01 1,998| 4,207 5,019 7,186| 5,134) 7,467 a8 ase oe on ae oe oo wee ae oe a6 os on bee oe 1,63,001 | 1,80,482 | 1,86,870 |1,17,209]1,68,948| 1,21,170 |1,74,076|1,19,857 aml vill SraTemEnT showing the Cultivation of Cotton in the r To 1853-54, 1854-55. 1855-56. 1856- DISTRICTS. Extent. pegees Extent. ae Extent. Aaa: Extent. Acres. | Rupees.| Acres. | Rupees. | Acres. | Rupees.| Acres. 1) Ganjam.......... 3,923 5,667| 2,645 4,436| 6,178} 8,810] 4,698 2/ Vizagapatam...| 5,304) 35,316] 6,010) 85,033] 5,104) 35,093] 5,109 3 | Rajahmundry 4,904) 11,257} 8,921) 19,651] 8,224) 17,352} 7,762 4) Masulipatam... 7,814 8,881) 9,454) 9,524) 9,022 - 6 | Guntoor........ 97,345 | 1,40,474| 89,616) 1,35,043|1,05,470|1,49,657| 97,163 6 | Nellore........... 11,230; 14,068] 13,696] 165,405) 14,178} 13,781) 14,126 7 | Cuddapah.......] 67,629} 1,02,261] 75,112 1,13,197| 65,908] 95,898} 75,801 8 | Bellary ......... 2,18,654) 2,75,013| 1,686,840] 2,14,254/1,24,108| 1,61,868|2,60,577 9 | Kurnool.......... 1,07,098] 84,819]1,04,459] 84,176] 1,00,237] 75,4011,16,408 10 | Chingleput..... ane 7 2 8 1 11 | North Arcot...| ... wis 28 7 41 74 66 12 | South Arcot....| 1,831 5,016] 2,228 4,327] 4,903) 10,639] 3,185 13 | Tanjore...........] 4,443} 6,106) 3,259] 3,957] 3,077| 3,805| 2,969 14) Trichinopoly...] 5,997; 9,042] 6,099] 9,932 5,227] 8,017/ 8,070 15 | Madura...... «++ | 81,056] 1,25,118] 79,151) 1,25,390 52,016] 87,748] 69,972 16 | Tinmevelly....... 1,383,640) 1,19,508/1,34,634 1,21,751|1,25,038| 1,16,755| 1,61,035 17 | Coimbatore..... |1,13,919 1,81/343 1,15,527) 1,76,985 1,385,920) 1,565,414] 91,053 18 | Salem............. 13,908] 21,743] 13,799} 20,932] 10,491] 16,004] 11,900 19 one tee 20 tee 21 iis aa of Total......18,65,881(11,35,32018,29,698 10,92,421 |7,74,57519,64,798 | 9, 38,027 Districts of the Madras Presidency, &c.—(Continued.) TAL. 67. 1857-58, 1858-59, 1859-60, 1860-61, Astect Extent. mance Extent. panes Extent. Biteees Extent. ee Rupees. Acres. | Rupees. | Acres. | Rupees.| Acres. Rupees. | Acres. | Rupees. 7,546) 4,997 8,651 4,086) 6,646) 4,769 8,525 4,678 7,718 87,014) 5,414] 87,671} 5,110] 34,435] 6,786 35,146 4,794) 33,177 18,035] ° 6,513} 15,068] 6,613} 13,831 $2746 24,151} 12,657) 20,517 10,414} 7,686) 7,107 9,727 9,677 | >) Kist. 1,43,763]1,02,835| 1,51,361| 1,198,318] 1,78,006 piste shape dente | ayn 15,922) 11,106] 10,839 11,975] 12,992) 13,203 12,760| 13,729) 13,806 1,17,487| 64,012] 1,00,262| 36,712| 56,289] 38,367 53,998] 25,920] 31,420 4,06,011|2,08,139| 2,50,183] 2,42,299| 2,69,360| 2,85,486 | 2,98,316| 2,82,673) 2,965,344 87,846 1,01,071| 82,401} 1,65,393] 1,60,231} 1,652,325 | 1,31,294] 1,832,553) 1,28,183 3 wee os as os one ane wee 146 67 136 54) = 100 65 120 4 7 5,802) 18,316] 43,727] 18,176) 42,090) 33,198 75,201! 34,911| 78,107 8,609] 2,444 8,671) 1,756| 2,632 1,036 1,356 576 793 12,115) 5,430 9,000 5,873} 10,084} 5,796 9,483 6,634 10,228 1,09,763| 74,583] 1,21,752] 76,818) 1,22,037| 77,159 | 1,26,143| 81,250] 1,32,751 1,58,747|1,94,850| 1,90,958) 1,94,890) 1,91,085] 1,84,825 | 1,74,951| 1,988,342) 1,81,615 1,00,832) 1,183,663) 1,29,125| 1,31,711| 1,49,769 1,20,086 | 1,52,254) 1,382,233) 1,42,639 19,489| 16,054] 25,929} 13,212] 22,229! 16,214 | 22,470) 16,707) 24,042 wes es oe aa a0 4 6 4 6 12,54,55419,32,180!11,87,840/ 10,41,723 |12,81,493'10,76,642 | 13,22,770|10,60,557 12,86,305 W. HUDLESTON, Secretary Board of Revenue. II. Statement showing the Average Assessment per Acre of Dry Lands in each District of the Presidency, prepared from the Settlement Returns for 1859-60. wo, Distt seoneet | Php mu Rs. | As. | P. || £ |e | @ L | Gamjam veseccsescceesestereeeeereen sessesnetecee| 2] 8 | 8%] O | 2 | 5% 2 | Vizagapatam ...ssscccssesccssesceserstseeneee 3] 15 | 9] OF 7 | 1g 3 | Godavery District .:......cccsscersesseeee| 2 | 18) 11] O} 6 | 8% 4 | Kristna District ......... sasvitavetgsxs tome? LL] 77 8) OF 2 | Ue 5 | Nellore ou... discs aetabodscvenesvenaweaarversintse 1] 6! 4]/ O} 2] 9 6) | CUGRPAL wiser cerecrsiawerssssicetcennvteestens Oo; 11] 10|/ O} 1] 5% 9 BOM aI: ccctvcass saaseciasicas idosetnazasesseveeA tock 0; 10; 5] O} 1] 3 8 | Kuro ..cccnsccssecosessssserssescssseeestsenees 0} 15,10 }) O} 1 | 113 9 | Madras ..... sFiidisebdsvinaueweasaey a bvavesoeesesnes 1] 8} o}] Of] 37] 0 AD | North Aretisssssscocesoaseansnseancisapsorsainage 1); 6; 91} OF 2] 103 11 | South Arcot... 1/15; 4)/ Oo; 3; 12 | Tanjore .. 1 2 7 o| 2 33 13 | Trichinopoly.. 1/13) 0 0} 3{ 4% 14 | Madura .. 1 5 6 0 2 8} 15 | Tinnevelly.. 0;}13] 0 Oo} 1) 4 16 | Coimbatore .. O; 14] 6]| O] 1] 93 17 1 4 8 0 2 7 * The Government assessment on the three Districts of Ganjam, Vizagapatam, and Godavery, does not include the Zemindaries, which constitute in Ganjam and 2 isncapakan the largest, and in the Godavery a very large, part of the istrict. xii Te AVERAGE PRICE AT WHICH IT IS SOLD BY THE RYoTS. Average price of| Cotton freed DistRicrs. eran With Advances. | Without Advances. or marts of the “ustriet. | Cleaned | Uncleaned| Cleaned |Unclean- Cottun. Cotton. Cottun. |ed Cotton £3d £8 alin ad j£ 8 da. th ad. ‘ Per 500 Ibs.| ...ceceeeees vesaeds — |! ativnnaie i setae I doneeests fi Nellore........ - Per 25lbs.}) 0 4 1§ 039/01 0 |0 4 24 0 15 Per 500 Ibs. 219 0 213 131018 44 ;217 73 |0150 Guntoor...... (Kristna) (Per 25lbs.| 0 2118 |0 2 72/0 0 8 |0 2108310 09 Per 500 lbs. 460 310 0j1 2 0 |318 0 j1 40 Cuddapah... Per 25 Ibs.| 0 4 333 /0 3 6/0 1 1ys5/0 3 10330 1 243 Kurnool...... Per 25lbs.| 6 3 3g j0 3 23'0 0 93 |0 3 4 [0 092 Bellary ...... Per 25 lbs) © 2 15 10 2 82) wane 0 24! caw MEGAMI vec Per 28108) scnseovens wetees ectisiie 0140 a 816,'5 lbs., or aboutls. lid. per 25 lbs, Per 500 Ibs.| 411 83 oe TL OR | cveceseee 2 Coimbatore..f i 8 ‘ eee Per 26lbs.J 0 4 7 Oh E38 Yh vecastaseec jf Seeenies . : § Per 600 Ibs.| £4145. to £5)4 0 0/1 2 0 (414 0 |1 4083 Tinnevelly- (Per 26 Ibs. |4s.81 3d. to 53.0 4 00 1 13,(0 4 s43lo 12° xiii (Uncleaned.) EXTENT OF LAND IN ACRES. . Eapense ot convey i pied vee anc tl ne t erage Cost of Cleaning. port of chipment ace acre. nee 2 bl for every ten miles. inden wide. Capableof : tivation. Ribas £s a £a da, 111 lbs. 113 02. es Sear oO Ss (Uncleaned.) | °% { (Uncleaned.) 0 0 Os 7 06 4 L 233 Ibs. 2 o2. 9 ewe 04 ais { ucleancd,) 47,299 | 102,646 { GGactested) 0 0 26 al 41 ‘ bi 4 d | 200 Ib: y bandy an 3. 03 4 189 (Uncleaned.) 79,562 219,587 by bullocks. f 60 2 0 01014 _(Uncleaned.) sz 001 13 112 Ibs. 8 oz. ; f (Uncleaned.) 00 N16 (Uncleaned.) 19,881 76,481 0 0 5 019 Vere to Coompta. (Cleaned. ) 260,000 400,000 0 = 104 F 060 “ ue 12 3% a 60,747 er Ss. Of) | * s (Uncleaned.. including i dleaned cotton, or oe Ramnad about 6d, per 25/ poy eae eae Th and She- Ibs.; but this is| ey Oo. Tad pee vagunga. more than met by|52°T), OF intino. the value of the). Heo seed ‘ 0 0 013 0 sdedtastpecnan - 97,830 not ee 138 13 110 Ibs. | oe a OO Ars: 00 fis { (Gncleanea.) peeve 010 0 012 0, 76 Ibs. (Cleaned.)| 122,301 | 137,301 00 6 00 71% 300 Ibs. xiv IV. Statement of Cotton Exported from the several ports of the Madras Presidency to Foreign and Indian Ports. From 1847-48 to 1860-61. 1847-48, Quantity in Ibs. Value in. Rs. 1. Fort St. GEorcGE to L 2. RAJAMMUNDRY to S. TANJORE to 2 : 4, TINNEVELLY to ” ” ” oy 6, MALABAR to United Kingdom. Ceylon. China. France. Penang, Malacca. Indian French Ports... Ceylon iii tices: Penang, p and Mab CCA aseinictisicanaies sens United Kingdom. Ceylon.... ludian French Ports TTAVANCOLE.. eee eeeeseees United Kingdom Maldive Islands Bombay..... ‘Travancore Total...... 1,993,712 531,664 1,544,144 180,256 256,368 4,457,600 » 9,841 10,919° 11,069 960,900 4,066,450 4,275 5,193,766 193,134 1,531 16,702 143,434, 8,536 368,337 215,321 57,420 166,768 129 y 14,068 17,279 470,985 554 627 16 210 1,407 XV is ‘. Quantity in | Val 1847-48,—Continued. ee uue in 6. Canara to Bombay 14,345,052 | 1,805,629 ” Tavancore... 59,820 4,432 Total...... 14,404,372 | 1,810,061 1848-49, Quantity in value in 1, Fort St. GEORGE 600,196 63,193 ” 359,080 35,938 a 446,778 | 50,622 ” 25,209 2,566 sy Tudian French Ports. 186,479 14,260 Total...... | 1,517,742 166,579 2, MASULIPATAM to Bengal .............64 Total...... | 31,049 2,298 3. TINNEVELLY to 2,190,239 306,641 . 6,562 919 ” Chi i 7,442,463 1,041,945 Taian ‘French Ports... 414,075 67,971 Total...... | 10,053 339 | 1,407,476 4, MALABAR to United Kingdom.. ak 343,293 70,603 5 Maldive Islands. : 964 194 i Mauritius and Bourbon. 1,180 243 vi 1,096,659 225,053 ss 75,990 - 11,943 Total...... 1,518,086 308,036 5, CANARA 4,908,486 390,338 » 222 1,409 Total...... 4,928,708 391,747 Xvi id Suet 1849-50, ae) . ; i i ‘ 2,718,488 | 256,892 1. Fort = GEORGE t0 Uiited Riga. *591'32 5 47,963 ” France....... 4 15,000 1,850 i «a = ic ear s {| 117,900 | 10,32 » 0 Bengal.ssccce 1,640,700 | 153,398 e 431,072 38,173 Total...... | 5,514,485 508,082 2. RAJAHMUNDRY to Bengal... Total...... | 24,380 | 1,821 3, MASULIPATAM to Bengal....... vecees. LOtalyesses | 60,992 | 4,548 4, SOUTH ARCOT to United Kingdom. Total... | 210,000 | 29,400 5. TANJORE to Penang, Erieabere, and Malacca ...ssccsscorecceees 11,500 1,646 taibentee cia aeks G6. MaDURA to Ceylon............ Total... | 57,604 | 12,104 7. TINNEVELLY to United Kingdom. | 1,988,125 208,338 3 Ceylon. 150,425 21,059 35 China... » [| 7,085,143 991,920 Total... | 9,223,693 | 1,221,317 fe ee ey 8. MaLaBaR to United Kingdom. 109,410 =, Maldive Islands... i 20 | se a Mauritius and Bourbon... 9,340 1,561 a Bombay. . 231,590 47,632 Pe Travancore. 24,080 3,076 Total...... 875,140 74,647 9. CANARA to Bombay... Total... 21,949,074 | 2,259,650 XVil Quantity in | Value in 1850-51, Ibe. Be. 1, Fort St. GzorGE to United Kingdom....... sense 5,010,290 575,144, ” China... ... | 6,426,850 661,501 ie 255,900 38,367 e 299,400 32,670 1,363,500 171,425 #s 182,462 22,301 Total...... 12,538,402 1,491,408 2. MasvLIPATAM to Bengal ...............Total...... 43,728 4,189 3. TINNEVELLY 510,529 2 91,134 » 521,990 ” Total... 8,054,664 | 1,127,653 4, MALABAR to United Kingdom... 380,960 77,749 ss Maldive Islands .. 640 123 os Mauritius and Bow 7,600 1,571 a Bombay... 177,920 36,314 - Travanco! 14,231 2,159 Total..... 581,350 117,916 5. CANARA 2,216 270 % Bombay 23,960,244 | 3,081,354 Total...... 23,970,480 | 3,081,624 1851-52, Suaniiy in. vere i 1, Fort St. GEorGE to United Kingdom............... 1,804,950 196,637 ae China..... 3,672,203 367,963 se France... Sey 48, 5,709 Penang, Singapore, and if Malacca -- | 1,331,100 145,457 es Bengal..............5 900,800 99,086 Indian French Ports... 300,507 30,505 Total...... | 8,057,560 | 845,357 2. MAsULIPATAM to Bengal .. see Total..ooee 66,878 4,550 XVili 1851-52,—Continued, ei ene 3. TINNEVELLY to -United Kingdom 2,476,450 346,703 ” Ceylon... 361,834 50, 857 2» te a 6,980,950 977, 333 » Penang, Singapore, and ang ENE 237,700 33,278 » Bomba‘ 32,100 4,494 os Indian French Ports... 45,000 6,300 Total...... 10,134,034 1,418,765 Fen it Ts 4, MALABAR to United Kingdom... 350,980 72,064 ay Maldive Islands.. 730 138 59 Mauritius and Bourbon. 6,300 1,296 55 Bombay... 929,740 191,215 is Travancore 29,092 3,570 Total...... 1,316,842 268,283 + 6. CANARA 22,323 2,126 » 15,767,616 1,496,136 15,793,988 1,498,262 Quantity i Value it 1852-53, ihe D 1, Fort 8t. GEoRGE to United Kingdom............... 11,184,613 | 1,140,580 ‘8 Win acs pvemnevevectsseanses secs ye 3,251,700 i a Penang, pingapore, and Malacca. ; 344,575 33,982 5 834,423 90,887 if 604,823 59,371 Total...... 16,220,134 | 1,599,661 2, VIZAGAPATAM to United Kingdom.. 13,577 1,237 z Bengal... 7035 “640 20,612 1,877 8. i i : Sovura ARcor to United Kingdom........00... 66,000 9,240 RIX 53. — i Quantity in | Value in 1852-53.—Continued. any ne 4, TINNEVELLY to United Kingdom. 4,863,007 680,821 Ceylon. 1 "266,875 177,362 9 9,774,402 | 1,370,437 5 305,300 42,714 ‘s Bomba; 44,350 6,209 ss Indian 45,112 6,300 Total...... | 16,299,046 | 2,283,843 5. MALABAR to United Kingdom... 448,000 86,839 ss America.......... 31,944 6,871 » Maldive Islands... 1,440 237 2 Mauritius and Bourbon... 1,512 296 ” 2,352,000 420,167 » 880 145 ” 65,200 9,010 Yotal...... 2,893,976 523,565 6. CANARA to Arabian Guif.............. 34,272 8,404 Pe Bombay ...... 40,511,917 | 4,241,369 on Travancore 22,04; 2,112 Total...... 40,568,230 | 4,246,885 1853-54, Quantity in | Value in Ibs. Rs. 1, Fort St.GzorGE to United Kingdom............... 4,009,526 465,991 sb Penang, RInEMDOre, and 146,100 17,464 i 323,200 34,457 ” 207,300 20,007 Total...... 4,686,126 637,919 2, TINNEVELLY to United Kingdom. 4,471,850 626,059 ” Ceylon... 693,406 96,077 5 China...... 2 480, 400 347,256 3 Indian Frenc 59,250 8, Total...... 7,704,908 | 1,077,687 « . Quantity in | Value in 1853-54.—Continued. lbs. Rs, 3. MALABAR to United Kingdom... sr oe és Arabian Gulf. e 20,023 3 Germany....... ed Oe 7 tae Islands... 1,457°41 0 299,477 2 We 2,440 372 is Concan. 3 202 Cutch... 980 oe i 1,365 146 ” Indian French Ports. 3 7159 7 Vravancore. 63,420 3 Total...... 1,850,121 | 374,091 60,428 5,071 Sc 17,024,259 | 1,790,614 17,084,687 | 1,795,685 i Quantity in Value in 1854-55, bas ae 1. Forr $8t.Gror@E to United Kingdom............... 1,602,505 157,219 a Penang, Singapore, and Jee 1,081,000 113,973 fa 752,250 82,861 3 30,000 4,800 ” 41,100 4,768 Total...... | 3,506,855 | 363,621 2. TINNEVELLY to United Kingdom.. 6,351,930 877,604 4a Ceylon... 1,038,977 145,457 fe China.. 1,711,500 234,610 3 Penang, Malacca. 985,500 137,970 ” Bombay....... 37,500 5,260 fy Indian French Ports.. 217,125 30,398 5s. Travancore.. 4 67 Total...... 1,436,356 XX1 — i tity in | Value in 18654-55.—Continued. patna we 3. MaLaBaR to United Kingdom......... 51,600 10,085 ” France............... 32,400 664 ss Maldive Islands. 460 95 3 Bombay.... 5,880 1,209 a Concan... 2,200 453 » TYAVANCOVE...... ccc sseeeeereeee 3 381,688 5,511 Total. 124,228 24,017 4, CANARA > 26,439 2,287 » 45,202 3,937 ” 12,804,666 1,289,207 Total...... | 12,875,307 | 1,296,431 a] Quantity i Value i 1855 56. uantity in Tue in 1. Fort St.Grorez to United Kingdom.. 1,810,600 | 163,486 » 54,000 000 ‘i 571,425 54,752 a 215,900 30,084 2,651,925 254,322 2, TINNEVELLY to United Kingdom.. 2,848,516 398,804 ” Ceylon 1,200,146 168,126 » Penang, Malay 480,607 67,284 is Bombay.... ‘ 430,200 60,228 ” TYAVANCOLCre ec ccssssesscerereee 250 35 * Total...... 4,959,719 694,477 3. MALABAR * to United Kingdom.. 138,272 26,706 ” Ceylon... 46,800 é 5 France.. 1,800 370 5 Maldive Islands. 1,250 257 ao Bombay...... 352,120 72,418 i Travancore.. I 1,348 Total...... 542,202 108,799 xxii 1855-56.—Continued. Quantity dn) Value 2 4. CANARA to Arabian Gulf. 1,148 120 i Bombay .. 12,858,356 | 1,463,611 » Goa... 114 22, Total...... 12,859,618 | 1,463,753 Quantity in Value in ApoE OF ibs. Rs. 1. Fort 8t. GEORGE to ured sts Lees Tasaedaete' 6,190,844 722,006 » France.. 5,999 720 ” Hamburg .. 69,000 8,625 » Penang, Malacca. 3,299 550 ” Bengal 563,500 78,098 Total...... 6,832,642 809,999 2. TINNEVELLY to 13,287,731 | 1,865,952 5 2,404,200 336,588 5 1,003,200 140,448 33 one sie 240,000 33,600 5 Penang, and Malacca. eave 229,500 32,130 “ i 127,125 17,797 Total...... 17,291,756 2,426,515 3, MALABAR to United Kingdom............... 118,727 22,842 49 Arabian Gulf..... . 410 ee Maldive Islands. ‘ 436 74, » Bombay...... z 1,065,218 216,358 5 i 982 191 ” 5,920 1,218 Total... 1,191,693 240,765 4, CANARA to Bombay... 28,671,974 | 3,745,007 XX111 1857-58. Quantity in | Valuein Ibs. Ra. 1. Fort St. GEorGE to United Kingdom. 5,533,100 707,188 ” 1,655,300 219,439 ” 565,500 6,978 . ; 102,300 | 16,243 ” 1,887,508 267,145 Total...... 9,233,708 | 1,216,993 2, VIZAGAPATAM to Bengal............ Wes eenieieeeecea hi 49,929 3,110 8. RasAHMUNDRY to United Kingdom............... 202,800 26,734 35 France.... 5,100 888 os Bengal. 18,456 2.128 Total...... 226,356 29,750 4, MASULIPATAM to Bengal...........4 Total...... | 31,500 | 3,690 5. NELLORE to Bengal.........ccccesescesseeee ‘ | 24,887 | 2,716 6. TINNEVELLY to 4,646,846 650,558 Pe 1,928,503 269,990 ”» 651,600 91,224 ” 2,586,000 362,040 ” 351,000 49,140 ” 425,000 59,500 ” Penang, Singapore, and Malacca.....ccsescesereeeeee 48,902 6,846 $i Indian French Ports.. 525,390 73,542 » TYAVANCOLE......ccesceeereerneeeee 696,000 97,440 Total...... 11,859,239 1,660,280 7. MALABAR 98,293 19,658 ” 14,194 2,838 ” 164 33 147,282 29,438 ” 305 461 Total...... 262,237 52,423 ———— XXIV 1857-58.—Continued. Quantity bey, Vee 8. CANARA to United Kingdom... 862,226 134,542 » Bombay. 32,474, '317 | 8,668,220 33,336,543 | 5,802,762 Quantity in | Value i 1858-59, Me ne 1. Fort St. GEORGE to ae ingdom 33,000 5,340 o SB@nGalbseccavesscceccs 5,528,096 957,321 » 57,300 9,172 Total...... 5,618,396 971,833 2. VIZAGAPATAM 3, RAJAHMUNDRY 29 4, TINNEVELLY to United Kingdom.. ” Ceylon... 5 China... ss France ” Bengal... ” Indian French Ports .. i os TYAVANCOLE w...s.eeseeeeeeeneeeeee Total...... 6, MALABAR to United Kingdom.. as Maldive Islands ay Bombay. Concan... ” ” 50,109 96,600 6,177,550 1,634,800 3,596,400 2,386,600 351,600 221536 19,250 14,387,636 14,105 328 732,690 2,467 5,923 755,512 46,500 . 7,668 7,014 2,014,465 2,820 66 146,558 404 1,184 151,120 XXV . a Quantity in | Value i 1858-59.—Continued. Ibe ae 6. CANARA to United Kingdom.. 161,198 26,063 5 ian Gulf. 1,894 0S ai Bombay... 17,571,060 | 2,999,401 Total...... 17,734,152 .| 2,965,777 | 1859-60. Quantity in | Value in Ibs. Rs. 1. Fort 8t. GEORGE to United Kingdom. ‘2. VIZAGAPATAM 3. GODAVERY 4, KRISTNA 5. NELLORE 6. TINNEVELLY 8, CANABA to to to to to to 3,104,368 456,886 465,600 63,007 92,700 16,108 4,136,900 725,056 160,800 25,428 Total...... | 7,960,368 | 1,286,485 Bengal ..........6 Total...... | 40,758 | 7,832, France............. Total...... | 3,000 | 360 Bengal............. Total...... | 198,670 | 15,913 Beugal....... soe Total...... | 21,075 | 2,300 United Kingdom... 18,532,022 | 1,901,824 Ceylon. 75) 907,977 127,834 1,120,516 203,034 1,074,444 150,766 785,509 110,040 114,546 16,117 Total...... 18,562,546 | 2,743,801 United Kingdom... 26,450 4,486 Maldive Islands . 164 |. 26 Bombay... 2,424,141 484,710 Travancore. 10,857 2,171 Total...... | 2,461,612 491,393 Bombay.... Total.. 33,234,408 | 5,049,051 3XV1 tity i Value in 1860-61. Shanuty in Ee 1. Fort St. GEORGE to pe Kingdom ... 6,065,919 774,814 ” Chi 768,800 103,953 ” ai 983,700 106,812 ” and ia 36,000 4,800 ss 3,190,610 421,577 2 Chittagong. 8,725 *e87 ” Indian French Ports. 118,500 14,317 Total...... 11,172,254 1,426,960 2. Gangam to Bengal.............. Total... | 18,320 | 2,290 3. VIZAGAPATAM to Bengal.............. Total...... | 108,756 | 12,738 4, RAJAHMUNDRY to United Kingdom............... 40,794 4,079 ai France. - 52,512 5,302 . as Beugal.... 293,398 28,173 a5 Indian French Ports. ee 17, 1,808 35 Moulmein qu... cceeeeeseeeees 15 Total...... 404,227 39,377 5. MASuLIpaTam to Bengal..........0 Total...... 458,070 36,677 6, TINNEVELLY to 7,266,585 | 1,019,650 si 1,013,738 142,247 B 5,023,415 704,886 eg 59,864 8,400 i 26,342 3,696 Total...... 13,389,944 | 1,878,879 7, MALABAR to United Kingdom. 159,984 28,072 a Maldive Islands........ 784 105 a Mauritius and Bourbon.. 5,922 948 a Bombay ....-scceccesesssererseeces 2,073,439 425,295 Total... 2,240,129 454,420 8, CANARA to Bombay..... 51,029,068 | 7,439,822 si Goad... s312 48 Total... 51,030,380 | 7,489,870 XXVIL y.* No. 1.—Srarement showing the Increase in the Cultivation of Cotton in the United States. oO eee 1846-6 .. 2,100,687 .. 422,597 1846-7 .. 1,778,651 .. 427,967 1847-8 .. 2,347,684 .. 581,772 1848-9 .. 2,728,896 .. 518,039 1849-50 .. 2,096,706 .. 487,769 1850-51 .. 2,855,257 .. 404,108 1861-52 .. 3,015,029 .. 603,029 1852-53 .. 3,262,882 .. 671,009 1858-54 .. 2,930,027 .. 610,571 1854-55 .. 2,847,389 .. 693,584 1855-56 .. 3,627,845 .. 652,739 1856-57 .. 2,939,619 .. 702,138 1857-58 .. 3,113,962 .. 595,562 1858-59 .. 8,861,081 .. 760,218 1859-60 .. 4,825,924 .. 810,348 1860-61 .. 3,866,000 .. 843,740 The shipping season in America commences from the Ist September, and the above tables are made up from 1st September to 31st August. * For the data furnished in this Usa of the Appendix, the compiler is in- debted to R. 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METEOROLOGICAL AVERAGES Deduced from twenty years observations at the Madras Observatory. piv eo testy: | pee | Seen: | ene ie | anaat | Gale duced to 22°, | rature. |mometer.| Point. ra Fall. Tanuaryoones... .| 29997 | 753 | 695 | 66 | 76 | 0-96 February... 29-970 veo | zoo | eso | 75 | os Marebeessssesscsseseee 29'903 see | 746 | 720 76 | 0-42 ADpTileccscecccccsssssees 29°825 a2 | 780 | 756 76 | 0-67 MaYosseosssssssssssssere 29°729 864 | 785 | 755 7 | 236 Tumeveessseseesssssssees avers =| 865 | 771 | 733 66 | 1-73 TULY seeseescssstessseee . | 29-716 sas | ves | 731 69 | 360 AUBUSt ececcsssseeee 29-751 axe | vee | 737 | 72 | 497 September........... 29°779 83°3 76°6 73°9 74 454 October. age49 | soe | 759 | 740 | gl | 1197 November... 29°92 776 | 725 | 702 79 «| 12-73 eiawbar to 29°97 we | 702 | es | 77 | 573 Ammual..ccccces “) 29-844 sls | 747 | 71:9 75 | 48-63 The preceding table contains the mean or average results of a series of hourly observations continued for twenty years, viz., from 1841 to 1861. The cistern of the Baro- meter is twenty-seven feet above the mean sea level. It appears upon inspection of the column of atmospheric pres- sure, that after being duly corrected to the usual standard temperature of 82° Fahrenheit, the Barometer reads highest XXzLi in January, and lowest in June; which are respectively the coolest and hottest months in the year. As at all other tropical stations, the diurnal variations of the Barometer are here found to be so regular in their recurrence, that there are very few days in the year on which the atmospheric tides are not plainly discernible. The highest readings occur about 93 a.m. The mercury then commences falling, and arrives at its lowest minimum a little before 4 p.m. The secondary maximum and minimum occur during the night, at 10 p.m. and 34 a. m. respectively, but are far less marked than those observed during the day. The greatest daily range occurs in March, and the least in December. The mean temperature, although somewhat higher at Madras than at many other parts of the Presidency, is subject to such small changes, that the severe extremes which else- where prove so prejudicial to health are never experienced. The Dew Point, or Temperature at which rain would begin to fall if the air were suddenly cooled down thereto, does not rise and fall conformably to the temperature ; for though its greatest depression below the Dry Bulb (18°:2), occurs during the hottest month, June, the least ditference (6° 6) falls in October, when the temperature nearly agrees with the average of the whole year. The per-centage of Humidity changes but slightly; the average amount of aqueous vapour in the atmosphere being exactly three- fourths of the whole quantity sustainable thereby. The average Rain-fall is deduced from observations extendin over a period of fifty-two years, viz., from 1804 to 1807, and again from 1813 to 1860. The dryest year on record was 1832, when only 18% inches of rain were collected: the greatest quantity fell in 1827, when nearly 89 inches were recorded. In October, 1857, not less than 372 inches fell; while no shower occurred throughout the first five months of 1860. By summing up separate portions of this column, it will be found, that under ordinary circumstances only about a tenth part of the year’s rain falls during the first five months, but a full half at the setting in of the N. E. Mon- soon, in October and November. It is also worthy of re- mark, that, whereas in Europe a rain gauge placed on the ground invariably collects more than one elevated some XXXilL forty or fifty feet, in India the case is reversed. The differ- ence is slight, but the upper gauge receives more than the lower one. As regards the Wind nothing very definite can yet be pronounced, in consequence of the imperfect instrumental registration employed, which has rendered the past observ- ations scarcely worthy of reduction. It is however certain that the prevalent notion as to the force of the wind in the tropics is a vastly exaggerated one, and that the daily average of pressure or velocity is much less than in England. The general laws as to direction are so strongly marked as to be evident to the most casual observer of natural phenomena. The north-east monsoon, heralded by heavy rain, sets in about the end of October, and blows pretty steadily, but not strongly except during ‘accidental gales, until February. South and south-east winds prevail from then until May, in which month some of the most violent storms on record have occurred, The long but mild four months’ reign of the South-west monsoon then becomes fairly established. The scorching westerly or land winds, which blow in the fore- noon in May, are relieved by a refreshing sea breeze, which, commencing about noon, continues until evening. The gene- ral tendency of the wind when changing, is, to veer round in a direct order, i. e. following the course of the Sun, or E.S. W. N. E. During rough or unsettled weather this order is reversed, being retrogade, or H. N. W. 8. E.; and frequent instances might be adduced, when with calm fine weather at Madras, rain and stormy weather within one or two hundred miles distance, has been plainly indicated, by no other mark than a retrogade change in the direction of the wind. N. RB. POGSON, Government Astronomer. XXXIV VII. BEING A BRIEF REPORT UPON THE COTTON EXHIBITED AT THE MADRAS EXHIBITION OF 1859. BY HOWARD B. MONTGOMERY, M.D., &c., REPORTER ON FIBRES. Ar the request of Mr. Wheeler, and under the sanction. of the Hon’ble Mr. Morehead, President of the Exhibition Committee, I have drawn up the following abstract from the remarks on the Cotton Fibres examined by me as Reporter on the Fibres exhibited at the Madras Exhibition of 1859. The objects I purpose here displaying are :— (1.) The place of production of each specimen ; (2.) The name of the Exhibitor ; (3.) The quality of each specimen as to colour, strength, lustre, general preparation, and suitability for ex- port to England or elsewhere. These appear to be the items which are of the greatest interest in connection with Mr. Wheeler’s labours, and I defer to a future opportunity other points of inquiry in con- nection with the general topic of Cotton Cultivation in this Presidency. I may premise that at the Exhibition of 1859 there were 42 Exhibitors who furnished 53 specimens of Cotton, as will be seen by the following tabular statements, in the prepar- ation of which I was much assisted by my friend Dr. Hunt- er, Superintendent of the School of Arts. It will be observed however that in the following tables there are three specimens of Silk Cotton alluded to which do not properly come under further review at present. They appear only in consequence of their being included in the printed Catalogues of the Exhibition under the heading Gossypium Species. In them they were numbered 6470— 6497 and 6498. XXXV *qr0dx9 Toy sazid 4S] 94} pauryyqgo pus “og pus Joost sissoyy Aq uMOIS wOWOD WNpAeT “serpeyy 79 ‘pouvopo yaa ‘ojdeys Sao] ‘erqy ouy ygos ‘pood AraA |“ wareg ft teeeseereres cee s nog enuasay 66 sree eeeereececsce s «Too tunddog “uneTeg *y10dxe Joy 44 ‘paweato TEA ‘o[dvzs unrpeta ‘orqy Buoys ‘ysrey AYYSTS ‘pooy | -" weyeg | s+ +++ 7+ +++ + OQ puR saySTY “sIsso py “ bree e ee tee eee ee + saoog woqmog “mETBS : og “oc mapeg | cette tees + > og pue aoqosty “sresopy “+(qunbo)—azrag pug “ Fede eeneeees sees ee qonog doqgmog : “weTeg "ylodxe roy yy ‘poweayo Tes ‘e[de3s Sao, ‘erqy Faoys aug yjos ‘pood AtaA~| se umopeg fort ttt OD pure roost] “sasso_y *uon09 Uuoginog ‘syreMoy, “TAOIS FOLYST. “SOPIELY PUL ONION ‘usuttoedg | (dg ‘umidisson) NOLLOO JO SHUMIA AHL NO LYOdaY S AUTKODINON “8a *(Apuvo sod sy ¢) “oO pue youqyng “ry ‘sussoyy Aq panes) repdumay, ureydeg Aq pamnqiysip pees Wor yO14ysIp aq} Jo saarjyeny Aq uMos8 aow st pue ‘repdoray, urejden £q yorystp yndepsuryg oy} Fut peonpoyUL svar 109}0D SIY—"pees Wer -jdiSq_ Woy UMOIS W0}}0 Powe] ST SITY, XXXVL “aed IST ‘qndoysurqg “qx0dx0 x03 44 ‘opdeys Buoy ‘orqy yos ‘Suoxs ‘ug ‘uoyog weydiSqy pouesyo ATTHFMVEg qndeSuryy | ccc tt * aepduey, ureydrQ “ pote renee nese tes suonog Ayredmeyy "ya0dxe roy sqndosury9 avis 1g v UL jou ‘s[deys WIPE ‘arqg SuONs “qsIey ; ApySys aaouy you : dg ‘0yj09 pouvepo Ayuereprpuy gmodopSaryg Joc Mogg AE “shoUesIpuy 103300 ‘o10d de NT “yzodxe Joy 97e48 IY 8 UI you ‘oyduys yroys ‘arqy poymo “Buoys ‘ystey ‘W0j}09 peueepuy | atodenye | a Ta es ies ee ‘bsy SOT “0 ‘syVUIOY, uMoIS QOHISIC BOOTY PUL JOPGIYRA . ompods | i) (‘ponju00)—07 ‘NOLLOO JO SHAMIM FHL NO Laodau S AUTNONLNOM “UC ea XXXvVi11 rr sess + 103309. “q10dxe 10} 49 BON) qou ‘penvayoun ‘afdeys wunipem ‘ergy ysiey AN USNS @ . qnq $Zuoys ‘ouy Aqqesejoy ‘umouyim :dg ‘poop } “" 80H Herta eee eee es © QQqNTTMOD [BOOT “ tet ee eee se gnaag qyzm 103309 odomg | +aqyeys yueserd ut 310d -£podouryatry, -xo Joj 7G jou ‘peuvazoun ‘opdejs Suoy ‘orqy Suoys ‘gos ‘oug {0}30) weoleUTy ‘Ayqeqord ‘pooS Axa, | Mjodourouy | “ot ATepooyy eyfoqoviry ‘oziad 4s] oug pouteygo pte “op pus "ge ‘or sv aucos AyqugotgT Jayostg ‘sissep, Aq UMo1d u0z09 wnddog “sBlpey ‘ “410dxe 10} 44 ‘paueeyo Treas epdeys umrpeun ‘arqy Buoys ‘ysxey Ayysys ‘poop |“ MIG pT ‘** preog ontesoy (‘eztad ys7 oq} peureygo pue “on pue “GZ pun 1 ‘sont sy aus Ayqugoig jaqost sissep, Aq UMTS woy}09 woginog) “y10dx0 *seIpePL 10} 9g ‘pauvop Toa ‘efdeys Suoy ‘a1qy Suorys ‘oug ‘sos ‘pooS Araa jo { poredead Ayynyaxeo 07709 wognog |" Warrg | ret t TTT * prwog onueacy Il XXXVIIL *worqUaub a1QD.Inouory “spuesag Ur PUVMIOp yard UT 4OU ST “VUITD 0} qaodxo Joy J—pouvapo Tos ‘oydeys wunpoux ‘Zuo3ys Ajaye19p “WaTeg ye az1ad 487 oy} pauteiqo pus “on pue ‘|aoqast,g ‘sassoyg fq WMO0IS U0y0N TeeyxUeN - *SBIPCYL -our ‘a1gy papine ios euy “HoyoD UesxUeN pooS Sioa | mopeg Jc prod onuasayy 66 vere eter eee tees + snouasIpuy 103309 ‘eyeys sig} ut yz0d “ernpe yl “=xo log JY YOU :poweop you ‘ojdejs wmpeu ‘oxqy ‘paymo ‘Suorys ‘esreoo “ysreq AnuSys ‘uoy09 poog | “enpepE Po +++ goq}TMMLOD [v00T “u0y09 ATMO “poytodxe aq UStur “H0y}0 poos w :sMOI aTqnop UI pesueire oe sees e ee eres e ses goyog snowesIpuy pue aSiey pue payedorsde ore OA ‘spaes 9} “BINPeYL togy ayqziedes Apsve ‘aydeys Suoy ¢ pap pue 310138 ‘qsreq Apysys e1qy ‘peuvepoun 9ymH *(u0q}09 : “Yepuoopor)) “Puy “sox) Wosj Jo UoIyOH [Zerg soy | "MPRA | * fee eee eens hee s+ gauqrmm0g [800'T (‘toyJ09 snouestpuy) « ee Ayyead-esen00g “UUNISCURIZI A “sx0dx9 Toy JY jou ‘pouveyo jou ‘opdeys unrpeut ; aes / : forqy Suoms ysrey ‘woo Axunoco “uereyIpUy cunaSeaew, | 78 tts wnaBeuvtzt, Jo yeloy eae « “SYIVULOY, ae “UMS JOLUSTC. OPTZ.LY PUL OPOTEXT (‘ponuzqtt00)—ow ‘NOLLOO 40 SHUMIA FHL NO LaoOddu § AUAKOOLINOW “EC ‘ueutoadg | es XXXIX A t +410dxa JOY 03848 4g v ur jou foldejs wnrpem ‘oiqy Suo1s ‘ysrey Apysys ‘mmouy you ‘dg ‘03309 powveyo ApyuaregIpuy +++ + snonaSipuy woy09 yedeppug *q10dx9 10} oy¥}s 4G eB UL you fatdeys qx0ys ‘aiqy pepino ‘Suors ‘ysiey ‘x0}j09 peuvspouy (oz 429) ; “s10dxe 10} 49 ‘pateeyo Tea ‘opdeys Buoy ‘erqy Suoms ‘aug jos ‘poos A10A sayeys yas -oad uy y10dxa Joy 4 you ‘paweayo A[peq { a]deys Buoy ‘aiqy pop ‘Buoys ‘ouy Gyos ‘uoyjoQ AaquN0D pooH 3 “94048 quasard ut y10dxe 10} 4y qou ‘spaes wosy aeqy YSnoyy peuvayo ATpeq fopdeys q1oys ‘21qy Suoays ‘ysrey ‘uo}}09 ALUNOD JusIEYTpPUT _ yedeppug tetera reece e neces Dorr Keim Al AL ty terete reese eens © Toyo snoussIpuy ; “elnpe yl : sommpupy [tote t trees ttt ss ++ gaygmmog ye00T : ‘mMomyI "dg “ rece tes eereeessecess rogog A1qhy “nese qneqsmeg preter e ees ees cess sber Prag "gud (momqrex [eoo[ mor uettoedy oztad 4108 ys} 109309) “Arey vee Kveqog ttre eee reeecreesees Kynay mey “¢ “ seeeteeseeeeeees gnouaSipuy 103309 *yqeduppng yedeppng See e eee ee reer eee sheer Cem “HL 02 oT *asn. O[I9T] JO Ayqeqoad st 410dxe 10g 04848 4g B UL jou { efdeys 410q8 fx0a ‘arqy pepino ‘suous ‘ysrey ‘aoy09 pouvepup qndopsuryg se eeses+ ++ gnouaSrpuy 10709 “qndapsuryqp tert sees + © gayqramog yeoorT “op ‘op “og it3 peqeapéy Treesres ess Goyog pauvepuy “pequap{A “uvy yy 1aW00 ‘+++ peqeipdy aaqj tug [e0"'T ‘op ‘op “od 6“ “- Bmpey sere teees© qomog snouaSipuy “eanpeyl Fee eee esses gang [eorT “q1odxa Jo} oye4s IJ BV UL you { afdeys jzoys iqy papmo ‘uous ‘ysreq ‘u03}09 peueepoup Ty qndopsurqy a See ee eS snowasipuy 10}}09) *yndasurqg reese tees sgonqnmmog [eoorT ‘SYTVUIOY 7 *UAOLS JOIST. ‘aTOITY pure cojqIyTT FG | 3 a mt N *uomloedg | (-ponus;uoo)—oy ‘NOLLOO IO SHUMIM LHL NO LYOaTU SAUVANOOLNOW “8a xli “wonzuaus ogo.tnouozy * ‘payiodxe oq 431m nq ‘ees Yor ‘eT ‘on, 0} Tends Aqoorwos ‘azdeys Murpsm ‘pauvep AQuorapipur ‘Suoys Ajoye1opour ‘eaqy pam 4yos ‘aug ‘ered “pooS ‘103309 WaayUs Ny “uoIzUguL aJgnAnouo Ty “s8n]0 sry} Un popgryxa Aysnostio.s.eT — ‘a1gy doduons & qy1M Jeded 107 10 ‘Surppaq ‘smopd suymys 10y pasn oq Leur 410dxa 103 49 ‘pauwayo yes ‘ojdeqs y20ys L10a ‘orqy yeom Gyos ‘omg ‘(1103309 ¥ITg) “yrodxa roy aqv49 44 UL you { o[deys Hoys ‘a1qgy pepo ‘Suoxrys ‘ysrey “U0}}00 pouvepouy “y10dx@ I0y 97848 99 B UL jou foydeys wnIpeut ‘orqy Suoys ‘ysrey {pysys ‘Taouyx you -dy ‘103307 peuveyo Apuereyipuy ‘paas pzvrg wosf pamsap hyqoqord 82 sry 7, “poqiodxa 0q 4431u ‘U03300 poos v ‘saor a[qnop UI peduviie pus ‘eSiey pue peyeSe138e ore ory ‘speas 94} woiy ofqeiedes Apisea ‘odes Sao, ‘pa “Ho pue duos ‘qsxeq Apysys eiqy ‘pauvepoun 93% “-IoozUNyD rT ones Axeypeg “ peqeiepé pequispAy 6 fjodourqouzy, tereeeteess goog pay *r00}0N4) By a atTes ete tate se oopeforreny vee ee eane (qI18) 103309 *Areqyog, “sees * mow gunmoouex_T sees * Togo Axymmo09. pouvepoug “pequiopARy ‘arepue yy stttereesee © gonarmm0g [eooy Tretessess goog painopog speqeiephy ‘arepueNy srrre sees + gaqqtmmoy [e007 "+ sposag pue u0309 Yepuosjoy -Ajodouryoty, Rae aS ae * ATEpooyg eyTayovury 8% (0269) ‘ON ‘XH 1% 9% G3 xiii ssawads wbrasof wof uoruau squunouopy *y10dxo 10} 4 Jou sng} pus ‘pouvepoun ‘aqdeys wip -om Igy popano ‘oyseza ‘Suos ‘ysrey ATYSITs ‘poor : “TOON UBOLIEUY ¥ “poyeredas Apisve spoos {y10dxe 1oy yy ‘ peuvayo TTos ‘ajdejs wunIpeut ‘Suoys pue yjos aaqy ‘u0}309 poor "009900 WeoLeUy “wonquaue aqvinouozT *pauveyo Jt ysodxa 10y 4y aydeyg “Buoy Artes ‘popine pue Buoys “gos arqy ‘pouvepoun eytnb ynq ‘u03309 poor) "10}300 uvotemy A}qeqoig } a10YoIVy oe Kreg “-- gInpey Feeeeeeet +++ noyog meoweUy *qeoog a10yorey tertseceeseahser Gopker "NY "109400 UWeoHeWy “AreTO_ betes e reese nigog onuasary Sombie ee pam dhe uae ees tENRA OD “eInpeyl trreeerese ss gaqqrmm0g [e00T -poyervdes Apisea L194 ore spaes aqL ‘surueeso toredus fq peaordat youu oq yysiu ynq iodxe s0y yy ‘pouveza Ayuareyrpur ‘oydeys poos ‘aiqy Buoys ‘oug ‘yyos ‘ueowemy A[qeqorg peqesopi tree eee tees e+ nono pouvayy “peqeropAH fete e eee eae aeuyT aTeT0Q “SYM “TAMOLS JOLIISIC. ‘OPHAY pure sropqLaRE oe 0€ a N “aoutjoadg | (‘ponuzuoo)—o9 ‘NOLLOO IO SHUM FHL NO LUOITU SAUTKOOLNON “Xa xii "L ‘ON Jo oyeordng *d03}}09 Uoqanog “* meTRg W0}}0D uoqanog *S BIDE AT trees eees enagog anmasay “poyearyqno AT[nyJereo a1oUL JI eTqunyea aaord 4ystur 109309 sIyy, y10dxe 107 yWun { opdeys Buoy 1qy payin Suoys ‘asreoo ‘ysrey “uesoyrpuy “paas Us1e10F payerorlejop Jo sonpoid aq} Jo ‘snowed -Tpur Ayquqoad st y10dxe z0g yyUn ‘pauvopoun ‘ajdeis loys ‘oIqy payino Suoys ‘ysreq ‘yuetayrpur ‘es1e0g UINASVULIZI A > Ajodourqouy, (setoads ny3qQnop) 1164309 *WHISEUVIZIA verter eees Jo yRiey eqeyT tebe eee e nese es como “A{cdourqorsy, treeeeeeeess + qumooddy ‘q10dxo 10j qgun { peuwespoun ‘ojdeys qaoys ‘eiqg Suons ‘ysrey Apy Sys “uorayipuy } e10yorey te tees ess soqog azoyorey “qvoog s10qorey see mene * bsg POLCAR 'N "7 ssavoads ubraiof sof uorjusu apqvinouory *a7e4s quosoid ut 410dxe J0J yy you {pa -ueeloun ‘adeys Suo] ‘Su04s pue ong “yos ‘o1qy pooy "003309 pues] vag “cc } aroyorey rt sesssssmonog purest vag *qvoog eroyorey ee wee ee “bsg ‘rofey, “NCW 48 98 vs ee xliv smouaedipur ATqrq -oad st {410dxe 10J JUN oye}s STy} UI pus ‘petea[o Ajuorayrpar ‘spdeys yzoys ‘orjsepa ‘Buoys ‘yos o1qry “** ToOuUIN yy, w09{00 pauea[y *jooun yt tresses sees gaqqrmmog [v00'T “j10dxo JOJ yYUN a1ojerey} pue ‘po -uvepun ‘a[drys poo ‘yjSueays wpe Jo ‘109309 qos eug faa Y ‘paaomer Ajisee st ora poas jo yunowe a8xyy A10a @ sey yng ‘pood ‘uoy09 Aryun09 ssouaads ubrasof sof uorjuaue ajqvuinouoyy sayeys quasead ut y10dxa 103 ygun ‘ paes oq} 0) yuoraqpe ATeyezepour ‘pauvayoun ‘ofdejs me -our ‘yy Sues rey Jo c1qy Yos aug ‘uoyop ueNdAdgy ** JooMIN YT qvoog } a1oyorey Fetter eee eeteeees goog *Jooun yy Fetes sees + gaqqimmog [200'T seen sees ees sgogog meydsiq *qeoog, e10ysrey aie; ee ee te aca “bsg ‘10pkey, “NUL *10}}00 shouastput Jo Ayorzea otnos Apqeqoad sy “yaodxa soy ygun ‘aydeys qtoys ‘e1qy papino Buoys ‘osxvoo ‘ysrey “UeIeyIpUy “ce f qroot a0Torey sence e eet ees + gonog yoRIg “qeoog aroqorey eee geese e bea Sopher "NT “SyeUIOY “UMOIZ 901.495" OPHAY pur LOFQIYXH Iv oF ‘ueutledg | 2° 9 (‘panwjuco)—oy ‘NOLLOO, JO SHUMIM AHL NO LUOdTa GS AWANOOLINON AC *ytodxo 10g oy239 19 BW you fodejs umrpew ‘erqy Buoys ‘ysiey 4pqsys ‘uaony jou ‘dg ‘u0j109 petvazo Ayyueregrpuy "1103302) “BINPL YL "ers * gaqqtoULOD [200°] "7+ > GoW09 snousSipuy “emnpeyl “tees gasarM0y [eoory ae 110330) *r00yuny) “' "+ Waamy apng {y00R7 "7°" ** pauvepoun 10330 vorodSeNy ! 2 eet anae "bs Sona 9 “vane “ “OWE OF ov BInpe HL “ 3 . : ‘ON “ont Mm OOFUNH a “ “u0} -309 Aajgunog “410d xe soy 07038 49 8 UI jou fofdrys Woys ‘ergy pepo ‘Suoys ‘ysrey ‘03309 peueapoun | *arodSeyr be ‘souanbes -u09 ur qiodxe soy yy Aqaoxeos pue ‘poueayo Apa ~seytpur ‘o[deys 410qs ‘payne pue ‘Suoxs Jos aiqly | “+ jooumy "u0}}09 Axjunog ress ++ goog poneatg *Jooumyy “sess gaz} IUIMOD [BI0'T 9F gy tPF &y Gy . ‘ ~j10dx0 tog yun fozts Trews S19 Jo pur uoreqpe Area speas.‘pauveyo un ‘g[dyjs ytoys Aioa ‘onsvya ‘aszB09 ‘qyrey etqh iy “* BINPR AL teens sees yosog snoweStpuy “einpryL steers sees geqqrmma0g [200] “jzodxe xf oyeys ye UI you £oTdeys qroys oxqg pepo ‘Buoys “ysxey ‘woyoQ peuvspouy, “" BInpe AL "rrr ess ts smoMon shouespuy “BINpeyL seer eee eres gaqqrmmoy [B00'T ‘umouy you saroadg ‘gouanbestoo ur ytodxe toy 4y Ajeorvas “peueafo- Joa Jou ‘opdeys yr0ys ‘popino pre ‘Buoys ‘ysiey eIQl iy xlvi *orodSe se sese s+ wos0g poueaty ‘ard de Ny E trees seers es boa SaonpT "9 “qzodxe oy oye4s WT B UL you fozdeys qroys ‘erqy popmo ‘Suorys ‘ysrey ‘u0y09 pouvepoug “- empeyl “103309 poueala snouasipuy “empr L see ee eee es goqatmmog [800'T “syABUtayL *TAMOLS YOLTSIC. ‘oPUTY pur LOPQIEXL (‘ponwu00)—0" ‘NOLLOO JO SHUMA LHL NO LYOdTA SAUANOOLNON AC 0g 67 “uomtoad: | ~ pets; & xlvii “ssmja siy] un ponguysa hysnosuo.digT ‘a1qy Josu0Ns & WLM pasn jr soded 107 10 Surppeq z0y smorid Suynyg “q10dx9-103 4Q ‘poweayo Toa ‘oqdeys y1oys Aroa ‘orqy yeom GJos ‘oul, “003309 ALS “esnyo' siya tn ponguyse Ajsnoouo.tis ‘jtodxe Joy yYUN ax0joraq} pue ‘pouvspoun ‘opdejs 4104s Arzaa ‘oaqy yom “yos ‘out “709909 ATS . “ponigsup 9y7 ua unosb u07209 fo posod uo poawyy, fo uausads pooh » sn uouuau ajgn.nouojy “Ayyenb pues moyoo poo jo pus ‘dn prey ea 4y10dxe Joy 1G “pesiyy u0y0p poor "+ 1009ITITO “B09 qndaysurq9 Trees ee ees suonog aTIg “10033179 ses sbsor gaqstnr Ss A 103409 II “Boy sorts e ss gaqqrmUOy [e00T Trees es ss ppaaTy 109309 “yndopsurqg sess e+ goqarmmog [e00T (8659) “ON XH (2659) ‘ON XG &¢ “yonba ata pug _ ytodxa toy 4y ‘poteayo Tyo A730 ‘q[dvjs Suoz ‘orqy Suoys pue “yos ‘sug ‘pood £194, m0}}09 wendéBqy “qaodxa Joy yyun fozis qeus L10a Jo pue Guozoype Ax0A spaes ‘mozoo ut Aym1p ‘pauvayo -un ‘a[dejs g10ys A1eA ‘onseya ‘osre0o ‘ysreq aaqhay gndasarqy weyedeseziA qndepsuryp ul uaoIZ 000 “seapeyL ++ -bssp ‘peaqaioypy “AA “WOR ‘snousSIpuy 103300 ueyedesezt, teeeee sees + Moxy Suismy 6g 1g xlviii An analysis of the foregoing remarks will show that the following places were represented as supplying Cotton. Of the 53 specimens exhibited :— Salem supplied 8, of which one was Nankeen Cotton be- sides four foreign species. Nagpore » 8, of which all were unfit for export. Chingleput ,, 6, including one specimen of thread. Trichinopoly ,, 3, 5 two foreign species. ; Goa » 1, (uncleaned specimen) doubtful species. Vizianagram ,, 2, both unfit for export. re Madura » 10, including two good foreign varieties. Cuddapah » 2, indigenous species only. Bellary » 2, one exotic, one native. Paulghaut » 1, of doubtful character. Hyderabad ,, 4, of which one was exotic. Guntoor » 2, including one good Nankeen. Raichore Dooab 5, fs three of foreign species. Kurnool » 98, all indigenous. - Vizagapatam ,, 1, of native origin. Total 53—15 foreign—11 doubtful, and 27 indi- enous. As regards the nature of the Cottons exhibited the fol- lowing may be observed as to the productions of each dis- trict on the foregoing list. To contrast the contributions of all districts it would per- haps be better to tabulate the sources, and varieties of sup- ply. By doing this we may gain some insight into two points of importance, firstly, as to the proved capability of certain districts to produce exotic Cotton, and secondly, as to the nature of 7¢, if so cultivated, and.also of the indi- genous Cotton now under review as exhibited. In the following we therefore see the place of supply of all Cottons; the number of these which were of exotic species and of the varieties of native Cotton; and, as regards both descriptions, the suitability or otherwise of these for ex- portation. The points relied on in this respect were the length of staple and the cleaned or uncleaned condition of the sample; for unless satisfactory in these respects tne fibre could not be recommended as a profitable export, or to be relied on as such. xlix z Table of 15 Supplyiny Districts, showing the number of Samples Exhibited, and the proportion of these fit and unfit, respectively, for Kxportation. InpI- bas ImporTED | .|DOUBTFUL.| .| GE- | . oe SPEciEs. |2 B\Novs.| 3 =8 5 Bl. lel 6a D a nD ° a fa ag | Fe 5 4 = Propucine Dis- wld: : 2° 38 TRICTS. glaleig g 3 / | % SIS/S/5]. 2 ei LYS pPa la od g Sig 2-3 zlelslelele| ~ (elblelale| 25 2 alae lala A4lolola#lo| 8° & 4 4 1 1/ 2/2 2/8 fit Salem ..........-:c000 Ole o| oO 0 0 ol lo: 0 unt} 8 0/0; 0 fit Nagpore......ccccseee asa | eo pewe veel aye [oes ° 1 219 3 usnet 3 : 2 2) thread O10; 3 fit Chingleput........... o|- : ee 0 0 0 3 3 3 unit} 6 cata 1 Trichinopoly........ ‘adiola]oc epeepseed! ly: Panrtt 8 : 0 0 0 fit 1 Gow ti gsiiieens aa ” 1 serfeee Looe 1 unfit} a 0 0 Vizianagram......... [eo|...[.ee[en fee ” . te i “ld 3 unfit} : 1}1}2 0 0 2 fit Madura............ ree feolenler| |g é 1 ‘la fed 7 o 8 unfit} 1 0 Cuddapah............ Ma wf 210) 3 thf 2 lji : Ojo] 1 fit Bellary ........00+ see fenton feted |g | cr z | shady }untit 2 ‘ 1 Paulghaut............ sefefeefer field] 9 Bg es a se her 7 1 0 0 Hydrabad............ +l O fee Fs 3 "1B ]ee : i 3 une} # ps 1j1 GUntoor...e.sseceee me : i ebeil sal oall | Sess alot 1 1 T unit} 2 Raichoor Dooab... |...) 9171/2 |--| 9] -- “| ale 5 unat : 0 Kurm00lesesccssvecsene [oee{see[ecetecefece| ccs] cee ‘slg ree 3 Vizagapatam........ i : unit 7 Fit for export....... 4/2) 0] 2] 3li1] 3 2] 5] 2) 0] 2 18 Unfit for do.......... O} 1) 1] 2) oO} 4 6 0] 6) 0/25 |25 35 Total Exhibit....... | 4] 3) 1) 4] 315] 9 2/11} 2/25 |27 53 1 To summarize the above it may be said that about 73 per cent. of the exotic Cottons were fit for export—the 4 unfit specimens only wanting additional care in preparation : Of the doubtful species nearly 45 per cent. were fit for export, including one of very good thread. Of the indigenous Cottons only 2 specimens—or 73 per cent. only were found worthy of recommendation. The cause of this was three-fold, and these items may be enumerated as exemplifying the three great defects in native Cotton and native production. 1st. Short staple (only to be obviated by improved culture and the introduction of exotic varieties, or by hybridizing native Cotton with the pollen of foreign produce). Qndly. Partial or total absence of cleaning (not only from seeds but from leaves, sand, and dirt, either intentionally in- troduced or accidentally acquired). 8rdly. The harsh and curled fibre (due to the natural shortness of it and to want of irrigation of the crop). The standard of excellence was perhaps pitched higher at the time of the exhibition than it would zow be, when there is extensive demand for all staples. But, unless marked improvement should be effected on the points above indi- cated, native Cotton can never compete with exotic Cotton carefully grown even in India. It is worthy of remark that cost of production formed no item of the information placed at my disposal by exhibitors : and in the absence of this and of positive means of knowing the market value of each kind of Cotton, I am unable to do more than institute an arbitrary distinction between the de- cidedly saleable and the probably unsaleable commodity. As to the classification by varieties contained in the last table, I should add that in many instances (as the table itself shows) no reliable conclusion could be arrived at, and the distinct species of 34 of the 53 specimens could not be determined. Of these however 9 appeared to be foreign varieties and 25 indigenous. This conclusion was arrived at from a careful examination of the fibre, seeds, &c., of each specimen. Some of the Cottons exhibited were beautiful articles: and if large quantities of equal quality could be produced, li they would command ready and good sale. But, in exhi- bitions such as that now under review there is no test applied as to the quantity grown, and a carefully prepared “ garden specimen” may be rewarded, although if the cost of its production were known it would be found to be worse than useless as an export intended to realize a profit on cost of production, &. To this and other branches of the’ sub- ject I shall advert hereafter, but I feel it right now to guard my readers against drawing other than general conclusions from the facts here recorded. The producing power of cer- tain districts may be apparently overstated: as in the case of Salem, which was represented by one exhibitor chiefly, and some of the specimens from his plantation were three or four times brought to notice with approval. The very fine quality of the Bourbon Cotton produced by this gentleman, of the Egyptian by the Honourable Mr. Morehead and Captain Templar, and the excellence of all specimens of Brazil Cotton, should not be lost sight of by intending Cultivators. Nor should it be forgotten that Nankeen Cotton of good quality was exhibited from the dis- tricts of Salem and Guntoor. As this occasion presents me with a suitable opportunity for doing so, I desire to record the following awards at the exhibition for the article of true Cotton fibre. Captain Templar 1st prize, 1st class medal for Cotton. Messrs. Fischer and Co. ee ae do do do Hon. W. Morehead, Esq. (| equal Jdo do do Messrs. Fischer and Co. Hon. mention for Nankeen Cotton. F. S. Child, Esq. do for Cotton. Hanamunt Row do _—_ for Cotton. Narrayadoo do for Nankeen Cotton. Local Committee of Madura do for Cotton. R. N. Taylor, Esq. do for introducing 3 varieties of exotic Cotton, only want- ing in careful preparation. Local Committee, Chingleput, Honourable mention for Cot- ton thread. Howarp B. Monteomery, M.D. Reporter on Fibres for the Madras Exhibition of 1859. For St, GzorGE, Madras, 1861. u INDEX. N.B.—The numerals refer not to the Pages but to the No. of the Paragraphs. Adonie Talook, 88. Alabama, 107; suitableness of the soil to the growth of Cotton, 143; the Professor of Chemistry re- quests information regarding the Cotton plant, 304. Alluvial soil, description of 16, 47 ; cultivated with Cotton, 48; re- sult of the second season, 55; fail- ure of the Cotton crop, 94; un- suitable to the growth of American Cotton, 272; the component parts, 355. America, North, climate of, 8; plant- ers engaged to instruct the natives of India in Cotton cultivation, 35 ; six evils to be guarded against, 72; rising temperature during the Cot- ton growing season, 108; man- ner of using the American saw gin, 130 ; early cultivation of Cot- ton, 148; nature of the lands on which Cotton is grown, 145; man- ner of manuring, 146; the life of a Cotton planter, 150 ; advantages of gins, 156; rent of lands, 157; minimum prices of Cotton, 158; . labourers compared with those of India, 159. American Cotton, soil adapted to, 16; question of ridging, 54; advant- ages possessed by India in the cul- tivation, 72; its superiority to Indian, 83; price, note to 84; distribution of seed among the col- lectors, 105; two methods of cul- tivation, 110; choice of soil re- quired, 113; preparation of the lands for the seed, 114; plough- ing and hoeing during the grow- ing season, 115 ; distance between the rows, 116; treatment of the plant as an annual and rotation of crops, 117; its profitable cultiva- tion, 118 ; plans for extending the cultivation, 119; order of Court of Directors for 6000 bales, 121; failure of the purchase system, 124; early cultivation in America, 143; minimum price, 158; re- duction of land-tax is not bene- ficial to its culture, 160; unfitness of the churka, 170; sale at Coim- batore of some damaged, note to 177; successful culture in Court- allum, 184; unsuccessful culture at Sevacausey, Virdooputty, and Aroopoocottah, 185 ; Mr. Finnie’s views on extending the cultivation, 203; his matured judgment against its culture, 204; Dr. Wight’s opinion, 210; Mr. Fin- nie convinced of the folly of culti- vating it in India, 211; liable to failure in any part of the Madras Presidency, 227 ; causes of failure, 228; Dr. Wight’s cultivation by irrigation, 242; Mr. Thomas’s method to induce the Ryots to ex- tend its cultivation, 258; Mr. Lees’ cultivation, 259; discussion concerning the purchase on Go- vernment account from Ryots of Tinnevelly, 260; successful cul- INDEX. tivation by the Ryots of Coimba- tore, 266 ; compared with the cul- ture of Indian Cotton, 270; steady market required to extend the growth, 278; Mr. Lees’ partial success in Tinnevelly, 280; Coro- mandel coast growth, 281; Government pur- chases ceased, 287; method of cultivation in Coimbatore, 360; diseases, 362 ; general conclusions, 371, 373. American plant, its habits, 95; sea- sons, 96; nature of the lands in America on which it is grown, 145; its average spread, 359. Anderson, Dr., distributes foreign Cotton seeds at Madras, 32; re- sults of his labours, 33, Arbuthnott, Hon. D., gives Brazil- ian Cotton seeds to Dr. Mudge, 299. Arbuthnott and Co., Messrs., concur in the opinion of Mr. Finnie re- | specting the use of the gin, 181. Archipelago, 143. Arcot, North, 9; soil unfavourable, 300. Arcot, South, 9, 301. Arkwright’s machinery, 31. Aroopoocottah, hire of a temporary gin-house, 172; difficulties of conducting the ginning operations, 179; unsuccessful culture of Ame- rican Cotton, 185 ; meeting of the Cotton Brokers, 187; Cotton plantation established by Mr. Finnie, 203. Assessment, general rate of, 15; Dr. Wight’s propositions for reducing it, 121; Mr. Finnie’s opinion on the reduction, 160; Marquis of Tweeddale suggests remission on Cotton fields, 218. Atlas Press, 61. Bangalore, Cotton imported from Bellary, 330. Banking, mode of, 52. Bayles, Captain, is sent to America to engage Cotton Planters, 35. suitable to the. hii Bellary, 5, 9; rate of assessment, note to 15; one of the principal Cotton Districts, 17; trial of ‘American saw gins, 34; recom- mended by Mr. Simpson as suit- able to the growth of Cotton, 80; proposed operatfons of the Plant- ers, 86; Mr. Morris despatched to, 87; his report, 88; the Col- lector reports favourably on the Dharwar saw gin, 252; failure of the experiment of Egyptian Cot- ton by the Collector, 298; the Collector’s detailed report, 330 ; of soil, 331; geology and topo- graphy, 332; climate, 333 ; seed, 334; character of the Cotton plant, 335, Bengal, construction of Mather’s churka in, 244, Bezwarah, 294., Bhooj, 228. ‘ Bird, Mr., requests Dr. Wight to send New Orleans Cotton seed, 260. Bishop, Mr., reports favourably upon the Cottage saw gin, 251. Black soil, description of, 6; com- pared with Red soil, 42; given to Mr. Morris and Mr. Simpson, 48 ; results of the second season, 55; unsuitableness to American Cot- ton, 215; comparative growth of the Native and American Cotton in Coimbatore, 266; other crops grown in, 315, 344, 356. Board. of Revenue, solicit the pur- chase of Dharwar gins, 252 ; sup- port the suggestion of the Col- lector of Tanjore, 256; approve the successful cultivation of Egypt- ian Cotton by Mr. Shubrick, 298. Bombay, Cotton exported to the Directors, 32; transfer of Mr. Hawley, 46; of Mr. Simpson, 81 ; permission to act as Cotton Agent is given to Mr. Simpson by the Government, 139 ; Cotton import- ed from Coimbatore, 367. Bourbon Cotton, 20; its origin, 21; compared with Indian and New u2 liv Orleans, 22; introduced into the Madras Presidency, 33; method of cultivation, note to 34; opinion of the Ryots, 36; growth com- pared, 56; report of the Brokers upon the samples, 60; treated as a biennial plant, 64; Dr. Wight cultivates by irrigation, 242; the action of the cottage gin, 247; difficulty in separating the wool, 277; successful culture in the People’s Park, 299; the average height of plants in Coimbatore, 359. Brazilian Cotton—See Pernambuco. | Brokers, Cotton, report upon Dr. Wight’s Cotton, 57 ; are preferred | to Zemindars in the use of the gins, 165; visit the scene of Mr. Finnie’s operations at Aroopoo- cottah, 173; their testimony that dirty Cotton was more profitable than clean Cotton, 174; their transactions with the Ryots, Chet- ties, and Agents, 175; adultera-- tion of the Cotton by the ‘ Devil’s dust” system, 177; their meet-— ing in Tinnevelly, 187; their mode of purchase, 213. Brooke, Mr., 365. Brown Loam—See Red soil. Cadell, Mr., 303. Calcutta, Mr. Finnie’s exportation of | a thresher from, 131; Cotton yarn | exported to Vizagapatam, 292. Calicoes, Indian, stoppage of de- mand, 31. Campbell, Mr. D., purchases the gin- house at Coimbatore, 255; dies, ib., 286. Canara, North, description of, 5; enjoys the S. W. Monsoon, 7, 9; Mr. Simpson’s report upon, 76; Cotton imported from Bellary, 364. Canara, South, 5, 366. Cape Comorin, 4; junction of the two Ghauts at, 5; limit of the Carnatic, 295. Caresal soil—See Black soil. Carnatic, description of, 5; enjoys INDEX. the influence of the N. E. Mon- soon, 7; its districts, 9; its mean temperature and mean falls of rain, 99; physical feature, 106; season for sowing Cotton, 107; nature of the climate, 109; lead- ing principles of Cotton culture in, 275; extension of, 295. Ceylon, Merchants establish Agents in Tinnevelly, 162; a driving machinery for sale in, 166. Chamber of Commerce, Madras, 197 ; confirm Dr. Wight’s valuation of Mr. Finnie’s samples, 201; their unfavourable report upon Cottage saw gin, 247; approve the suc- cessful cultivation of Egyptian Cotton by Mr. Shubrick, 298. Chayroot, discussion concerning the renters of, 259. Chetties, purchase Cotton from the Ryots, 129; visit the scene of Mr. Finnie’s operation at Aroopoo- cottah, 173; their transactions with the Ryots, Brokers, and Agents, 175; their tricks with European agents, 178, 213. Chingleput, 298. | Churka, description of the, 25; American saw gin used at Coim- batore in its place, 45; Mr. Fin- nie’s opinion upon, 126; his first year’s proceedings, 141; second year’s proceedings, 163; its un- fitness for American Cotton, 170; Mr. Finnie’s third year’s opera- tions, 187; Mr. Finnie pro- nounces in its favour, 205; cost of cleaning Cotton, 208, 254. Churka, Mather’s description of, 244, Cirears, 4; districts of, 9 ; establish- ment of two Cotton Farms, 34; its extent, 290. Cochin, 9, 363, 368. Coimbatore, 7, 9; description of the soil, 16; one of the principal Cot- ton districts, 17; introduction of Bourbon Cotton, 33; establish- ment of a Cotton farm, 34; re- moval of the Planters to, 39; Dr. INDEX. Wight’s tour through the district, 44; mode of sowing Cotton seed, 50; experiment made by Mr. Wroughton, 66; Madras Govern- ment propose the abandonment of Cotton farms, 86; Dr. Wight’s new Cotton farms, 90; location of the farms, 103; respective prices of Cotton in the market, 124; Mr. Finnie’s tour from Courtallum to, 187; trial of cat- tle labour and manual labour by Dr. Wight, 167; sale of some damaged American Cotton, note to 177; Mr. Finnie refused per- mission to extend his operations, 209; favourable report of the American planters, 211; Dr. Wight’s system of purchase, 218 ; suggestion to relinquish the ex- perimental farm by the Marquis of Tweeddale, 218 ; by the direct- } ors, 223; Dr. Wight ascribes the failure of the Cotton crop to the want of humidity, 229; Sir H. Pottinger directs Dr. Wight to break up his establishment, 232 ; Dr. Wight resumes his office, 241 ; the en neue sold to Mr. D. Campbell, 255 ; Mr. Wroughton’s collectorate farm at, 257; Ryots’ successful culture of Ame- rican Cotton, 264; failure of the experiment of Egyptian Cotton by the Collector, 298 ; the Collector’s report, 354 ; of soil, 355;. geology and topography, 356; climate, 357 ; seed, 358; character of the Cotton plant, 359; method of cul- tivation, 360; manure, 361; dis- eases, 362. Colaba Press, 61. Company, East India, three objects sought by, 3 ; three improvements required in the Indian Cotton, 19; their efforts upon Cotton cultivation, 226. Coomptah, Cotton imported from Bellary, 330, 364. Coorchee, a Cotton farm established at, 46; description of the soil, 65. the’ ly Coorg, 299. Coromandel coast, description of, 4; its distance from the Eastern Ghauts, 5; season for sowing Cotton, 97; Mr. Lees’ experiment of Cotton cultivation, 279, 281. Corrie and Co., Messrs., 202. Cotton, better varieties of, 20; six leading varieties of, 21; method of separating and cleaning, 24; experiment of treating the plant as a biennial, 64; fluctuation of the price of land, 157; estimate of the Brokers upon dirty one, 174 ; adulteration by the “ Devil’s dust” system, 177; price of the unadulterated, 189; difficulty of separating the seed, 277; export- ed to Vizagapatam from Calcutta and Madras, 292; to Godavery from Kristna, 293; to Tanjore from Madura and Tinnevelly, 803; diseases, 312, 325; Cotton exported from Bellary to Madras, Bangalore, Wallajapet, and Coomptah, 330; from Kurnool to Madras, 339; improvements in the quality required, 341. Cotton cultivation, Hand-book to 1; rate of assessment, note to 15; better system of, 23; memorial drawn by Mr. Rundall, 34; pre- vailing opinions in the Madras Presidency, 36; introduction of the American system, 44; Dr. Wight’s notes, 49—54; earl preparation and sowing required, 69 ; its cost, 74; extension of the improved method, 84; five prac- tical suggestions required, 112; proposition for reducing the assess- ment of lands, 121; Mr. Finnie explains to the Ryots the im- proved method, 136 ; Mr. Finnie’s notes, 1483—160 ; capital required, 149; uncertainty of weather, 154 ; expense, 155; method of improve- ment, 219, 220; Dr. Wight’s trial by irrigation, 242; Colonel Lawford’s, 256; Mr. Lees’ culti- vation, 259; general survey in lvi the Madras _ Presidency, 289; mode of, in Trichinopoly, 302; in Madura, 310; in Tinnevelly, 828; in Bellary, 336; in Cud- dapah, 350; in Coimbatore, 360. Cotton districts, 17; statistics of, 18; large experiment in early sowing throughout, 105. Cotton manufacturers, Great Britain, their rivalry with native weavers, 31; Mr. Finnie requests permis- sion to consult with them, 186; they are advised to purchase Cot- ‘ton direct from the Ryots, 224. Cotton, Mr. Finnie’s Tinnevelly, 196; Dr. Wight’s report upon it, 198, 211. Cotton seed, high prices demanded by the Ryots for, 180; process of cleaning, 206; high demands at Coimbatore, 267; distribution of the Egyptian among several Col- lectors, 298; preparation before sowing, 308. Courtallam, enjoys both monsoons, 68; Mr. Finnie’s tour, 133; his departure from, 137; Mr. Fin- nie’s planting operations, 161; successful culture of American Cotton, 184; cessation of Mr. Finnie’s operations, 203; sanc- tion of a small model farm, 216. Crop, Cotton, sudden renovation of, 41; keeping down extraneous vegetation until the ripening of, 53; comparison of those of the four seasons, 65; rotation of, 90, 148; successive operations re- quired, 150; Indian and Georg- ian compared, 271. Cuddapah, 5, 9; description of the soil, 16; one of the principal Cot- ton districts, 17; trial of Ameri- can saw gin, 34 ; the Collector re- ports favourably on Dharwar saw gin, 252; failure of the experi- ment of Egyptian Cotton by the Collector, 298; present state of Cotton cultivation, 342; detailed report of Mr. Murray, 343; of soil, 844; weeds, 345; geology INDEX. and topography, 346; climate, 347; i ee character of the Cotton plant, 349; mode of cul- tivation, 350; manure, 351; dis- eases, 352. Cuxton, Mr., 232; is requested by Dr. Wight to report upon the capability of the coast to produce American Cotton, 242. Denison, Sir William, his minute upon the improvement of Native Cotton, note to 219; his queries upon Cotton cultivation in Tinne- velly, 327. ; Devil’s dust system, adulteration of Cotton, 177. Dharwar, New Orleans Cotton suc- cessfully cultivated, 76; success of Mr. Mercer, 80; Mr. Morris’ tour through the district, 88 ; favourable report of the two American planters, 211; en- couragement afforded for the growth of New Orleans Cotton, 234; construction of a gin, 252; advantages of American Cotton, 278. Directors, Court of, 29; endeavour to get a supply of Cotton from India, 32; send a Cotton cleaner to the Madras Presidency, 34; engage ten Planters in America, 35; disapprove of the plan of Lord Elphinstone, 39; send an American saw gin, 45; approve the sample sent by Dr. Wight, 57; the suggestions of Mr. Simp- son, 81; of the Manchester Asso- ciation, 105; order for 6000 bales of East India Cotton, 120; decide against the reduction of Assess- ment on lands under American Cotton cultivation, 123; object to the use of hand gins, 168; de- cline to permit Mr. Finnie to go to England, 186; large shipment of churkaed Cotton contrary to their orders, 199; approve the suggestion of Dr. Wight to try churkaed with the ginned by En- INDEX. glish spinners, 216; their general opinions upon the experimental culture, 217; their views con- cerning the experimental farms, 222—224; send some Sea Island Cotton seed, 235; their measures concerning Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie, 237, 239, 240; sanction the relief of the chayroot renter from interfering with Mr. Lees’ cultivation, 259; their final des- patch on Cotton, 287; receive certain queries regarding Cotton by Dr. Mallet, 304. Dowlashwarum, 294. Drill husbandry, 49, 151. Driving Machinery, expenses of, 156; Mr. Finnie’s proposal for the erection, 166; sanction for its pechaee 167; change in Mr. ‘innie’s views, 168; erected at Sevacausey, 207; Mr. Finnie’s last opinion, 238. Drought, its effects upon Cotton shrub, 42, 70, 360. Earle, Mr., reports upon samples of Cotton sent to Liverpool, 43, 45. Eeypt, treatment of the Sea Island Jotton as a biennial, 64; irriga- tion employed, 110. Egyptian Cotton, 20, 21; success- fully cultivated on the Coromandel coast, 279; suitability of Ganjam to its growth, successful cultiva- tion of, 291; Mr. Shubrick’s, 298 ; Dr. Mudge’s, 299 Ellice, Mr. R., 287. Ellore, 294. Elphinstone, Lord, experiments during his governorship, 28 ; re- solves upon the removal of the American Planters to Salem and Coimbatore, 38; his suggestions adopted by Mr. Fischer, ib.; re- quests Dr, Wight to draw up notes upon American system of agriculture, 48; succeeded by the Marquis of Tweeddale, 67. Elton, Mr., 237; recommends the lit cultivation of Cotton by irrigation, 256. Errode, Cotton farm established, 39. Experimental farms, four, estab- lished, 39; arrangements regard- ing two, 46; distribution of land amongst them, 47; of soil, 48; their state in 1843-44, 61; ge- neral result of the four seasons, 66; their position in 1845, 86; new ones established in Coimba- tore, 90; their results, 91; con- templated establishment of a num- ber of small ones, 125; stage of culture in Tinnevelly, 183; gene- ral opinions of the Madras Govern- ment and Court of Directors, 217 ; suggestions to relinquish those in Coimbatore by the Marquis of Tweeddale, 218 ; by the Directors, 228; Sir H. Pottinger suggests that the continuance of them would be injurious, 226; with- drawal of the Government Agency, 288; their state after Dr. Wight's departure, 288. Finnie, Mr., 28 ; succeeds Mr. Simp- son in the Madras Presidency, 87 ; reports unfavourably upon the Madras district, 89; despatched to Tinnevelly, ib.; his labours compared with those of Dr. Wight, 126; his first impression of Tinnevelly, 127; requests per- mission to act as Agent, 128 ; re- commends the thresher before the use of the churka, 131; obtains saw gins from Dr. Wight, ib. ; three points in his career, 132; his tour to Courtallum,, 133; allays the fears and suspicions of the Ryots, 135; explains the im- proved method of culture to the Ryots, 136; his tour to Coimba- tore, 137; is permitted to act as Cotton Agent, 139; request the Madras Government to remove the restriction to ginned Cotton, 140; his first year’s proceedings with the churka, &c., 141; receives Ini some queries by the Marquis of Tweeddale, 142; his notes on Cotton cultivation in America and India, 148—160 ; disappointed as an Agent, 162; sells two gins to Zemindars, 164; proposes to erect @ , gin-house a cattle-driving machinery in Tinnevelly, 166; sanctioned, 167; opinion as regards driving ma- chinery, 168; explains his in-‘ consistencies to the Madras Go- vernment, 169; his general ob- jections to the gins discussed by Dr. Wight, 170; his proposition for erecting a gin-house, 171; hires a gin-house at Aroopoocot- tah, 172; erects three gins and « thresher, 173; his notes on the peculiarities of the Cotton trade in Tinnevelly, 175—178; his statement of the expenses of gin- ning, 181; requests permission to proceed to England, 186; recom- mends the introduction of small hand threshers and cheap presses, 190; invents a cheap Cotton press, 195; forwards to the Madras Government a sample of Tinne- velly Cotton, 196; his letter to Government, note ; comparison of his system of purchasing Cotton with that of Dr. Wight, 200; his proposed extension of plantin operations, 263; his mature judgment against the culture of American Cotton or use of the American gin, 204; refused per- mission to extend his operations to Coimbatore, 209; his breach with Dr. Wight, 210; is con- vinced of the folly of cultivating American Cotton in India, 211; his correspondence about growing and planting American Cotton, 213; his proceedings disapproved by Dr. Wight, 214; advises Dr. Wight that all his plans have been approved by the authorities, 216 ; is allowed to remain in Tinne- velly to instruct the East Indian changes his | INDEX. lads in the use of the gins, 281; his departure from the Madras Presidency, 237; his last letter, 248. Fischer, Mr., his Cotton establish- . ment at Salem, 38; adopts the suggestion of Lord Elphinstone, ib.; his general views upon Cot- ton, 39; reports upon the un- suitability of the climate of Salem to the growth of Brazilian Cot- ton, 299; his report upon North Canara, 364. Fischer and Co., Messrs., Cotton ex- porters in Salem, 353. Florida, mean falls of rain, 109. Foot Roller, description, 24. Ganjam, 9; Cotton produce incon- siderable but easily increased by money advances, 291; the soil suited to the growth of Egyptian Cotton, 298. Georgia, a Cotton cleaner sent to the Madras Presidency from, 34; its crops compared with those of India, 271; its soil with South- ern India, 275. Ghauts, Eastern, description of, 5, Ghauts, Western, description of, 5; heavy rains upon, 7, 356. Gin-house, its state, 61; its ex- penses, 56; Mr. Finnie’s proposal for its erection in Tinnevelly, 166, 171; hire of a temporary one at Aroopoocottah, 172; erected at Sevacausey, 207 ; allowed for the use of the Ryots, 233; sold to Mr. Campbell at Coimbatore, 255. Gins, a practical person recommend- ed for their exhibition, 80; their expenses, 156; Zemindars pur- chase of, 164; their unfitness for Indian Cotton, 170 ; difficulties in conducting the operations at Aroo- poocottah, 179; heavy expenses incurred, 181; necessity for im- proving the construction, 182. Godavery district, 9; Cotton wool exported, 84; Cotton supply large, INDEX. but insufficient for the wants of the district, 293, Government, Madras, orders respect- ing the Cotton Hand-Book, 2; » efforts of, towards the cultivation ’ of Cotton, 34; establishes four Cotton Farms, ib.; appoints Dr. Wight to report on the state of agriculture in Southern India, ib.; approves the agreements made between Dr. Wight and the Ryots, 44; requests Mr. Wrough- ton to explain the causes of the success of his Cotton experiment, 67; proposes his abandonment of Cotton farms at Coimbatore, 86 ; requested by Dr. Wight to re- duce the assessment on lands un- der American Cotton cultivation, 121; permits Mr. Finnie to act as Cotton Agent, 139; removes the restrictions upon Mr. Finnie, 140; sanctions the purchase of cattle-driving machinery for Mr. Finnie, 167; of small hand- threshers and presses, 191; refers the sample of Finnie’s Tinnevelly Cotton to Dr. Wight, &., 197; refuses permission to Mr. Finnie to extend his operation to Coim- batore, 209; Sir Henry Pottin- ger’s arrival, 210; approves the suggestion of Dr. Wight to try churkaed Cotton with ginned by the English spinners, 215 ; gene- ral opinions upon the experimental culture, 217; its decision regard- ing Dr. Wight reversed by the Directors, 239; cottage saw gins received, 246; further purchase, 252; places the Cotton farm in Coimbatore under a Duffadar, 257; refuses the purchases applied for by Mr. Bird, 261; condemns Dr. Wight's reports, 282; withdraws the agency, 283. Grate, evils arising from, 70. Grecian Archipelago, 143. Guntoor, description of, note to 9; Cotton exported to the Godavery district, 294. lix Hand-Book to Cotton cultivation, 1; method pursued in its com- pilation, 2; division of the sub- ject matter, 28; leading points of the several chapters, 29; special- ties of the chapters, 30; general aus 369 ; general conclusions, Hand gins, 253 ; cost of labour, 254. Hardy, Mr. Thomas, his report upon Cotton trade at Tuticorin, 328. Hathaway, Mr., his report upon Madura, 305—812. 3 Hawley, Mr., comes to Madras, 35 ; sent to Tinnevelly, 37; removed to Coimbatore, 39; transferred to Bombay, 46. Heath, Mr., his successful Cotton cultivation at Vizagapatam, 34. Hoeing, Dr. Wight’s remarks, 61 ; manner of, 52; practical suggest- ion upon it, 115; season for adopt- ing it, 152. Honore, 365. Hughes, Captain, his efforts at Tin- nevelly, 33; three planters sent under his superintendence, 37 ; succeeded by Dr. Wight, 41; good crop of American Cotton obtained by him, 211. Hughes’ Tinnevelly Cotton, 33, 372; method of cultivating Bourbon Cotton, note to 34, Hullial, Mr. Simpson’s report upon it, 78, 365. Hurryhur, 80. Idler, Mr., 141. Inam Commission, its origin, 15. India, its climate compared with that of America, 8; rivalry between its Native weavers and the Cotton Manufacturers of Great Britain, 31; ten American Planters sent, 35 ; treatment of Bourbon variety as a biennial, 64; advantages in the cultivation of American Cot- ton, 72; remunerative demand re- quired, 73; characteristics of the seasons, 97; its climate not too hot, but too cold, 106; diminish- lx ing temperature during the Cot- ton growing seasons, 108; two methods of cultivating American Cotton, 110; manner of cleaning the Cotton, 1380; present cultiva- tion of Cotton, 143; manner of manuring, 146 ; of planting, 151 ; cheapness of the labour, 159; Mr. Finnie’s judgment against the culture of American Cotton and use of American gin, 203; Dr. Wight’s opinion upon the growth of American Cotton, 210; Sir H. Pottinger’s experience in the various parts of, 228 ; Coimbatore Ryots’ opinion upon the soil and climate, 263; Dr. Wight refutes the theory that the climate and soil are unfitted for American Cot- ton, 269; its crops compared with those of Mississippi, 271; Dr. Wight’s opinion upon the climate of the South, 274. Indian Cotton, soil adapted to it, 16 ; queries with reference to it, 18; improvements required in it, 19; its varieties, 20; its character, 21 ; compared with Bourbon and New Orleans Cottons, 22; efforts to extend and improve, 32; prevail- ing opinion upon it, 36; opinion of Mr. Morris upon it, 40; its growth compared, 56; report of the Brokers upon the sample, 58 ; its inferiority to American Cotton, 83; plans for extending its culti- vation, 119; Directors order for 6000 bales, 120; price at which Dr. Wight purchased, 124; Mr. Finnie’s opinion upon it, 126; unfitness of the gin, 170; syste- matic adulteration, 175; process of cleaning, 206; unsuited to the American gin, 210; Marquis of Tweeddale’s plan for improving the culture, 219, 220; Dr. Wight cultivates by irrigation, 242; failure of the crop in Coim- batore, 266 ; its culture compared with the American, 270; unsuit- ableness of Madras, 279; of North INDEX. Arcot, 300; general conclusions, 372, 374; political and com- mercial prospects, 375. Irrigation required in cultivating American Cotton, 110; experi- ments by it, 111; Dr. Wight’s cultivation of American Cotton, 242; Colonel Lawford’s cultiva- tion in Tanjore, 256. Jaffna, uew driving machinery for sale, 166; purchased, 207. Jeypore, 292. Juggernaut, 290. Kenrick, Mr., his efforts at Madras, 281. Kentucky, 143. . Kleinknecht, Mr., report upon his experimental culture, 365. Krishna district, 9 ; Cotton exported to Godavery, 293; Mr. Thorn- hill’s report, 294. Krishna, river, 4, 290. Kunkur, 77, 118, 319. Kurnool, 9; failure of the experi- ment of Egyptian Cotton by the Collector, 298; extent of land under Cotton cultivation, 339. Kutch, 228. Labour, cattle, 167. Labour, manual, loss incurred by the employment, 1384; American and Indian compared, 159 ; cost of, 167, 310, 323, 336. Lawford, Colonel, tries Cotton cul- tivation by irrigation in Tanjore, 111, 256, 371. Lees, Mr. Arthur, 259. Lees, Mr. David, his Cotton culti- vation in Tinnevelly, 259; his partial success, 280, 371. London, the value of Dr. Mudge’s Cotton, 299. : Longshaws, Messrs., their efforts at Trichendoor, 281. Madras, 9; distribution of foreign Cotton seeds, 32; arrival of an American saw gin, 45; Mr. Fin- INDEX. / nie despatched to report upon the district, 87; his unfavourable re- port, 89; the temperature com- ared with that of Vera Cruz, obile, and Natchez, 107 ; mean falls of rain, 109 ; establishments of ane in Tinnevelly by the Merchants, 162; arrival of Sir Henry Pottinger, 225; Dr. Wight's visit, 235; arrival of twenty-four Cottage saw gins, 246; Cotton yarn exported to Vizagapatam, 292; experiments in Native and foreign Cottons, 297, 299; Cotton imported from Bel- lary, 3380; from Kurnool, 339. Madras Presidency, its boundaries, 4; physical features, 5; modifica- tions of the tropical heat, 6; cli- mate, 8; Revenue divisions, 9; Revenue system, 10 ; introduction of Bourbon Cotton, 33; opinions upon Cotton cultivation, 35; large experiment in early sowing throughout the Cotton districts, 105; failure of American Cotton, 227; Dr. Wight’s superintend- ence retained, 240; survey of the present Cotton cultivation, 289. Madura, 9; description of the soil, 16; Mr. Finnie’s arrival, 137 ; importance of the cleanliness of Cotton known to the inhabitants, 209; good crop of American Cot- ton obtained by Mr. Hughes, 211 ; small hand threshers sanctioned, 225 ; Cotton exported to Tanjore, 308; detailed report of the Col- lector, 304; of the soil, 306; geology and topography, 306; climate, 307 ; Cotton seed, 308 ; character of the Cotton plant, 309; mode of cultivation, 310; of manure, 311 ; of disease among Cotton plants, 312. Malabar, description, 5; enjoys the S. W. monsoon, 7, 9, 365, Malabar Coast, description, 4; dis- tance from the Western Ghauts, 5; Cotton sowing time, 97; physical features, 363. Ixi Malacca, Straits of, 228. Mallett, Dr., forwards certain queries connected with Indian Cotton to the Directors, 304, Malta, Cotton seeds sent, 32, Maltby, Mr., his tour with Mr. Fin- nie through Pullicarny, 89. Manchester Commercial ‘Association, their suggestion respecting early sowing, 92, 105; order for 6000 bales of American Cotton, 121; object to’ the use of hand gins, 168 ; their valuation of Mr. Fin- nie’s Cotton, 202; their unfound- ed complaint, 234; Cottage saw ‘ins constructed under their irection, 246; urge Mr. Lees to try American Cotton in Southern Tndia, 259. Mangostein, 228. Manney, river, 256. : Manure, question about it, 71; its composition, 146, 311, 324, 387, 351, 364. Masulipatam, description, note to 9; establishment of a Cotton farm, 34. Mauritius, Bourbon Cotton brought, 22; varieties of Cotton seeds obtained, 32. Mayne, Mr. Dawson, his detailed re- port upon Tinnevelly, 314—321. Mc Donnell, Mr., reports on the mode of cultivation in Trichin- opoly, 302. Mercer, Mr., his success in Dharwar, 80; his opinion of the climate of India, 107, 109. “Metcalfe, Mr. Bernard, is sent to the Madras Presidency, 34. Metcalfe, Sir Charles, his description of the village communities, 10. Mexican Cotton—See New Orleans. Mexico, 92. Minchin, Mr., his opinion on the obstacles to the increased pro- duction of Cotton, 339. Mississippi, Cotton growing season, 106; commencement of the Cot- ton cultivation, 107; crops com- pared with those of India, 271. Ixii INDEX. Mobile, temperature, 107. Model Fields, Marquis of Tweed- dale suggests the establishment, 224, Monsoon, North-east, its duration, 7; reported failure of the crop in consequence of it, 40; its effects upon Cotton shrub, 42; certain tracts of land enjoying it, 68; seasons on the Coromandel Coast, 98; Cotton cultivation, 100; its influence upon American plant, 266; its duration in Coimbatore, 275; diseases during its preva- lence, 312, 338. Monsoon, South-west, its duration, 7; certain tracts of land enjoying it, 68; season on the Malabar Coast, 101; Cotton cultivation, 102. Montgomery, Sir Henry, discourses with Dr. Wight on the state of the Cotton farms, 235. Morris, Mr., arrives at Madras, 35 ; sent to Tinnevelly, 37; removed to Errode, 39; his remarks upon the growth of American plants, 54; exchanges Cotton farm with Mr. Sherman, note to 65; de- spatched to Bellary, 87; his re- port upon it, 88; his death, ib. Mudge, Dr., experimental culture of Brazilian Cotton, 299. Mundgood, Mr. Simpson, report, 78, 365. Murray, Mr., his report on Cudda- pah, 343, 352. Muslins, Indian, stoppage of de- mand, 3. Mysore, 9; elevation above the sea, 329; mode of the Cotton trade, 365. Nadum Cotton—inferior sort of In- dian Cotton, 20, Nagpore, 292. Nankin, 288. Natchez, Captain Bayles’ visit there, 35; its temperature, 107. Native Cotton—See Indian Cot- ton. Negapatam, method to increase the cultivation of Cotton, 292. Negroes, employed in cleaning Cot- ton, 143; picking the Cotton, 153. ‘Neilgherries, 299. Nellore, 9; a grazing district, 296. Nelson, Mr., reports upon the work- ing of the Cottage saw gin. Newill, Mr., 302. New Orleans, a Cotton cleaner sent to Madras Presidency from, 34. New Orleans Cotton, 20, 21; com- pared with Indian and Bourbon, 22; opinion of Mr Morris re- garding it, 40; manner of sowing, 49; report of the Brokers upon the samples, 59; its trial as a biennial plant, 64; successfully cultivated in Dharwar, 76; ap- proval of Dr. Wight’s sample, 92 ; high temperature required, 111; treatment of the plant as an an- nual, 117; insignificance of the cultivation of the Ryots, 124; Mr. Finnie’s opinion about its growth in Tinnevelly, 127; his object in cultivating it, 182; ex- tent of land in India under its cultivation, 159; its cultivation at Courtallum, 161; Mr. Thomas recommends its cultivation, 194; Coimbatore suitable to its growth, 214; Dr. Wight offers high prices, 225; opinion of the Man- chester Association, 234; Dr. Wight cultivates by irrigation, 242; the action of the Cottage gin, 247; objections of the spin- ners, 276; successfully cultivated on the Coromandel Coast, 279; the average height of the plant in Coimbatore, 359. Nizam, dominions of the, 4; Cotton exported to Canara, 364. North America—See America. North American Cotton, varieties of the, 20. Northern Circars—See Circars. Nullamalah mountain, 346. Nunjah land, its description, note to 236. INDEX. Oliphant, Mr. J., 287. Oodoomulcottah, a Cotton farm established, 46; description of the soul, 65. Oopum—See Indian Cotton. Ootacamund, Mr. Wroughton’s ex- periment, 66; enjoys both mon- soons, 68 ; amount of Cotton pro- duced by Mr. Wroughton, 72; cost of cultivation, 74. Overseers—See Planters. Pattikondu, talook of, 340. Paulghautcherry Pass, enjoys both monsoons, 68, 137, 356, Paupugny river, 346. Pelly, Mr., reports favourably upon Dharwar saw gin, 252, 253; his report upon the district of Bellary, 331—338. Pennar river, 346. People’s Park, failure of the Brazil- ian Cotton, 299; successful cul- ture of the Egyptian and Bour- bon variety, ib. Pernambuco, 20; successful culture on the Coromandel Coast, 279; experimental culture by Dr. Mudge, 299. Petit Gulph, Dr. Wight cultivates by irrigation, 242. Petrie, Mr., sent to superintend the repairs of the gins, 61; recom- mends to Mr. Finnie the Ceylon machinery, 169; his opinions about gins, 170; his best saw gin, 182. Philadelphia, 141. Planters, American, sent to India, 35; contemplated removal of them to the neighbourhood of Salem, 38; ordered to carry on their operations in Bellary and Tinnevelly, 86; four points neg- lected in their experiment in Coimbatore, 90; report upon the partial suitability of Indian cli- mate to American Cotton, 211. Planting, 151; Mr. Finnie’s opera- tions, 184; season for American varieties in Madras, 299; for Ih- lxiii dian Cotton in Madura, 310; in ie 323; in Cuddapah, 47. Ploughs, American, compared with Native ones, 54. Plough, Native, used in banking up the ridges, 52; compared with American ones, 54. Pottel soil, description, 317. Pottinger, Sir Henry, 28; succeeds the Marquis of Tweeddale, 203, 210; his neutral position between Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie, 212 ; insists upon his resolutions con- cerning the Cotton farms, 236, condemns Dr. Wight’s report, 282 ; recommends the withdrawal of the Government Agency, 283. Press, hand, 61; expenses, 156; recommended by Mr. Finnie, 190 ; sanctioned, 191." Press, Mr. Finnie’s cheap Cotton, 195. Prince, Mr., contracts to cultivate Cotton in Coimbatore, 241. Pruning, season for, note to 34. Pullicarny, Mr. Finnie’s report upon, 89. Pulney Hills, 137. Punjah land, description of, note to 235. Puttahdars—See Ryots. Rain, its effects upon Cotton shrub, 42; mean falls in the Carnatic, 109; in Madura, 307; in Tinne- velly, 320; in Bellary, note to 333; in Coimbatore, 357. Raipore, 292. Rajahmundry, description, note to 9; Cotton exported to Vizagapa- tam, 292. Reade, Mr. Charles, reports on the extent of Cotton cultivation in Chingleput, 297. Red Cotton, 294. Red Loam—Scee Red Soil. Regur—See Red Soil. Red Soil, description, 16; compared with Black Soil, 42; given to Dr. Wight, 48; result of the second lxiv INDEX. season upon, 55; suitable to American Cotton, 215; compara- tive growth of Indian and Ameri- can Cottons in Coimbatore, 266 ; the climate of North Arcot, 300; other crops grown,, 318, 355. Revenue, divisions, 9; systems, 10, 11; divisions of lands, 15 ; assist- ance to be given to the Ryots by the Establishment, 230. Revenue Board—See Board of Re- venue. Ridging, 49 ; its manner, 52; ques- tion about it, 54, 360, Royle, Dr., queries on Indian Cot- ton, 18; his description of the Cotton culture, 23; his opinion on the climate of Dharwar and Coimbatore, 211. Rundall, Mr., draws a memorial upon Cotton cultivation, 34. Ryots, 10; mode of their cultiva- tion, 23; their objection to cul- tivate Bourbon Cotton, 36; re- ceive instruction from American Planters, 37; their agreements with Dr. Wight, 44; season in which they sow seeds, 69; re- munerative demand required for the growth of Cotton, 73; their opinion about the Cotton Estab- lishments, 79; extension of the improved method of cultivation among them, 84; their reluctance to adopt the saw gin, 85; sowing season for them, 106; plans for extending the American Cotton culture amongst them, 119; ad- vantages arising from an Agent, 129; their unwillingness to adopt the saw gin, 130; their co-opera- tion essential, 134; Mr. Finnie’s first intercourse with them, 135, 186; reduction of assessment not beneficial, 160; visit the scene of Mr. Finnie’s operations at Aroo- poocottah, 173; his transaction with Brokers, Chetties, and Agents, 175; improvident and helplessly in debt, 176; high prices demanded for seed Cotton, 180; their dealings with Dr. Wight, 213; the Marquis of Tweddale’s suggestion to estab- lish some model fields, 2193 manufacturers should purchase directly from them, 221; assist- ance allowed from the Revenue establishment, 2380; free use of the gin-house, 233; resume all the lands that Dr. Wight had contracted, 241 ; prices of Cottage saw gins to, 250; Mr. Thomas’ method to induce them to culti- vate American Cotton, 158; dis- cussion respecting the purchase of American Cotton, 260; cultivate American Cotton in Coimbatore, 264; their previous reluctance to cultivate American Cotton con- nected with the existence of Cot- ton farms, 265; their successful culture of American Cotton, 266; adopt Dr. Wight’s practice of cultivation, 268; their groundless suspicions an injury to the farms, 285; their method of preparing the Cotton seed, 308. Ryotwary system, 13; its advant- ages, 14. Salem, 9; introduction of Bourbon Cotton, 33; arrival of the Plant- ers, 88; failure of the culture of Brazilian Cotton by Mr. Fischer, 299; extent of land under Cotton cultivation, 353. Saw gin, American, description of, 26; trial, 34, 45; reluctance of the Ryots to adopt it, 85, 130; Mr. Finnie’s first year’s proceed- ings, 141; second year's proceed- ings, 163 ; its unfitness for Indian Cotton, 170; erection of three at Aroopoocottah, 173 ; necessity for improving the construction, 182; Mr. Finnie’s third year’s opera- tions, 187; cost of cleaning Cot- ton, 188; Mr. Finnie’s matured oe against its use, 204; r. Wight’s opinion, 210; Mr. Finnie’s last opinion, 238, INDEX. Saw gin, Dharwar, favourable re- ports, 252; its working compared, 258 Saw gin, Manchester Cottage, note to 26; description, 245; its trial upon various Cottons, 247; ex- penses, 248; Dr. Wight’s favour- able report, 249; prices to Natives and Europeans, 250; its working compared, 253; cost of labour, 254, Saw gin, Whitney’s, note to 26. Scinde, 229. Scraping—See Hoeing. : Sea detent Cotton, 20; places where it is cultivated, 21; opinion of Mr. Morris, 40; manner of sow- ing, 49; treated as a biennial plant in Egypt, 64; Mr. Finnie’s opinion about its growth in Tin- nevelly, 127 ; Directors send some seed, 235; Dr. Wight cultivates by irrigation, 242; successful cul- tivation on the Coromandel Coast, 279. Sedashegur river, 365. Senna, Mr. Hughes’, 33. Sevacausey, Mr. Finnie’s planting operations failed, 161; erection of a cattle-driving machinery, 167; sanction for the erection of a gin- house, 171 ; unsuccessful culture of American Cotton, 185; Cotton plantation established by Mr. Fin- nie, 203; gin-house and driving machinery erected, 207; Mr. Fin- nie’s opinion concerning the gins, 238. Sherman, Mr. Henry, succeeds Mr. Hawley, 46; exchanges Cotton farm with Mr. Morris, note to 65 ; Sir H. Pottinger directs him to be placed at the disposal of the Col- lector of Coimbatore, 232, Shevel Soil—See Red Soil. Shubrick, Mr., his successful cultiva- tion of the Egyptian varieties, 298. Silver, Mr., his report upon Cotton cultivation in Tinnevelly, 326; his replies to the queries of Sir W. Denison, 327. lxv Simpson, Mr., comes to Madras, 35 ; sent to Tinnevelly, 37; removed to Coimbatore, 39; his report on the districts of North Canara, 76 ; his opinion in the failure of the Coimbatore farms to extend the culture of American Cotton, 79; recommends the appointment of a practical person to distribute seeds and exhibit gins, 80; his suggest~ ions approved, 81; his transfer to Bombay, ib.; his opinion about Kunkur, note to 113; is permit- ted to act as Cotton Agent by the Bombay Government, 139. Sirsee, Mr. Simpson proceeds to, 76. Soondah, Mr. Simpson ordered to aes on the soil, 76; his report, Soopah, Mr. Simpson ordered to re- port on the soil, 76; his report, 78. South American Cotton, its varieties, Sowing, 40; American system, 49, 50; season, 69, 92; Mr. Lees’ error as regards it, 280; method adopted in Madura, 310; in Tin- nevelly, 323; in Bellary, 336; in Cuddapah, 349. Spinners, trial of the churkaed Cot- ton with the ginned, 216; object to the soft silky fibre of the New Orleans Cotton, 276. Tanjore, 9; Capt. Lawford explains the experiment by irrigation to the Natives, 111; the Collector assists Dr, Wight in the planta- tion of American Cotton, 216; the Collector reports favourably upon the Cottage saw gin, 251; Colonel Lawford’s cultivation by irrigation, 256; Cotton imported from Madura and Tinnevelly, 803. Taylor, Captain, refutes the object- ion raised against Bourbon Cot- ton, note to 36. Taylor, Rev. W., note to 299. Tennessee,. 143. lxvi INDEX. Tetley, Mr., reports upon samples of Cotton, 43, 45. Thomas, Mr. E, B., supports the re- commendation of Mr. Finnie’s to hand-threshers and presses, 191 ; believes that Cotton was not adul- terated by design, 192; recom- . mends the cultivation of New Orleans Cotton, 193; delivered up all lands under cultivation to the Ryots, 241; his method to induce the Ryots to cultivate American Cotton, 258; his re- port upon Coimbatore, 854—362. Thornhill, Mr., describes the stage of the Cotton experiment in Krist- na, 294. Thresher, its description, 27; Mr. Finnie recommends its use, 131 ; his first year’s proceedings with it, 141; second year’s proceedings, 163; erection of one at Aroopoo- cottah, 173; Mr. Finnie’s third year’s. operations, 187; cost of cleaning Cotton, 188. Thresher, hand, recommended by Mr. Finnie, 190; sanctioned, 191; Sir Henry Pottinger sanctions the establishment, 225. Tinnevelly, 9; description of the . soil, 16; one of the principal Cot- ton districts, 17; introduction of: Bourbon Cotton, 33; trial of American saw gin, 34; establish- ment of a Cotton farm, ib. ; three American Planters located, 37; Planters removed, 38; proposed operations of the Planters, 86; Mr. Finnie despatched, 89; his first impressions of it, 127; amount of shipment of Cotton every year, 129; Madras Mer- chants establish Agents, 162; Mr. Finnie’s proposal for the erection of a gin-house and cattle driving machinery, 166; Mr. Finnie’s notes on the peculiarities of the Cotton trade, 175—178; stage of the Cotton experiments, 183; meeting of the Cotton Brokers, 187; no market or Agency required, 193; scarcity of timber, 207; good crops of Amerian Cotton obtained by Mr. Hughes, 211; hand threshers are allowed, 225; Mr. Finnie’s departure, 237; Mr. Lees’ cultivation, 259; discussion concerning the purchase of Ameri- can Cotton from the Ryots, 260; Mr. Leés’ partial success, 280; failure of the experiment of Egyptian Cotton by the Collector, 298 ; Cotton exported to Tanjore, 303; detailed report from Mr, Mayne, 318; of soil, 314—318; geology and topography, 319; climate, 320; seed, 321; charac- ter of the Cotton plant, 322; mode of cultivation, 323 ; manure, 324; diseases, 325. Tinnevelly Cotton, Finnie’s, 196; Dr. Wight’s report, 198, 211; the action of the Cottage gin upon it, 247. ; Tinnevelly Cotton, Hughes’, 33,372. Travancore, 9, 133, 368. Travers, Mr., 302. Trichindore, efforts of Messrs. Long- shaws, 281. Trichinopoly, 9; quantity of Cotton and mode of cultivation, 302. Tuddey river, 365, Turner, Mr. Aspinall, reports the opinions of the Manchester Asso- ciation regarding Mr. Finnie’s Cotton, 202. Tuticorin, existence of Agency sys- tem, 193; consumption of good Cotton, 205; Jaffna driving ma- chinery bought, 207; the Agents report that good Cotton had been brought in abundance, 215; the principal sea-port, 313, 327. Tweeddale, Marquis of, modifica- tion of the Cotton experiment, 28 ; succeeds Lord Elphinstone, 67 ; approves the suggestions of Mr. Simpson, 81; submits some ueries to Dr. Wight, 82; is in avour of the reduction of assess- ment of lands under American Cotton cultivation, 122; submits INDEX. some queries to Mr. Finnie, 142; recommends Mr, Finnie’s visiting England, 186; is succeeded by Sir Henry Pottinger, 203, 210; his views upon the experimental farms, 218—221; purposes to es- tablish some model fields, 224. United States, 92. % Upland Cotton, 20, 127, 273. Veppel soil, description, 316. Vera Cruz, temperature of, 107, Verdooputty, uusuccessful culture of American Cotton, 185. Village Joint Rent System, 10; evils arising from it, 14 ; its dura- tion, 15. Virginia, first trial of the growth of Cotton, 143, Vizagapatam, 9 ; rate of assessment, note to 15; establishment of a Cotton farm, 34; insufficiency of the Cotton, 292; Cotton yarn im- ported from Calcutta, ib. Wallajapet, Cotton imported from Bellary, 330. Weavers, Native, their rivalry with Cotton manufacturers, 31; object to the soft silky fibre of the New Orleans Cotton, 276. Wedderburn, Mr., reports on the present state of Cotton cultivation in Cuddapah, 242. ‘Weeds, manner of removing, 52, 53; found in Cuddapah, 346. West Indian Cotton—See Bourbon Cotton. White Cotton, 331. Whitney’s saw gin, note to 26; its working, 31. Wight, Dr., 28; appointed to re- port on the state of agriculture in South India, 34; succeeds Capt. Hughes, 41; his plan of opera- tions, 44; his tour through Coim- batore District, ib.; draws up notes upon American system of culture, 48; his remarks upon hoeing, 51; upon ploughing and x lxvii ridging, 54; upon the growth of several plants, 56; his Cotton meets the approbation of the Di- rectors, 57; points out the causes of the unfavourable results of his third season, 62; his experiment of treating the Cotton plant as a biennial, 64; determines to’ re- move his farms, 66; his opinion upon the localities bordering Dharwar, 76; his answers to the guerie of the Marquis of Tweed- ale, 82; his new Cotton farms in Coimbatore, 90; his reply to the suggestion of the Manchester Association, 93 5, his notes on the adaptation of the American plant to the Indian seasons, 95, 118; his plan for extending American culture among the Kyots, 119; applies for the reduction of Assess- ment on lands under American Cotton cultivation, 121; proposes to establish a number of small farms at Coimbatore, 125; his labours compared with those of Mr. Finnie, 126; sends saw gins to Mr. Finnie, 131; requests the Madras Government to order Mr. Finnie to assist him in completing the Directors’ order, 138 ; supports Mr. Finnie in the purchase of cattle driving machinery, 167; recommends to Mr. Finnie the Ceylon Machinery, 169; his re- port on Mr. Finnie’s sample, 198 ; his system of purchase compared with that of Mr. Finnie, 200; breach between him and Mr. Fin- nie, 210; recommends the re- moval of Mr. Finnie, 211; ap- proves of Mr. Finnie’s proceed- ings, 214; his explanations to Mr. Finnie, 216; ascribes the fail- ure in Coimbatore to the want of humidity, 229; the East Indian lads under him ordered to go to Tinnevelly, 231; Sir H. Pottin- ger directs him to break up his establishment in Coimbatore, 232 ; visits Madras, 235; applies to be Ixviii permitted to sow and gather one crop more, 236; reversal of the order of Sir H. Pottinger by the Directors respecting tim, 237, 239, 240; cultivates American Cotton by irrigation, 242; post- ponement of his report, 243; re- ports favourably upon the Cottage saw gin, 249; compares the work- ing of Dharwar gin, Cottage gin, and hand gin, 253; forwards the application of Mr. Bird to Govern- ment, 260; completion of his final report, 262; his final report, | 263, 281; his report condemned by the Madras Government, 282; | his protest against the conclusions of the Madras Government, 284 ; his retirement, 287. Wool, Cotton, growing demand, 31; statistics of the importation, ib. ; supplies from the Godavery Dis- INDEX. trict, 84; amount produced by Dr. Wight, 63; oe pro duce, 83; difficulty of the Natives in procuring, 277; its weight in Madura, 310; in Tinnevelly, 328 ; in Bellary, 336. . Wroughton, Mr., his experiment at . Coimbatore, and Ootacamund, 66 ; " causes of the success of the Cot- ton experiment, 67; cost of culti- vation incurred, 74; his success upon sandy brown loams, 90; in- forms Dr. Wight of the offered remission of reduction in 1833, 121; goes to Europe, 257. Zemindars, account of, 12 ; purchase two gins, 164. Zemindary lands, 15. Zemindary system, 12; objections against it, 12; evils arising from it, 14. 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