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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
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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. A. Robinson, Esq., of Madras.
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XXX1
VI.
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.
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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.
THE END,
JOHN CHILDS AND §0N, PRINTERS.
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