LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. Class n the lied by ttra charge. ^ \ interleaved ana hound copies, ext II. A NEW EDITION OF THAT SCARCE WORK Abbe du Bois on the People of India, Edited by the Rev. G. U. POPE, of Ootacamund, one large octavo vol., clear type. Norton's Topics of Jurisprudence, OR AIDS TO THE OFFICE or TUB INDIAN JUDGE, Part 2d, completing the Work. IV. J. Talboys Wheeler's Handbook to the Cotton Cultiva- tion of the Madras Presidency. 8vo. with illustrations, price 4 Rupees per Copy. *V V Cotton Map of the Madras Presidency : Comprising all the Districts, Marts, Roads, Railways, Canals, Rivers and Ports with coloured representation of all the Cotton growing localities, to illustrate the Hand-book to the Cotton Cultivation by J. TALBOYS WHEELER. ' Size of the Map 3 X 3J- feet. Price 5 Rs. per Copy in Sheets, Mounted on Cloth, and on Rollers will form an extra charge. VI. Colebrook's Digest of Hindu Law, Edited by Mr. MARCAR, Principal Sudr Ameen of Chittoor. VII. 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LIFE AND TRAVELS OF HERODOTUS, in the Fifth Century before Christ : an Imaginary Biography founded on fact, illustrative of the history, manners, religion, literature, arts, and social condition of the Greeks, Egyptians, Persians, Babylonians, Hebrews, Scythians, and other ancient nations, in the days of Pericles and Nehemiah, 2 vols. post 8vo. Price Rs. 14. Analysis and Summary of Old Testament History, post 8vo. seventh edition, New Testament History, post 8vo. fourth edition. Herodotus, post 8vo. second edition. Thucydides, post 8vo. second edition. Price Rs. 3-8 each volume. NEARLY READY. COTTON MAP TO THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY ; exhibiting on the same scale as Major SCOTT'S Map (24 miles to the inch) a full and com- plete delineation of all the Cotton Districts, Cotton marts, roads, canals, rivers a^d ports in the Madras Presidency ; together with coloured re- presentations of localities capable of producing Cotton. HAND-BOOK TO THE COTTON CULTIVATION MADRAS PRESIDENCY: EXHIBITING THE PRINCIPAL CONTENTS OF THE VARIOUS PUBLIC RECORDS AND OTHER WORKS CONNECTED WITH THE SUBJECT IN A CONDENSED AND CLASSIFIED FORM, IN ACCORDANCE WITH A RESOLUTION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA. BY J. TALBOIS WHEELER, LI AUTHOR OF AN " ANALYSIS AND SUMMARY OF HERODOTUS," AN "ANALYSIS ANB TJMMARY OF THUCYDIDE/' ETC. MADRAS: JT. HIGGINBOTHAM. 1862. B PRINTED BY PHAROAH AND CO., ATHENJErM PRESS, MOUNT ROAD. PENERAL 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 peru- sal and reference. The necessity for such a condensation, will he trusts, prove a sufficient apology to the many distin- guished writers, whose minutes, reports, and correspondence have been thus abridged and arranged in a continuous nar- rative. In the last Chapter however, which exhibits the present condition of the Cotton culture in the Madras Presi- dency, it has been deemed expedient to present the reader with full extracts from the letters of the Collectors of the several Districts, rather than with abstracts ; as the subject matter appears to be of greater importance, inasmuch as it refers to the present condition and prospects of the country. The large Cotton Map of the Madras Presidency, which was to have accompanied the present volume, is very nearly ready, and will be published in the course of two or three weeks. It is being executed on the same scale as Major Scott's Map (24 miles to the inch), and will comprise a full and complete delineation of all the Cotton districts, marts, roads, canals, rivers and ports in the Madras Presidency, together with a coloured representation of localities capable of producing Cotton. This Map has been prepared in the De- partment of Public Works, and the writer cannot but express his sense of the intelligence and zeal displayed by Mr. DAVID 104784 VI PREFACE. Ross, the compiler, in the prosecution of his elaborate and exhaustive task. The Map is being carefully copied on stone by Mr. BARREN, under the superintendence of Mr. DUMPHY. When completed it may be obtained at the publishers, Mr. HIGGINBOTHAM'S and Messrs. PHAROAH and Co., in the Mount Road. MADRAS, -\ llth March, 1862. j J. T. W. CONTENTS. CHAPTER X. GENERAL VIEW OF THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY, AND OF THE IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRED IN INDIAN COTTON. Page. Hand-Book to the Cotton Cultivation of each Presidency ordered by the Government of India .... .... 3 Method pursued in drawing up the present[Hand-Book to the Madras Presidency .... .... , . . , 4 Three objects sought by the East India Company with reference to Cotton .... .... .... .... .... 5 Boundaries of the Madras Presidency .... .... ib. 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 .... .... .... .... ib. Climate of the Madras Presidency and Cotton States of North America compared : reversal of Seasons .... 8 Revenue Divisions of the Madras Presidency. ... .... .... ib' Revenue systems of the Madras Presidency : based upon the Village Communities .... .... 9 Three Revenue systems : 1st, Village joint rent system . . .... 11 2nd, The Zemindary system , . .... 5. 3rd, The Ryotwary system .... 12 Advantages of the Ryotwary tenure over the Zemindary tenure and the Village joint rent system .... ib. Revenue division of lands ; Government, Zemindary, and Inam 13 Nature and extent of the Cotton soil of India 9 ib. Four great Cotton Districts : Bellary and Cuddapah to the North Coimbatore and Tinnevelly to the South 14 Statistics of the Cotton growing Districts .... 15 Review of the three improvements required in the Indian Cotton .... ib. Vlll CONTENTS. Page. 1st, Better variety of Cotton : general classification of Indian and Ame- rican Cotton , .... 16 Six leading varieties of Cotton, viz., Indian, Bourbon, New Orleans, Pernambuco, Egyptian, and Sea Island .... 17 Indian, Bourbon, and New Orleans Cotton compared . . .... 18 2nd, Better system of Cultivation : Indian and American agriculture compared ........ .... ib. 3rd, Better method of separating and cleaning the Cotton : (1) The Foot Roller 19 (2) The Native Churka , .... 20 (3) The American Saw Gin ...... .... . . . , ib. (4) The Thresher 21 Division of the subject matter of the present Hand-Book . . .... 22 Twelve years of Cotton Experiments, divisible into three periods of four years each .... 23 Specialities of the several Chapters. ... .... 24 CHAPTER II. FOUR YEARS OF EXPERIMENTAL CULTURE UNDER DR. WIGHT AND THE AMERICAN PLANTERS, 1841 TO 1845. Stoppage of demand for Indian muslins and calicoes, but gi owing de- mand for Cotton wool. ... .... .... 27 Early efforts to extend and improve Indian Cotton .... 28 Introduction of Bourbon Cotton into the Madras Presidency ib. Mr. Metcalfe, an American Cotton cleaner, sent to the Presidency, 1813 : efforts of the Madras Government, 1819-1836 ib. Ten American Planters sent to India, 1840 .... 30 Preva'ling opinions upon Cotton cultivation in the Madras Presidency. 31 Three Planters located in Tinnevelly, October 1840 .... .... 32 Contemplated removal of the Planters to the neighbourhood of Mr. Fischer's establishment at Salem. ... .... .... 33 First Season, 1841-42 : commenced under Captain Hughes. . . . ib. Reported failure in consequence of a heavy monsoon, January 1842 . . 34 Sudden renovation of the crop : Dr. Wight succeeds Captain Hughes. 35 Relative effects of the Monsoon, the Drought, and the Rain upon the Cotton shrub : difference between the Red and Black soils, . il. CONTENTS. IX Page. Results of the Season of 1841-42.... .... 36 Dr. Wight's plan of operations : introduction of American Culture more important than that of American Cotton .... 37 Early trials of the American saw gin. ... ib. Second Season, 1842-43 : arrangement of the four Experimental Farms. 38 Three varieties of land, viz., Black, Red and Alluvial . . . . ib. Distribution of soil amongst the four Farms : method of cultivation. . 39 DR. WIGHT'S NOTES. Drill husbandry : land ploughed and cast in ridges, eight or ten inches high, at intervals of about five feet ib. Sowing in a furrow of about two inches deep along the centre of each ridge..., .... .... 40 Scraping out of superfluous plants and weeds ib. Banking up'the ridges, first with the plough and afterwards with the hoe.... ' .... .... .... 41 Keeping down extraneous vegetation until the crop ripens ib. Native ploughs and American ploughs compared : question of whether American Cotton would thrive without ridging .... 42 Results of the second season on the Black, Red, and Alluvial soils, 1842-43 ... .... ib. Comparison of^the growth of the Indian, New Orleans, and Bourbon Cotton 43 Reports of English Brokers on Dr. Wight's Cotton. ... 44 Oopum (Indian) Cotton ib. New Orleans , ib. Bourbon , .... ib. Third season, 1843-44 : state of the Cotton Farms, Gins, and Gin- house , ib. Unfavorable results : their causes . . , , 45 Comparison of the crops of the third season with those of the second. . ib- Fourth season, 1844-45 : experiment of treating the plant as a biennial. 46 Comparative produce of the four seasons .... *..... 47 General result of the four seasons of the experimental Farms : neces- sity for a rotation of crops , 48 Causes of the success of Mr. Wroughton's Cotton experiment. ib. 1st, Influence of both monsoons .... , . 49 X CONTENTS. Page. 2nd, Early preparation and sowing .... 50 Drought and Grate the only dangers to be avoided ib. Question of manure .... 51 Three advantages possessed by India over America in the cultivation of American Cotton. ... .... .... ib. Remunerative demand alone required in India. ... .... .... & Cost of cultivation ...... .... .... .... 52 Further proceedings of the fourth season, 1844-45 .... 53 Mr. Simpson's report on the districts of North Canara, bordering on Dharwar .... .... .... .... .... ....&. Soondah: unfavorable from the presence of " Kunkur". ... .... 54 Soopah : soil favorable but climate unfavorable .... ib. Mr. Simpson's opinion on the failure of the Coimbatore Farms to ex- tend the culture of American Cotton ib. Recommended the appointment of a practical person to distribute seed and exhibit the gins .... .... 55 Approval of Mr. Simpson's suggestions : his transfer to the Bombay Presidency .... .... ib. Dr. Wight's answers to the queries of the Marquis of Tweeddale .... 56 Superiority of the American Cotton to the Indian ib. Extension of the improved methods of cultivation among the Ryots . . ib. Reluctance of the Ryots to adopt the saw gin .... 57 CHAPTER III. FOUR YEARS OF EXPERIMENTAL CULTURE UNDER DR. WIGHT IN COIMBATORE, 1845 TO 1849. Position of the Cotton experiment in 1845 61 New arrangements .... .... .... .... .... 62 Mr. Morris reports unfavourably of Bellary : his death ib. Mr. Finnic reports unfavorably of the Madras district : dispatched to Tinnevelly .... ib. Dr. Wight> New Cotton Farms in Coimbatore, 1845 : four points neglected in the previous experiments .... .... 63 Results of four successive seasons on a new Farm, 1845-49 64 Suggestions of the Manchester Association respecting sowing in May and on low soils . , 65 CONTENTS. Xi Page. Dr. Wight's reply : 1st, July is the best time for sowing. ... .... 66 2nd, Low Alluvial soils had proved a failure, but low lands near the Coast were under trial. ... .... 67 DR. WIGHT'S NOTES. Habits of the American Plant .... .... .... ib- Four seasons of the American Plant.... 68 Adaptation of the habits of the American plant to the Indian seasons.. 69 1st, Seasons on the eastern side, under the north-east monsoon .... ib. Monthly mean temperature and mean falls of rain in the Carnatic 70 Cotton cultivation under the north-east monsoon, sowing in September, ib. 2nd, Seasons on the western side, under the south-west monsoon 71 Cotton cultivation under the south-west monsoon, sowing in May. . . . ib. 3rd, Intermediate regions under both the north-east and south-west monsoons 72 Cotton cultivation under both monsoons, sowing in July. ... .... ib. Large experiment in early sowing throughout the Cotton Districts in the Madras Presidency .... 73 First Result : India not too hot, but too cold. . . , , . . . . . ib. Theory confirmed by a comparison of the temperature of Madras with that of Vera Cruz, Mobile and Natchez 74 Rising temperature in America, but diminishing temperature in India during the growing season 75 Second Result : Carnatic not too dry, confirmed by a comparison of mean rain fall .... 76 Two methods of cultivating American Cotton in India : adaptation of seasons, and artificial irrigation ...... .... ib. Experiments in irrigation, securing a rising temperature to the grow- ing plant .... 77 Five practical suggestions ...... .... 78 1st, Choice of soil .... .... ib. 2nd, Preparation of the land for the seed ... . . . 9 ib. 3rd ,Plouging and hoeing during the growing season 79 4th, Distance between the rows * , , ib, 5th, Treatment of the plant as an annual and rotation of crops .... 80 Profitable cultivation of American Cotton throughout the Peninsula. . ib, Xli CONTENTS. Page. Plans for extending the American Cotton Culture amongst the Ryots 1845-49 ib. Court of Directors order 6000 bales of East India Cotton, 1845 81 Proposition for reducing the assessment of lands under American Cotton cultivation ib. Marquis of Tweeddale in favour of the remission .... 82 Court of Directors decide against the remission 83 Failure of the purchase system as regarded American Cotton, 1848.. . ib. Contemplated establishment of a number of small Farms 84 CHAPTER ZV. FOUR YEARS OF EXPERIMENTAL CULTURE UNDER MR. FINNIE IN TINNEVELLY, 1845 TO 1849. Labours of Mr. Finnic and Dr. Wight compared. ... 91 First season, 1845-46 : Mr. Finnie's first impressions of Tinnevelly . ... 92 Suggestion, that by acting as a Cotton Agent, he could induce the Ryots to adopt the new culture ....?... ..,.., 93 An Agency would also increase the profits of both Ryots and Mer- chants, and double the exports .... ib. Nothing however would induce the Ryots to adopt the American Saw gin , 94 The thresher recommended 95 Three points in the career of Mr. Finnic : the New Orleans Cotton, the Agency, and the saw gin... . .... .... .... 96 Cultivation of Cotton : tour to Courtallum under both monsoons, June 1846.... .... .... #. Necessity for the co-operation of the Natives : employment of hired labour by the European always a loss .... . . . , 97 First intercourse with the Ryots : allays fears and suspicions. , ..,.., ib. Explains the improved method of culture to the Ryots .... .... 98 Mr. Finnie's tour from Courtallum to Coimbatore, July 1 846 .... ib. Preparations for assisting Dr. Wight in completing the Courts's order for 6000bales ... 99 Mr. Finnic permitted to act as Agent : restricted to Cotton ginned and prepared on the American principle, August .... ib, Restriction removed . .... .... CONTENTS. Xlll Page. Mr. Finnie's first year's proceedings with the Churka, Thresher, and Gin .... 100 Queries submitted to Mr. Finnie by the Marquis of Tweeddale 101 MR. FINNIE'S NOTES ON COTTON CULTIVATION. Early cultivation of Cotton in America : compared with the present cul- tivation in India .... .... ib. Climate discovered to be of more importance than soil 103 Nature of the lands in America on which the American plant is grown, ib. Manure : consisting of old stalks and rotten seed, buried in a furrow between the rows, , .... 104 Climate : very humid at night, but hot in the f day , .... ib. Rotation of crops : alternation with Indian corn occasionally neces- sary .... 105 Capital required in American cultivation. ... .... .... ib. Successive operations necessary to raise a crop : cleaning old land and clearing new. ... .... .... .... ib. Planting .... ...... 106 " Scraping " or hoeing , 107 Gathering ...... , . 108 Uncertainty of weather : average crops .... .... ib. Expenses of Cotton cultivation : produce estimated, not at so much per acre, but at four to eight bales per Negro 110 Machinery, Gin-house, Gins, Press, and Driving Machinery ib. Price of land : fluctuates with the price of Cotton. ... Ill Minimum price at which American Cotton could be produced, four pence per pound. ...., .... ..112 Prospects of India : labour in America and India compared ib. Reduction of the Indian land-tax on Cotton grounds would neither benefit the Ryot nor extend the culture 113 Mr. Finnie's second season, 1846-47: planting operations succeeded at Courtallum but failed at Sevacausey .... .... ....114 Mr. Finnie is disappointed as an Agent : proposal to employ Govern- ment Funds. ... .... .... .... 115 Mr. Finnie's second year's operations with the churka, thresher, and gin .... ib- xiv CONTENTS. Page. Sale of two gins to neighbouring Zemindars : their failure. 116 Cotton brokers rather than Zemindars should be induced to adopt the gin .... .... .... ....$ Mr. Finnie's proposals for erecting a Gin House and Cattle Driving Machinery in Tinnevelly 117 Purchase of cattle driving machinery sanctioned, relative cost of cattle labour and manual labour 118 Change in Mr. Finnie's views as regards the cattle driving machinery, ib. Mr. Finnie's explanation of his apparent inconsistencies 119 Mr. Finnie's general objections to the Gin discussed by Dr. Wight . . 121 Mr. Finnie's proposition for erecting a Gin-House of two stories : the lower one for the Driving Machinery, and the upper one for the Gins. 122 Hire of a temporary Gin-house at Aroopoocottah .... 123 Erection of three gins and a thresher : their effect upon theNatives . . 124 Testimony of the Brokers that dirty Cotton was more profitable than clean Cotton .... ib. 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. .... 125 The Ryot : improvident and helplessly in debt .... 126 The Broker : adulteration of the Cotton by the " Devil's dust" system ib. The Chitty : tricks played upon the European Agents 127 Conclusion of the season of 1846-47 : difficulties in the way of conduct- ing the ginning operations at Aroopoocottah 129 1st, High prices demanded by the Ryots for their seed Cotton. . ., < ; ib. 2nd, Heavy expenses of ginning .... 130 Necessity for improving the construction of the gin 132 Third season, 1847-48 : stage of the Cotton experiment in Tinnevelly.. ib. Planting operations : successful culture of American Cotton in the Courtallum valley ib. Unsuccessful culture at Sevacausey, Virdooputty, and Aroopoocottah. 133 Agency operations : Mr. Finnic requests permission to proceed to Eng- land to consult with the Cotton Manufacturers, . ,134 CONTENTS. XV Page. Operations with the churka, thresher, and gin : meeting of the Cotton brokers of Tinnevelly . ... .... .... .135 Cost of cleaning with the thresher and churka as compared with that of the gin $. Cost at which clean unadulterated Cotton might be supplied 136 Recommends the introduction of small hand threshers and cheap presses .... ...... .... ib Small hand threshers and presses sanctioned 137 Mr. Thomas believed that Cotton was not adulterated by design, and that good Cotton was often sent home ib. No market or Agency required in Tinnevelly 138 Cultivation of New Orleans Cotton, and improved cleaning, the main points ib. Mr. Finnie's design for a cheap Cotton press. , .... ib. Mr. Finnie's sample of churkaed Tinnevelly Cotton equal to American. 139 Madras Government refer the sample to Dr. Wight, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Court ef Directors ,. 141 Dr. Wight's report, Mr. Finnie's sample is " good Tinnevelly," which no one could mistake for American ...... ib. Large shipment of churkaed Cotton contrary to the orders of the Directors .... .... 142 Dr. Wight's system of purchase compared with that of Mr. Finnie... . 143 Madras Chamber of Commerce confirm Dr. Wight's valuation of Mr. Finnie's Cotton.... - 5 * Manchester Commercial Association pass a similar judgment upon the Cotton 144 Fourth season, 1848-49 : proposed extension of planting operations. . 145 Mr. Finnie's matured judgment against the culture of American Cot- ton or use of the American gin. ....... .... 146 Pronounces in favour of the Indigenous Cotton and Native Churka. . ib. Native Cotton should be first threshed, next churkaed, and finally cleaned by hand .... 14 * Erection of Mr. Finnie's Gin house and Driving Machinery at eva- causey ' 148 Relative cost of the Churka, the Hand-gin, and the Cattle-gin 149 Mr. Finnie refused permission to extend his operations to Coimbatore 150 XVI 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. Page. Marquis of Tweeddale succeeded by Sir Henry Pottinger : breach be- tween Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie ...,157 Mr. Finnie convinced of the folly of cultivating American Cotton in India : Dr. Wight recommends his removal .... 158 Points of the dispute : summary of the correspondence. . .... 160 Mr. Finnic to Dr. Wight, 7th November 1848 : " I have had great difficulties in ginning, but have induced many Natives to plant Ame- rican Cotton." .... .... ib. Dr. Wight to Mr. Finnie, 15th November j " Your purchase of Chur- kaed Cotton is illegal, your culture of American, Cotton unsatisfac- tory, and your ginning too expensive." .... 162 Mr. Finnic to Dr. Wight, 18th December: " My plans have all been approved by the authorities." 163 Dr. Wight's explanations, 30th January 1849 165 General opinions of the Madras Government and Court of Directors upon the Experimental Culture .... 167 Minute of the Marquis of Tweeddale in 1847 : 1st, To relinquish the Experimental Farm in Coimbatore . . .... $ 2nd, To establish small model fields, under a practical Agency, amongst the native cultivators. ... 169 3rd, To set up small gin establishments, and to keep up good roads to the ports .... .... .... .... #. Limits to Government agency : the Manufacturer should purchase direct from the Ryot .... 170 VIEWS OF THE COURT OF DIRECTORS. Despatch of the Court of Directors, 1848 171 1st, The (Jotton farm at Coimbatore may be relinquished : it has been proved that the right Cotton can be grown, and the price alone re- mains to be ascertained .... 1 72 2nd, " Agency confined to practical planters" may be tried on a small scale. . . .... 173 CONTENTS. XVU Page. VIEWS OF SIR HENRY POTTINGER. Minute of Sir Henry Pottinger, May 1849 173 The experimental Farms have been fully tried, and their continuance would be injurious ......... 174 American Cotton in any part of the Madras Presidency liable to failure 175 Causes of the failure of American Cotton : climate and soil ib. Dr. Wight ascribes the failure in Coimbatore to the want of humidity, but humidity does not mean rain. ... .... .... 176 The Ryots should now be left to themselves, with such aid as the Revenue Establishments may give ft. Mr. Finnic to remain in Tinnevelly till October, to instruct the East Indian lads in the use of the Gins, etc .... .... 177 Dr. Wight should break up his establishment in Coimbatore imme- diately .... .... .... ib. Gin-houses at Coimbatore and Aroopoocottah to be placed under the Collectors for the use of the Ryots ....178 Unfounded complaint of the Manchester Association : the Manchester merchants ought to help themselves .... .... ib. State of Dr. Wight's Farm at Coimbatore, May 1849 : 500 acres held by lease and 200 acres worked by contract 179 Application of Dr. Wight to be permitted to sow and gather one crop more : refused, June .... .... 180 Departure of Mr. Finnic from the Madras Presidency .... 182 Mr. Finnie'slast letter, July 1849 : The gins will always remain idle after Government ceases to use them ib. Decision of the Madras Government as regards Dr. Wight, reversed by the Court of Directors, September 184 Dr. Wight's services to be retained : Mr. Finnie's dispensed with. ... 185 State of the Farms at Coimbatore , 3 . . . . 186 Dr. Wight cultivates American Cotton by irrigation .... ib. Postponement of Dr. Wight's Cotton Report .... 187 1st, Mather's improved Churka. . .... .... *& 2nd, The Manchester Cottage saw Gin 188 XY111 CONTENT!. Page. Twenty-four Cottage saw gins received by the Madras Government, 1849 .... 189 Report of the Madras Chamber of Commerce : the working of the Cot- tage saw gin unsatisfactory % .... ib. Expense of the Cottage saw gin an insuperable bar to its employment in India 190 Dr. Wight reports favorably of the Cottage saw gin ib. Prices of the Cottage saw-gin to Natives and Europeans .... ib. Favorable report of the Collector of Tanjore : subsequently reversed. . 191 Favorable reports on the D bar war Saw- gin .... ib. Dr. Wight compares the working of the Dharwar gin, the Manchester Cottage gin, and the large Hand-gin .... 192 Relative cost of labour on the Churka, the Manchester Cottage Gin, and the large Hand-gins .... 193 Three year's progress in the Cotton experiment, 1850-52... . , . . ib. Colonel Lawford's cultivation by irrigation in Tatijore .... 194 Mr. Wroughton's Collectorate Farm at Coimbatore .... 1 95 Mr. Thomas's opinions upon the best method of inducing the Ryots to cultivate American Cotton ib. Cotton cultivation by Mr. David Lees in Tinnevelly : discussion con- cerning the Right of Chayroot renters .... .... .... 196 Discussion respecting the purchase of American Cotton on Govern- ment account from the Ryots of Tinnevelly 198 Authority for the purchases refused by the Madras Government. ... 199 Completion of Dr. Wight's report, May 1852 z'6. DR. WIGHT'S FIXAL REPORT. Stage of the Cotton experiment in 1849 .... .... ib. Improved prospects during 1850-51 and 1851-52... . 200 Previous reluctance of the Ryots to cultivate American Cotton con- nected with the existence of the Cotton Farms .201 Ryots encouraged by their own success to extend the cultivation il. Large results in 1850-51 and 1851-52.... .... ...... 202 Ryots adopt Dr. Wight's practice .... 203 Refutation of the theory that the climate and soil of India are unfitted for American Cotton .... .... #. CONTENT!. XIX Page. 1st, The theory is founded on the assumption that Indian Cotton has succeeded when the American has failed. ... .... .... 205 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 ... 204 Differences between India and the Mississippi do not prove that the soil of India is inimical to American Cotton ib. Soil of Southern India better compared with that of Georgia 205 Climate of Southern India not so congenial as that of Georgia : evil obviated by sowing in August or September ib. Leading principles of Cotton culture in the Carnatic : sowing before the north-east monsoon, and selection of soil ... .... .... 206 Objection of native spinners to the soft silky fibre of the New Orleans Cotton.... .... 207 Difficulty of separating the seed, and prejudice against the seed as food for cattle .... .... . . . , , . , t'&. Nothing wanted to secure a rapid extension of the American Cotton culture, but a steady market and moderate competition .......... 208 Cotton cultivation on the Coromandel coast : New Orleans, Sea Island, Egyptian, and Brazilian ft t Partial success of Mr. David Lees on the sandy coast lands of Tinne- velly : error as regards deep sowing 209 Sandy soils along the Coromandel coast adapted to the cultivation of American Cotton ...,., #. Sir Henry Pottinger's Government condemns Dr. Wight's report. ... 21Q Recommends, that as the Farms had proved injurious, and that as the Agency was no longer necessary, all Government intervention should be withdrawn .... 211 Dr. Wight's protest against the conclusions of the Madras Govern- ment .... #. 1st, TheGovernmentFarms had not proved injurious, but the groundless suspicions of the Ryots . . . . .... .... .... ib. 2d,The Government Agency had not proved unnecessary, ai it remov- ed the suspicions of the Ryot* .... . , , . , ... 212 XX CONTENTS. Page. Retirement of Dr. Wight : Final Despatch of the Court of Directors 1853.. >.. . 213 CHAPTER VI. PRESENT CONDITION OF THE COTTON CULTURE IN THE SEVERAL DISTRICTS OF THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. 1853-62. Stage of the Cotton experiment, 1853-62 217 Survey of the present Cotton cultivation in the Madras Presidency. . . . ib. 1st, NORTHERN CIRC ARS, four Districts.. .. .... ..,.218 (l)Ganjam: produce inconsiderable but easily increased by money advances .... ib. (2) Vizagapatam : Cotton grown insufficient for home consumption and not remunerative .... . . . . *b. (3) Godavari : Cotton supply larger but insufficient for the wants of the District .... .... .... 219 (4) Kristna : large Cotton supply .... ib. 2nd, EASTERN PLAIN OF THE CARNATIC : eight Districts. .. .... 220 (1) Nellore: a grazing District .... .... 221 (2) Madras : Native Cotton not grown .... .... ib. Experiments in Foreign Cotton : Mr. Shubrick's successful cultivation of the Egyptian variety .... ib, Experimental culture of the Brazil or Pernambuco variety by Dr. Mudge 222 (3) North Arcot : Red soil, and consequently no Indian Cotton .... 224 (4) South Arcot : inconsiderable quantity of Indian Cotton .... ib. (5) Trichinopoly : quantity of Cotton inconsiderable : mode of cultiva- tion. .... .... .... ib. (6) Tanjore : Soil not favourable without irrigation, and with irriga- tion the cultivation of rice is preferred .... .... 225 (7) Madura : detailed report from the Collector .... 226 Soil .... ib. Geology and topography. , ., .... 227 Climate ib. Seed used and whence obtained .... .... ib. Character of the Cotton Plant. . , 228 CONTENTS. XXI Page. Mode of cultivation, time of flowering, weight of Cotton wool per acre. 228 Manure , .... .. .... 229 Diseases . . *& (8) Tinnevelly : Mr. Mayne's detailed report .... ib. Soil .... ib. 1st, The Caresal, or Black soil .... ib. 2nd, The Veppel, or Black and Sandy soil 230 3rd, The Pottel, or stiff clayey soil .... ib. 4th, The Shevel, or Red soil .... ib. Geology and topography ...... . . .... ib. Climate .... 231 Seed used and whence obtained. ... .... 233 Character of the Cotton plant .... .... ib. Mode of Cultivation, time of flowering, weight of Cotton wool per acre, etc.,.. .... .... . ...'& Manure .... .... .... ib t Diseases.... .... .,.. .... .... 234 Mr. Silver's Report .... ib. Queries of Sir William Denison, with Mr. Silver's replies... .... ib. Letter from Mr. Hardy, European Agent at Tuticorin. . . .... 237 3rd, CENTRAL TABLE-LAND: five Districts... . . . . . .... 238 (1) Bellary : detailed report from the Collector .... 339 Soil ib. Geology and topography .... .... . . . . t ttt 240 Climate .... .... , 241 Seed used and whence obtained ..,. .... ft. Nature and character of the Cotton .... .... %. Method of cultivation, time of flowering, and weight of Cotton wool per acre, etc.... .... .... ....#. Manure .... 243 Diseases .... . . . . ib. (2.) Kurnool : a Cotton growing District , . . , ib. Cost of transit : the sole obstacle to increased production. . ib. Improvements in the quality must be effected by the Merchants ftiem- selves .... .... 244 (3) Cuddapah : present state of Cotton as reported by Mr. Wedder- burn the Collector,. . 245 XX11 CONTENTS. Page. Detailed report by Mr. Murray, the previous Collector 246 Soil .... ib* Weeds .... .... . . . . ib. Geology and topography .... 247 Climate ib. Seed used and whence obtained .... .... . . .... 248 Character of the Cotton plant .... ib. Mode of cultivation, time of flowering, weight of Cotton wool per acre, etc.... .... .... 249 Manure . . . . ib. Diseases .... .... .... .... . . . . ib . (4) Salem : Messrs. Fischer and Co , the only exporters .... .... 250 (5) Coimbatore : detailed report of Mr. Thomas, the Collector .... ib. Soil : Black, Red, and Alluvium ib. Geology and topography. ... .... 251 Climate .... 252 Seed used and whence obtained .... .... 253 Character of the Cotton plant .... .... ib. Mode of cultivation, time of flowering, weight of Cotton wool per acre, etc.... .... .... 254 Manure .... 257 Diseases .... .... . . . , ib. 4th, WESTERN STRIP OR MALABAR COAST : three districts ib. (1) North Canara : not a Cotton producing District. ....... . . . , ib. Report of the District Engineer on the experimental culture of Mr. Kleinknecht 258 (2) South Canara : not a Cotton producing District 259 (3) Malabar : not a Cotton producing District , .... ib. Native States : Mysore, Cochin, and Travancore .... 260 Conclusiofi : general results .... .... ib. Four general conclusions .... . . . . .... ib. 1st, American Cotton can be grown, but the profit is questionable. . . . 261 2nd, Indian Cotton may be improved, but only to a degree, , . . , . , , 262 CONTENTS. XXlli Page. 3rd, American Cotton must always command a higher price than In- dian .... .263 4th, The demand for Indian Cotton must always depend upon the sup- ply of American .... .... .... .... ib. Political and commercial prospects of Indian Cotton .... 264 APPENDIX. Pa ye. Appendix I. .... .... .... .... i do. II .... .... .... .... x do. III. .... .... .... xii do. IV .... .... .... xiv do. V. .... .... .... xxvii do. VI. .... .... .... .... .... xxxi do. VII. , xxxiv PI. I. To DIFFERENT STAPLES OF COTTON. H*O/AN COTTON, VIZ. 1. BENGAL. I. MADRAS. 3. COMMON SURATS. w siw as hiJTI'.}j(irl'a<3fJl4?:t JtentvifUi; 12 SEA ISLAND. jfont TryJ Stiart9, T,tiK. ty Jumjify- COTTON CULTIVATION IN THE |Sf.: MADEAS PEESIDENCY. CHAPTER X. 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 draw- ing up the present Hand Book to the Madras Presidency, 28th August. (3.) Three objects sought by the East India Company with reference to Cot- ton. (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 America compared : reversal of the seasons. (9.) Revenue divisions of the Madras Presidency. (10.) Revenue systems of the Madras Presidency : based upon the Village com- munities. (11.) Three Revenue systems : First, The Village joint rent sys- tem. 112., Second, The Zemindary system. (13.) Third, The Ryotwary sys- tem (14.) Advantages of the Ryotwary tenure over the Zemindary and Tillage joint rent systems, (li.) 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 Cuddapahto the north ; Coim- batore and Tinnevelly to the south. (18.) Statistics of the Cotton growing districts. (19.) Review of the three improvements required in Indian Cot- ton. (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, Pernambueb, Egyptian, and- Sea Island. (22.) Indian, Bourbon, and New Orleans Cotton compared. (23.) Second, Better system of cultivation required : Indian and American agriculture compared. (24.) Third, Better method of separating and cleaning the Cotton required. The Foot Roller. (25.) The Native Churka. (26.) The American Saw Gin. (27.) The Thresher. (28.) Division of the subject matter 3 in the present Hand-book. (29.) Twelve years of Cotton Experiments divi- sible into three periods of four years each. (30.) Specialities of the severa^ Chapters. CHAPTER X. GENERAL VIEW OF THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY, AND OF THE IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRED IN INDIAN COTTON. Hand- Book to the Cotton Cultivation of each Pre- CHAP, sidency ordered by the Government of India, 22nd July, 1861. In July 1861, the Governor General in Council resolved, that one Gentleman should be appointed in each of the Indian Presidencies to analyse 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. Evi- dence taken before Parliamentary Committees, Transactions of Scientific 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 public records. The Local Officers of Land Revenue or Customs were also called upon to supply official statistics of trade or cultivation, as well as any other information which might be at their dis- posal ; 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. b COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. CHAP. 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 order of the Madras Government, dated 28th August 1861, the present compiler was directed to under- take the work required by the Government of India, Every facility indicated was fully afforded, and the task was com- menced without delay. Fortunately, the great mass of official records relating to the experiments undertaken by Govern- ment, had been already published in the form ot Reports and Blue books ; and the principal manuscript records to be con- sulted 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 India Company in regard to the Culture and Manufacture of Cotton work prior to 1836. Octavo. Pages 431. Parliamentary Return of Papers, connected with the Mea- sures taken by the Company to promote the cultiva- tion of Cotton in India, 18361847. Folio.Pages 535. Ditto, with reference to the Madras Presidency only, 18471857. Folio. Pages 419. Report from the Select Parliamentary Committee on the growth of Cotton in India ; together with the Mi- nutes of Evidence, &c. 1848. Folio. Pages 615. Accordingly, it has been found necessary, in the first in- GENERAL VIEW. GEOGRAPHY. 5 stance, to make an abstract of all the papers contained in CHAP. 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 endeavour to draw up a narra- tive 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 exhibiting, 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 enquiries or speculations. Three objects sought by the East India Company 3 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., 1st, A better variety of Cotton. 2nd, A better system of cultivation. 3rd, 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 en- deavouring 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 speci- alities of the country ; and secondly, to unfold more minutely the nature of the objects which the late Company have sought to attain. ^ Boundaries of the Madras Presidency. The Ma- 4 dras Presidency may be described as an irregular triangle 5 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. CHAP, occupying the whole southern quarter of the great Indian ' 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 addition to this triangle however, the Pre- sidency stretches out a 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 Kristna, 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 supported 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 Ghauts rise at a distance of from 30 to 60 miles from the Coromandel coast, and leave the large irregularly level, and generally sandy plain of the Carnatic 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 nar- rower strip of land between themselves and the Indian ocean. The two chains running north to south gradually unite at Cape Comorin. 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 southern territory of Mysore, which has a medium elevation of 3,000 feet, to the northern districts of Beljary and Cuddapah, where the mean height is 1,600 feet. East of the table land is the broad sandy plain of the Carnatic ; west of the table land is the narrow fertile territory known as Canara and Malabar. GENERAL VIEW. GEOGRAPHY. 4 Three modifications of the tropical heat : viz,, the CHAP. table land, the sea, and the two monsoons. The whole of the Madras Presidency is situated within the tropics, between the eighth and twentieth degree 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 monsoons, very much modify the burning heat of the sun. North-East monsoon, October to April: South- 7 West monsoon, May to September, The mani- festations 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 cultivation in India, that perhaps a short descrip- tion may not be misplaced. The monsoons are periodi- cal winds, which about the time of their first setting in bring heavy burst of rain. One sets in from the N orth-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 Car- natic enjoys the influence of the North-East monsoon ; the narrow strip of Malabar and Canara is favoured by the South- West monsoon ; whilst certain portions of the table land between them enjoy a partial benefit from both mon- soons. Each of these monsoons brings a supply of rain. . The North-East brings less water than the other, but then its influence is more generally felt, as the Eastern Ghauts 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 influence is more or less shut out from the COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. CHAP, 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 Cotfcon will be found large- ly illustrated in the following pages. 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 Presi- dency 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 in- deed to the- northward of the thirtieth parallel. This dif- ference 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. A further com- parison of the results of this reversal of the seasons will be found further on. Revenue Divisions of the Madras Presidency. The Madras Presidency is divided, for the purposes of collect- ing the Revenue, into twenty Districts, each of which is under the charge of a Revenue Collector. These twenty Districts may be classified, in accordance with the physical division already indicated, in the following manner. JTH PHE3S CHEPAUK.I GENERAL VIEW, REVENUE. 1st. NORTHERN CIRCARS, four districts : viz. (1) Ganjam, CHAP. (2) Vizagapatam, (3) Godavari, (4) Kristna.* 2nd. EASTERN PLAIN of the CARNATIC, eight districts : viz. (1) Nellore, (2) Madras, (3) North Arcot, (4) South Arcot, (5) Trichinopoly, (6) Tanjore, (7) Madura, (8) Tinnevelly. 3rd. CENTRAL TABLE-LAND, five districts : viz. - (1) Bel- lary, (2) Kurnool, (3) Cuddapah, (4) Salem, (5) Coimbatore. 4th. WESTERN STRIP, three districts : viz. (1) North Canara, (2) South Canara, (3) Malabar. In addition to these Collectorates, there are certain Na- tive States which are dependent upon Great Britain : viz. Mysore in the Can feral Table laud, and Travancore and Cochin in the South- West corner of the Peninsula. For the sake of clearness a small sketch map is appended, exhibiting generally the frontiers of all the Revenue districts and Native States included in the Madras Presidency. Revenue systems of the Madras Presidency : 10 based upon the Village Communities. In order to obtain a general idea of the Revenue systems which prevail, not only in the Madras Presidency but through- out the whole Peninsula of India, it may be necessary to remark that the entire country consists of an almost endless number of village communities, or, what we should * Previous to the last two years the present districts of the Godavari and Kristna formed the three districts of Raj ahmundry , Masulipatam, and Gun- toor. The new arrangement was found convenient for many reasons, but chiefly as it kept the district watered by the river Godavari, distinct from the district watered by the river Kristna. Accordingly, the whole of Rajah - mundry and part of Masulipatam were formed into the Godavari district ; and the remaining portion of Masulipatam and the whole of Guntoor were formed into the Kristna district . The frequent use of the old names leads to some confusion, which may be generally avoided by regarding Rajah- mundry as Gfakuwri, and Masulipatam and Gruntoor as Kristna. 10 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. CHAP, perhaps call " parishes." Each village comprises not only !__ houses and families, but cultivated lands and waste lands. Each village has also an organisation and government of its own. Of course the bulk of each village community is com- posed of Ryots, or land holders ; but each village has also its own officers and artisans. First of all there is the Head man, whose duties originally were to pay the yearly land tax or tribute to Government for the entire village ; and who also, in conjunction with the villagers in council, allotted the lands for cultivation, apportioned the yearly contribution each one was to pay towards the Go- vernment demand, settled all disputes, and performed other Municipal duties, which need not be specified. The latter duties, and in some cases the former duties, are still perform- ed by the Head man of the village, but this will be explained hereafter. Next to the Head man is generally the Account- ant, who keeps the village records and accounts ; the Watch- man who guards the boundaries and watches the crops ; the Money-changer, the Priest, the Astrologer, the Smith, the Carpenter, the Barber, the Potter, and the Leather- worker ; and in many cases there is also the Tailor, Washer- man, Physician, Musician, Minstrel (or genealogist) ; and, at any rate in the south, there is generally the Dancing girl. These village officers and artisans are remunerated for their services by grants of land rent-free, and by fees contributed by the Ryots, sometimes in money, but more frequently in grain. These villages have existed from time immemorial. They are essentially Hindoo institutions. To use the words of Sir Charles Metcalfe, " the village communities are little repub- lics, having nearly every thing they can want within them- selves, and almost independent of any foreign relations. Th^y seem to last where nothing else lasts. Dynasty after dynasty tumbles down ; revolution succeeds to revolution ; Hindoo, Patan, Mogul, Mahratta, Sikh, English, are all mas- ters in turn ; but the village community remains the same." GENERAL VIEW. REVENUE, 11 Three Revenue systems: 1st, the Village joint CHAP. rent system. By bearing in mind the village communi- ; ties, it is easy to obtain a general view of the Revenue sys- l \ terns which prevail in the Madras Presidency. First of all we have the relic of ancient times, the village joint rent system ; in which the inhabitants of each village still pay through their Head man to the Collector of the District, a yearly lump tax for the whole of their lands ; and then they are left to allot to each one of their number, the lands he is to cultivate, and the yearly contribution he is to pay. The defect in the village joint rent system is, that each vil- lager is responsible not only for the payment of his own contribution, but virtually for the payment of the contribu- tions of all the others ; whilst at the same time there is no clear definition of his individual right to the land which he cultivates and holds. 2nd, The Zemindary system. This system may also 12 be explained in a few words. A set of middle-men or aris- tocracy, arose between the Sovereign and the Head men of the villages, known by the general name of Zemindars. Some had received villages as rewards for services ; others were simply farmers of the revenue ; others again may have obtained villages in return for supplies of troops, or by chi- canery or force during the dark days of a declining dynasty ; whilst some were undoubtedly descendants of old feudal chiefs and barons, who had held possession of the villages from time immemorial. Be this as it may, we found all these Zemindars exercising proprietary rights, and paying a fixed annual sum to the existing Government. According- ly, this Zemindary system has, in many parts, still continu- ed to exist under British rule. The objections to it are that the Zemindar's profits swallow up from 15 to 33 per cent, of the revenue derived from the lands under cultivation, as well as the whole of any future revenue which may arise from the waste lands being taken into cultivation. COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. CHAP. 3 r a, The Ryotwary 'system.- The Ryotwary system is the most important of all, and the one which generally prevails in the Madras Presidency. Here the Government does not take' the rent from the Head man of the village, nor from the Zemindar of a number of villages, but direct from the Ryots or village landholders. By this system every registered holder of land is recognised as its actual proprie- tor. He can sub-let his property, or transfer it by gift, sale, or mortgage. So long as he pays his yearly rent, the Govern- ment cannot eject him ; but he can at any time throw off this responsibility to Government, by throwing up all or any part of his land. ] 4 Advantages of the Ryotwary tenure over the Ze- mindary tenure and the Village joint rent system. It may perhaps place a complicated question in a clearer light, if we thus briefly indicate the advantages of the Ryot- war settlement, over the Zemindary tenure or the Village joint rent system. To revert from the Ryotwary to the Ze- mindary tenure would entail four evils. 1st, It would place a middle-man between the Government and the Ryot. 2nd, It would strike off from 1 5 to 33 per cent, of the existing revenue, which would go into the pockets of the middle-man. 3rd, It would alienate to the middle-man those waste lands, which the Ryots are being induced to take into cultivation, and which thus gradually increase the revenues of the State, and enable the Government to reduce the rent on the whole. 4th, It would place the Ryots under the power- ful and injurious influence of the Zemindars. Again, to re- vert from the Ryotwar to the village joint rent system would entail two evils. 1st, It would annul individual property in the land. 2nd, It would render the whole of a village community responsible for the short comings of any of its individual members. GENERAL VIEW. REVENUE. 13 Revenue division of lands : Government, Zemin- CHAP. clary, and Inam. The Village joint-rent system will short- _ ly be abolished, and there will then remain but two leading 15 distinctions of tenure : viz., the Zemindary and Byotwary. A large extent of land, amounting to nearly one-fourth of the assessed area, is held as Inam ; in other words, it is wholly or partially free from assessment. The origin of these lands is not unlike that of Zemindary lands. Certain fields have been given to individuals at various times, as rewards for services, or as funds for the support of pagodas, choultries (or resting places for travellers), and other charitable pur- poses ; or from motives which were merely personal. It is believed that many of these lands were only given for life, but have been appropriated by the family ; and that other Inams have been improperly created, or annexed. Accord- ingly, an Inam Commission has been set on foot to deter- mine the rights of holders of Inams, and to fix a very mo- derate assessment, redeemable at wills where those rights are found to be invalid. This matter, however, is only of consequence so far as it serves to explain the nature of Inam lands.* Nature and extent of the Cotton soils of India, 10 The principal Cotton soil of India is known as Black land, ?c!fdda! which is of various depths. Thus in Cuddapah it is found ter, ut/u- to extend to twenty or thirty feet, and generally rests, M. t>? ' either on kunkur or lime, or else on sand. In Madura it is from collector of four or five feet to fifteen feet in depth, and rests in many i e tter, u n37 * further simplified by the reduction into English money and measures. Much reliance however cannot be placed upon what is stated as regards "average produce" and " cost of culture." It has been stated that the Ryots will not tell the truth about the first ; and as they me^' *iet" keep no accounts, they cannot furnish accurate infor- Oct.* 1347, mation upon the second point. In the case of a poor Ryot, JH. 1849. the cultivation is carried on by himself and family ; in the tu case of a rich Ryot, it is carried on by his numerous de- pendents, whom he merely feeds. Review of the three improvements required in the 19 Indian Cotton. Having thus glanced at the specialities of the Madras Presidency, it will be necessary to review tHe three great improvements which the late Company endea- * A description of the churka and foot roller will be found at paras 24 and 25. 16 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. CHAP, voured to effecb in India with reference to Cotton : viz. To ! introduce 1st, A better variety ; 2nd, A better cultiva- tion ; and 3rd, A better method of cleaning. 20 1st. Better variety of Cotton s general classifica- tion of Indian and American Cotton. The Cotton plant may be divided, for all the practical purposes contem- plated in the present work, into three species only, which with their respective varieties may be thus briefly indicat- ed. 1st. Indian Cotton, including the very short stapled va- rieties of Bengal, Madras and Surat. 2nd. North American Cotton, including, first, the short stapled varieties of New Orleans (Mexican), West Indian, (Bourbon?), Uplands, and Bo weds ; and, second, the long stapled variety of Sea Island Cotton, which is said to have the longest, finest, and softest fibre in the world. 3rd. South American Cotton, including the long stapled varieties of Pernambueo (Brazilian) Peruvian, etc. Besides these, there are other varieties, if not species of Cotton; such as the Cotton tree which grows in the Indian jungle ; and an inferior sort of Indian Cotton, called " Nadum," which is never grown for exportation, though it is occasionally employed for purposes of adulteration. There is also the Egyptian Cotton, which was originally imported both from North and South America about forty years ago ; and which deserves some special mention as some experiments have been made with it in this Presidency. But a full description of these varieties, however interesting to the scientific botanist, would serve no practical purpose in the present publication.* A glance at the frontispiece, which exhibits the various lengths of the different staples, * For a learned and scientific dissertation on the different species and varieties of Cotton, the reader cannot do better than refer to Dr. Forbes Boyle's work on the culture of Cotton in India, GENERAL VIEW. VARIETIES OF COTTON. 17 will convey a general knowledge of the subject ; and it may CHAP. be added that the North and South American varieties ex ceed the Indian varieties, not only in length of staple but in fineness and softness of fibre. Six leading varieties of Cotton, viz-, Indian, Bour- 21 bon, New Orleans, Pernambuco, Egyptian, and Sea Island. With these preliminary observations we may now safely say, that for all practical purposes, the reader of the present volume will only find it necessary to retain the names oi six different Cottons, viz. 1st. Indian, which is indigenous to the soil. 2nd. Bourbon, so named from having been grown in the Isle of Bourbon, where it is supposed to have been intro- duced by the French from the West Indies. It was first cultivated in India during the latter part of the last century and commencement of the present. 3rd. New Orleans, which is sometimes alluded to as Mexican, and even as American. This was the Cotton which the late Company more particularly desired to intro- duce into India.* 4th. Pernambuco, or Brazilian, upon which some ex- periments are still being made by private individuals. This Cotton is marked by the peculiarity of its seeds, which adhere together in conglomerations. 5th. Egyptian, which has been tried with some suc- cess in the Madras district. 6th. The Sea Island, which is cultivated on a range of islands lying along the coast of South Carolina and Georgia.-)* * Dr. Wight tried other sorts, including Pernambuco ; but it will be seen that the great object of his experimental farms was to grow New Orleans Cotton. t A still clearer idea of the different varieties of Cotton may be gathered 18 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. CHAP. Indian, Bourbon, and New Orleans Cotton compa- '. red. Besides the differences between the staple of the Indi- ** an and New Orleans Cotton, there are some other peculiarities which are well worthy of notice. The Indian is a stunted plant, which seems as though it formed a degenerate species. It rarely rises above three feet from the ground, and some- times scarcely a foot ; and its branches in the same way spread out only from one foot to three. The Bourbon, which was originally brought from the Mauritius, about the latter Letter* end of the last century, rises to about the same height as Collators the Indian, but then it spreads out its branches much more. pah, Bei- The New Orleans however rises to a far greater height lary, Madu- ra, Tinne- than either the Bourbon or the Indian, and spreads out velly ana tore* 11 lup- i* s branches a great deal more than either. But the fdr,Sion n ~ r ot of the New Orleans does not strike so deeply into "* F Maii 8 et the ground as either the Bourbon or the Indian ; and conse- 18 ! >8 MS records.' ' quently it is less able to bear a protracted drought than either one or the other. This fact may be found useful in ex- plaining some of the results attendant upon the experimen- tal culture which we shall presently have to record. 23 2nd, Better system of Cultivation : Indian and American agriculture compared. The differences be- tween American and Indian culture will be largely illus- trated in the present volume ; but it may be as well to state here generally that they chiefly lie in the from a consideration of the different manufactured goods in which, they are employed. Thus the finest qualities of Cotton, or those of the Sea Island class, are worked into lace and muslin of the most beautiful tex- ture. Other qualities, Egyptian, New Orleans, and Boweds, are made into cambrics and calicoes for printing, as well as into shirtings, sheetings, and fustians ; and, when mixed with the better kinds of waste, into bed dovers and heavy fabrics. But East Indian Cotton is rarely at present used alone, except for the lowest purposes, because of its general inferi- ority ; and it is generally disposed of in adulteration. Bazley's Lecture upon Cotton, p. ^9. "We might however remind Mr. Bazley that very beautiful muslins are still manufactured by the Native weavers at Dacca and Arnee PL: 3. THE FOOT ROLLER A. -A.rmcoth .fto-n-o B. As fool. C. D.D. E The, Seed F. Th GENERAL VIEW. CULTUKE AND CLEANING. 19 degree of attention bestowed upon the land. The Ameri- CHAP, cans practise deep ploughing, are careful in the selection ' of seed, and sow on ridges, keeping the plants wide apart, and carefully destroying all weeds. The Indian Ryots on the other hand, frequently sow their Cotton broad cast, and often with three or four other crops ; they allow the plants to grow too closely together, the weeds to flourish, and the {?J|*J le o* wool too hang long after the seed is ripe. In some locali- ^a ties however they sow in drills, plough the land previous 2l5 ' to sowing, hoe weeds away whilst the plant is growing, and take care to have a rotation of crops. When this is the case, says Dr. Royle, the Cottons are superior to those produced by more careless cultivators. 3rd Better method of separating and cleaning the 24 Cotton : 1st, The Foot Holler, Cotton grows in a pod. When the fruit is ripe the pod bursts, and discloses the seed enveloped in a kind of soft white fibre, which presents all the appearance of a particularly fine and dazzling wool. Two operations are necessary to render this wool, or staple as it is called, available for the carder and spinner : first, to separate it from the seed ; and secondly, to clean it from any extraneous matter, which may have adhered to it in the processes of gathering and separation. The proverbial simpli- city of the tools and engines employed by Hindoo artisans and mechanics generally, is strikingly displayed in both operations in India. In ancient times the Natives literally separated the wool from the seed with their feet, and then cleaned it with their hands. This practice still lingers in the Southern Mahratta country. The Cotton is placed on a flat stone. A Letterfrom woman sits on a stool before it. Her only implement is an 4?h'ik.cem- iron roller, but wooden soles are fastened to each of her feet. cXum 1 !?- This iron roller she places on the Cotton, and then rolls it p?294 ( . backwards and forwards with her feet, until the wool is fairly separated from the seed, and the seed is rolled out in front, whilst the Cotton wool comes out under the stool 20 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. CHAP, behind in a continuous web. If the woman cleans this _J wool with her hands, picking away all the dirt, pieces of leaf, stray seeds, smashed seeds, and other objectionable trash, she produces after a great expense of time and labour, a wool which is easily spun into clothing for the family, whilst the seed is used as food for the cattle. 25 The Native Chuirka. The foot roller however has al- most vanished from the Madras Presidency, and the machine now in general use is the Churka. This simple implement is only one step in advance of the foot roller. It consists of two rollers set in a wooden frame, with a small interval between them. These are turned with an ordinary handle, the motion of one being communicated to the other by a sort of endless screw. The Cotton is passed between these rol- lers, and the staple is thus separated from the seed ; bub the wool is turned out in a matted state, with the fibres Letter of all lying confused in different directions, so as to give a great Munro and deal of trouble to English carders. Moreover the wool is cardinsand mixed up with all the dirty bits of leaf and seed already in- Masters, dicated. The Natives however can completely clean it by 9th Febru / / p?ri. 18 Re- ^ e laborious process of hand picking, and they appear to g U aU857)T. resort to this process for home consumption ; but for ex- portation, they seem to content themselves with beating it with sticks on rattan frames, of which an amusing account will be found in para 177. 26 The American Saw Gin. The American Saw Gin is a totally different machine, and is the result of capital, in- genuity, and enterprise. It both separates the Cotton from the seed, and cleans the staple. It consists of a number of thin wheels, the edges of which are cogged or toothed ; but perhaps the term " sawed" is more expressive, as the teeth are sharp, pointed downwards, and act like a saw. These circular saws are to separate the Cotton wool from the seed. The larger gins contain sixty circular saws, which are turned 'L. 4. To fns-s Pr THE CHIJRKA GENERAL VIEW. SEPARATION AND CLEANING. 21 round by cattle machinery. The process of separation is CHAP. thus performed. Each thin circular saw passes in every re- .' volution through a corresponding narrow grating,* so narrow indeed that whilst the wool passes through with the saw, the seed is cut off by the grating and left behind. The Cotton is accordingly placed in a trough or hopper above the saw wheels. The wheels as they turn round carry away the Cotton, and as they pass through the grating they sepa- rate the wool from the seed. Meantime a cylinder sur- rounded with brushes revolves in an opposite direction, and not only brushes away the wool from the saw wheels, but cleanses it from all impurities. The attempts which have been made to adapt this machine to Indian Cotton, and to invent some other Cotton cleaning machine, which should combine the perfection of the saw wheels and brush wheel with the cheapness and simplicity of the churka, will be illustrated in the following pages.f The Thresher. This machine was originally intended 27 to purify the seed Cotton from leaves and trash prior to ginning ; for though the brush wheel of the saw gin suffici- ently cleaned the wool, yet it was found that the gin worked more easily if the principal trash was thrown off prior to the submission of the seed to the action of the saws. The thresher consists of a large trough or hopper in which two or three cylinders revolve, being turned round by the same motive power which turns the gin. The seed Cotton is thrown into this trough, and thereupon is rendered so loose and lively by the action of the cylinders, that the trash falls off, and passes through a grating in the bottom of the trough into a receptacle below. The seed Cotton thus purified is removed * Description of Whitney's Saw Gin. Cotton Reports (1836) p. 430. Here, as elsewhere, the compiler has indicated the sources' of his inform^- tion, though he has found it necessary to express himself in totally dif- ferent language. f A description of the Cottage saw gin will be found at para 245, accom- panied by an illustration. This will be found sufficient to explain the prin- ciple of the American gin. 22 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. CHAP, through a door at the side, and placed in the hopper of the ' saw gin. The question to be decided is, whether the thresher would not be found useful in clearing off the trash from Indian seed Cotton, prior to submitting it to the action of the churka. This point will be discussed in the fifth chapter. 28 Division of the subject matter of the present Hand Book. Having thus glanced generally at the specialities of the Madras Presidency, and the nature of the objects which the late Company have sought to accomplish, it is advisable, for the sake of clearness, to notice those salient points in the following narrative, which form the ground-work of the division of the subject matter. The early efforts of the East India Company for the extension and improvement of the Cotton culture in India, are chiefly interesting in an antiquarian point of view. Accordingly they occupy but a very small portion of the present volume. The bulk of the work consists of a detail of facts and opinions elicited during the experiments which were carried out in this Pre- sidency, between the years 1841 and 1853, partly by practi- cal American Planters, and partly by the eminent scientific botanist Dr. Wight, who throughout the greater part of these twelve years held the post of Superintendent. After a few preliminaries, the Experimental Farms were fairly establish- ed in this Presidency in 1841, during the Governorship of Lord Elphinstone ; and the cultivation of American Cotton, and em- ployment of American saw gins, were carried on during four years by three Planters and an Engineer, under the superin- tendence of Dr. Wight in the district of Coimbatore. At the expiration of that period, that is in 1845 when the Marquis of Tweeddale was Governor, some modifications ^ T ere made in the experiment. One of the Planters died, and the two others were transferred to Bombay ; but another Planter named Finnie, who had been originally deputed to Bengal, was engaged for four years longer by the Madras Go- GENEBAL VIEW. DIVISION OF SUBJECT MlTTEB. 28 vernment. Instead however of joining Dr. Wight at Ooimba- CHAP. tore, Mr. Finnie was located in Tinnevelly. Thus another ' period of four years passed away, extending from 1845 to 18 19, during which Mr. Finnie was engaged in Tinnevelly and Dr. Wight in Coimbatore. Bub towards the end of this second period, a serious disagreement broke out between Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie. About the same time, the Marquis of Tweeddale was succeeded by Sir Henry Pottinger. The new Governor seems to have been thoroughly dissatisfied with the progress of the Cotton experiment ; and in 1849, Dr. Wight's Farm at Coimbatore was suddenly ordered to be given up, and Mr. Finnie was informed that the term for which he had been engaged was nearly over, and that when over, his services would be no longer required. The same year however, the Court of Directors sent out a despatch, approving of the steps taken with reference to Mr. Finnie, but directing the Madras Government to re-instate Dr. Wight in his position as Superintendent of the Cotton experiment. Thus a third period of four years passed away ; at the expiration of which in 1853, the experiment was finally brought to a close. Dr. Wight retired from the service and returned to Europe ; and the Government withdrew from all direct attempts to promote the cultivation of American Cotton, or to extend the use of foreign machinery in this Presidency. Twelve years of Cotton Experiments, divisible into 29 three p eriods of four years each. From the foregoing par- ticulars, it will be seen that the narrative of the Cotton experi- ments naturally separates itself into six chapters. The first chapter comprises a description of the field of operations, and a review of the objects sought. The second chapter comprises a brief review of the early experiments which had been undertaken in reference to the subject ; and narrative of the agricultural proceedings of Dr. Wight and his three Planters in the Cotton Farms in Coimbatore, during the four years extending from 1841 to 1845. The third 24 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDEKCY. HAP. chapter comprises the narrative of Dr. Wight's proceedings , alone in Coimbatore from 1845 to 1849. The fourth chapter comprises the narrative of Mr. Finnie's proceedings inTinne- velly during the same period. The fifth chapter comprises a review of the discussion between Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie, a brief narrative of the circumstances which led to the stoppage of the experiment by Sir Henry Pottinger's Government, and the renewal of the experiment by the Court of Directors ; together with the last proceedings of Dr. Wight down to his final retirement in 1853. The sixth and last chapter is devoted to a short sketch of the present con- dition of the Cotton culture in the Madras Presidency. 30 Specialities of the several Chapters. Having thus mapped out the subject, it may be as well to indicate the specialities of the several chapters. On the matter of the first chapter nothing need be said, as it is purely of an in- introductory character. The second and third chapters, which comprise a narrative of Dr. Wight's experimental cul- ture in Coimbat'ore, will be found chiefly useful as exhibit- ing the results of Dr. Wight's scientific experiences respect- ing the adaptability of the American plant to the climate and soil of India. The fourth chapter, comprising the story of Mr. Finnie's proceedings in Tinnevelly, will be found use- ful in a totally different way ; namely, as exhibiting the ex- periences of a practical man, both as regards the relative con- ditions of Cotton cultivation and trade in America and India, and the nature of the difficulties in the way of introducing into the Madras Presidency the general culture of American Cotton, and the general employment of American machinery. The fifth chapter is a gathering of results, which are illus- trated by the discussions between Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie, the proceedings of Sir Henry Pottinger's Govern- ment, and the decisions of the Court of Directors. The last chapter, and the appendices, are chiefly important as bring- ing down the general results to the present day. 25 CHAP. II. CHAPTER XX. FOUR YEARS OF EXPERIMENTAL CULTURE UNDER DR. WIGHT AND THE AMERICAN PLANTERS, 1S41 TO 1845. (31.)* Stoppage of demand for Indian. Muslins and Calicoes, but growing demand for Cotton Wool. (32.) Early efforts to extend and improve Indian Cotton. (33. Introduction of Bourbon Cotton into the Madras Presidency. (34.) Mr. Metcalfe, an American Cotton cleaner, sent to the Presidency, 1813 : efforts of the Madras Government, 1819 1836. (35.) Ten American Plan- ters sent to India, 1840. (36.) Prevailing opinions upon Cotton Culture in the Madras Presidency. (37.) Three Planters located in Tinnevelly, Oc- tober 1840. (38.) Contemplated removal of the Planters to the neighbour- hood of Mr. Fischer's establishment at Salem. (39.) First Season, 1841-42 : commenced under Captain Hughes. (40.) Reported failure in consequence of a heavy Monsoon, January 1842. (41.) Sudden renovation of the crop : Dr. Wight succeeds Captain Hughes, February. (42.) Relative effects of the Monsoon, the Drought, and the Rain, upon the Cotton shrub : differ- ence between the Red and Black soils. (43.) Results of the season 1841-42. (44.) Dr. Wight's plan of operations : introduction of American Culture more important than that of American Cotton. (45.) Early trials of the American saw gin. (46.) Second Season, 1842-43 : arrangement of the Four Experimental Farms. (47.) Three varieties of land, viz. ; Black, Red, and Alluvial. (48.) Distribution of soil amongst the Four Farms : Method of Cultivation. DR. WIGHT'S " NOTES ON AMERICAN COTTON CULTURE AS PRACTISED ON THE GOVERNMENT COTTON FARMS." (49.) Drill husbandry : land ploughed and cast in ridges, eight or ten inches high, at intervals of about five feet. (50.) Sowing in a furrow of about two inches deep along the centre of each ridge. (51.) Scraping out of superfluous plants and weeds. (52.) Banking up the ridges, first with* the plough and afterwards with the hoe. (53.) Keeping down extraneous vegetation until the crop ripens. (54.) Native ploughs and American ploughs compared : question of whether American Cotton would thrive without ridging. 26 CHAP. (55.) Results of the Second Season on the Black, Red and Alluvial ** soils, 1842-43. (56.) Comparison of the growth of the Indian, New Or- leans, and Bourbon Cotton. (57.) Reports of the English Brokers on Dr. Wight's Cotton. (58.) Oopum (Indian) Cotton. (59.) New Orleans. (60.) Bourbon. (61.) Third Season, 1843-44 : state of the Cotton Farms, Gins, and Gin-house. (62.) Unfavourable results : their causes. (63.) Compa- rison of the Crops of the third Season with those of the second. (64.) Fourth Season, 1844-45: experiment of treating the plant as a biennial. (65.) Comparative produce of the four [Seasons. (66.) General Results of the four Seasons of the Experimental Farms : necessity for a rotation of Crops. (67.) Causes of the success of Mr. Wroughton's Cotton experi- ment. (68.) First, Influence of both monsoons. (69) Second, Early pre- paration and sowing. (70.) Drought and Grate the only dangers to be avoided. (71.) Question of manure. (72.) Three advantages possessed by India over America in the cultivation of American Cotton. (73.) Re- munerative demand alone required in India. (74.) Cost of cultivation. (7-5.) Further proceedings of the Fourth Season, 1844-45. (76.) Mr. Simp- son's Report on the districts of North Canara, bordering on Dharwar. (77.) Soondah: unfavourable from the presence of " Kunkur." (78.) Soopah t soil favourable but climate unfavourable. (79.) Mr. Simpson's opinion on the failure of the Coimbatore Farms to extend the culture of American Cot- ton. (80.) Recommends the appointment of a practical person to dis- tribute seed and exhibit the gins. (81.) Mr. Simpson's suggestions approved : his transfer to the Bombay Presidency. (82.) Dr. Wight's answers to the queries of the Marquis of Tweeddale. (83.) Superiority of the American Cotton to the Indian. (84.) Extension of the improved methods of cultivation among the Ryots. (85.) Reluctance of the Ryots to adopt the saw gin. CHAP. II. CHAPTER XX. FOUR YEARS OF EXPERIMENTAL CULTURE UNDER DR. WIGHT AND THE AMERICAN PLANTERS, 1841 TO 1845. Stoppage of demand for Indian muslins and call- 31 coes, but 'growing demand for Cotton wool- During the latter part of the last century, the conflict between the East India Company and the Native powers, was equalled by the rivalry between the Cotton manufacturers of Great Britain and the Native weavers of India. The result in both cases was |the same. Whilst the Native princes were yielding to the superior prowess of the British arms, the Native weavers were conquered by the Spinning Jenny and Power Loom. The Arkwright machinery indeed seemed to defy all opposition. As early as 1793, British muslins were equal in appearance to those of India, whilst the patterns were far more elegant, and the cost was less than one-third. But SelectCom . at the same time, that demand for the raw wool had sprung {e te court up, which in the present day has reached such enormous li- tj ra Quoted mits. In 1697 the yearly import of Cotton wool into great by Koyle * Britain, was only 2 millions of pounds. In 1775 it reached 8 millions, and within ten years the improved machinery had raised the import to 20 millions. But the present century has perhaps witnessed the most extraordinary increase. In 1800 the yearly import was nearly 60 millions; in 1820 it was 150 millions; in 1840 it was 500 millions; and in 1860 it was 1500 millions. ExtractPa . Hitherto the American supply has generally been equal to ?" to ela " the demand ; and Whitney's saw gin has done nearly as tariff" c fai* Natives refused to give up their time-honoured churka, for court of io such expensive and new fangled machinery as the gin. istiT Dec. About the same time, the Commercial Residents in the ser- Cotton Re. ports(1836) vice of the Company appear to have interested themselves P- 61 - in the Cotton question ; for it will be remembered that in those days the Company was a Mercantile body as well as a Political power. In 1819, Mr. Rundall, the Commercial Re- e m erS Ma- sident in Bellary and Cuddapah, drew up a Memorial upon Trtde.2?ih Cotton cultivation, in which he urged the introduction of cotum Re- ports(1836) Cotton from Bourbon, Brazil, and New Orleans. Accord- p. 87. ingly, the Madras Government established four Cotton Farms of four hundred acres each : viz , two in Tinnevelly and Coimbatore in Southern India ; and two in Masulipatam* and Vizagapatam in the Northern Circars. Each Farm was placed under the direction of the Commercial Re- sident of the district. Of these the Farm at Vizagapatam proved the most successful ; for there the Commercial Resident, Mr. Heath, had largely profited by the instructions which he had received from Mr. Hughes of Tinnevelly.-f- In the pre- * Now included in the Godaveri district. See para 9. f Mr. Hughes's method of cultivating Bourbon Cotton in India is worthy of notice, inasmuch as reference will be made to it hereafter. His own ac- count is arranged under the heads of soil, climate, culture, pruning, and cleaning. (1.) As regards Soil, he asserted that the Red and Brown Loams formed the most suitable and fruitful. Rich, heavy, retentive, stiff soils did not answer ; for though the plants might be luxuriant, yet they were apt to produce wood and leaf, rather than fruit buds. Black Cotton soil, he declared, was to be entirely avoided for the Bourbon Cotton. (2.) As regards Climate, Mr. Hughes believed that the free admission of light winds, and the free circulation of air, were of the greatest benefit; and that situations near the sea, or within the influence of the sea breeze, were to be preferred. A dry soil and a dry atmosphere from March to May, and from July to September, seemed essential both to the good quality of the wool and the productive- ness of the plant. (3.) As regards Culture, Mr. Hughes had ascertained that the plant would continue many years ; that is, the plant might be cul- 30 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [183640. CHAP, sent day the Cotton grown in Vizagapatam is insufficient '. for the home consumption of the province, and consequently supplies of Cotton wool are imported from the Godavari district. In 1836, Dr. Wight was appointed by the Madras Government to report on the state of agriculture in Southern India; and he subsequently represented that the returns of Cotton per acre were greater in Yizagapatam than in any other district. But these early reports and proceedings are of small importance, in the face of the large experiments which were conducted through the agency of American Planters, and which we shall now proceed to record. 35 Ten American Planters sent to India, 184O. In Letter of 1840, the Court of Directors engaged ten Planters or Over- tors, Dl i5th seers from the Cotton states in North America, to instruct Pari! Re- the Natives of India in the cultivation and cleaning of p. 2. Cotton. This measure was initiated with considerable diffi- culty. Captain Bayles of the Madras Army, who had been deputed to the Cotton states for the purpose, managed to keep his secret for some time ; but after he had engaged a tivated as a perennial. The plants should be sown eight feet apart, in rows which should be again eight feet asunder ; in order to afford facility for ploughing and hoeing, and for a free circulation of air. If the sowing could be effected in September, the young plant would be able to resist the continued wet of a heavy monsoon. Little was gained by sowing in October, Novem- ber, or December; but the intervals of clear weather in those months answer- ed well for transplanting; and the first week of January very well, both for sowing and transplanting. (4.) Pruning should be practised twice in the year. The first and most important pruning should take place between the 15th and 31st of December, when the shrub is cut down to two feet high and two feet wide, only the firm wood being left with the strong white and brown bark. In January during the fine days the plantation should be ploughed thoroughly three or four times. In less than two months the whole of the plants will be again in the finest foliage and full blossom, and continue in full bearing throughout the months of March, April, and May. Early in June a good many pods still remain, and a second pruning should be practised of the long, straggling, twisted soft shoots with diminutive pods. Subsequently from July to September good produce may be obtained, unless the plants are damaged by rain. (5.) Cleaning was practised on Mr. Hughes' s plantation in a most careful manner, the wool being cleaned by hand. It must however be remarked that Mr. Hughes calculated this Cotton to cost him about twelve pence a pound ; but then in 1817, it was sold in Lon- don for more than two shillings per pound. See Mr. Hughes' s instructions to Mr. Heath. Royle's Cotton Culture, p. 227. 1840.] EARLY EXPERIMENTAL CULTURE. 31 few Planters, and purchased a sixty saw gin, a model gin CHAP. house, and other machinery, the object of his mission eked -- _ out. The violent opposition which he then had to encounter, compelled him to carry arms, and to labour under the con- stant fear of being forced to use them; and the virulent attacks of the press at Natchez, combined with a sense of the lawless state of the community, and the urgent repre- P- 27 - sentations of friends, induced him to retreat" the moment he had effected the objects of his journey. The Planters thus engaged were each to receive ^300 per annum, and a gra- tuity in the event of success. Three were deputed to the Madras Presidency, viz: Mr. Morris, Mr. Hawley, and Mr. Simpson ; and about October 1840, these gentlemen reached p> 305 - their destination. Prevailing opinions upon Cotton Cultivation in the 36 Madras Presidency. At this time it was the general Despatehof opinion, that nothing was wanting to promote the cultiva- tion of Bourbon Cotton but a remunerative price. In Coim- batore for instance, the Ryots at first had manifested a p ur 2 n 3 . a8 distaste for its cultivation, because: 1st, The seed contained M^Vum- no oil, and therefore the cattle would not eat it ;* 2nd, The Apr'n iW Pari. Re- demand was fluctuating ; and 3rd, The thread was too fine for Native manufacturers. But when it was found that the Bourbon C ottbn produced double the crop per acre of the ^ 4 4 \ Ibid Indian Cotton, then we are told that the cultivation began to increase. But still the Ryot received no more for Bourbon than for Indian ; and in fact only received about 2 Jd. per Ib. whilst the exporter realised from 6d. to lid. As regarded * Captain Taylor has pointed out that this objection is a fallacy, and that cattle will eat the seed of American Cotton. He mentions that on one occasion a Native Farmer urged the objection, when the experiment was immediately tried by placing a basket of American seed before a Buffalo. The Buffalo at once began to eat the seed, andCaptain Taylor states that the objection accordingly died away in that quarter, and that the growth of AmericanCotton was considerably extended. Essay on the Culti- vation of Cotton in India. Other authorities state that Buffaloes will not eat the American seed until they are half starved. 32 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1840. CHAP. Indian Cotton, it was the general opinion that it had greatly ' deteriorated. In olden time very much stress was laid upon quality. The Indian manufacturers were themselves the pur- chasers, and gave prices according to quality. Then again, when the Company received much of their rents in Cotton, the Agent would receive none but what was good and clean. Subsequently however, the Cotton was no longer hought direct by manufacturers but by brokers ; and thus quantity rather than quality became the primary object of the grower. It may however be remarked generally, that the condition of Indian Cotton has been gradually improving of late years. The Nat ives may be timid and suspicious, but they are just as alive to their own interests as any European. 37 Three Planters located in Tinnevelly, October Minutes of 184O. The three American Planters reached Madras just tion!" stst as the season for sowing was over. They were however dis- i84o, Pari. patched to the Tinnevelly district, under the superinten- (i847)p.3oe. dence of Captain Hughes, for the purpose of familiarising themselves with the native mode of cultivation, as well as with the character of the people. At Tinnevelly the Eyots were invited by proclamation to come forward and receive instruction from the American Planters ; and accordingly some Eyots about two miles off, requested the attendance captain of the Planters. The Americans proceeded to the locality, letters soth and pointed out the defects in the native mode of gathering March and 1841 ^Pari 1 ^ e SQQ ^~ Cotton, and proceeded to explain their own method. ( i847) ra p. The Eyots in return acknowledged the superiority of the 309, sio. American method, but urged that it was more laborious and expensive ; and therefore they refused to adopt it, unless Government would purchase the Cotton so produced at a fixed valuation. In a word they would neither adopt the American cultivation, nor sow the American seed, unless Government would buy the produce ; and the Planters found that these sentiments were pretty general throughout the Cotton growers of the district. 184142.] MR. FISCHER'S CO-OPERATION DECLINED. 33 Contemplated removal of the Planters to the neighbourhood of Mr. Fischer's establishment at - Salem. The non-arrival of the gin machinery prevented the Planters from doing anything further during the season of 1840-41 in the way of preparing the Cotton wool. Mean- time Lord Elphinstone, who was then Governor of Madras, coSiufta- * decided on removing the Planters from Tinnevelly to Coim- May batore and Salem, where they would be in the immediate turn neighbourhood of Mr. Fischer, who was a large Contractor P< with Native Cotton growers. Mr. Fischer however consi- chef's tet- dered that the general inferiority of the Madras Cotton arose May i84i. from the vicious system of trade, by which there was a sue- turn (isi7) p. 311* cession of middlemen or brokers, from the village Chetty who made advances to the Ryot in his hour of need, up to the Dubash of the European Agent at Madras who shipped the Cotton for England. Thus after each middleman had made his own profit, the smallest modicum remained to the Ryot, who consequently had no other resource but to supply the largest possible quantity. Under such circumstances, Mr. Fischer considered that the services of the Planters might prove valuable in giving to the Ryots an improved system of cultivation, including the picking, cleaning, and embaling ; but that the real difficulties in the way of raising the character of Madras Cotton were altogether beyond their control. Mr. Fischer then followed the suggestion of Lord Elphinstone, that the Planters should be removed to the neighbourhood of his establishment. On the one hand he undertook to induce those Ryots, who received advances from him, to follow the instructions of the Planters. On the other hand, his establishment would afford opportu- -|K nities to the Planters of cultivating different kinds of Cotton, and would also furnish them with an American saw gin for separating and cleaning the wool. First Season, 1841-42: commenced under Captain 39 Hughes. The Court of Directors disapproved of the ex- COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. flsi. SEASON. perimental cultivation being carried on with the co-operation of Mr Fischer ; 1st, Because he was not in the Company's ser- Despatch v * ce > an( ^ ^ndly, Because they had no desire to interfere with of the Cotton trade, but simply to improve the article ; and the ?nci ect Nov. expressed views of Mr. Fischer were connected with the Return ' commercial part of the question. The three Planters were sis. ' accordingly removed to the Coimbatore district to carry on ca tain independent operations. Mr. Hawley and Mr. Simpson were to cultivate 200 acres in the neighbourhood of the town Auust 30th f Coimbatore; and Mr. Morris was to cultivate a farm Return*" 1 ' of 100 acres at Errode, about fifty-five miles to the north- 321. ' east of Coimbatore. 40 Reported failure in consequence of a heavy mon- soon, January 1842. The American seed, consisting of New Orleans and Sea Island, was sown in September. In the following January the crop appeared to be a failure. The rains of the North-east monsoon had fallen in the beginning of October, and had proved heavier than had been known for years ; but on the 2nd of November the rains ceased altogether, and bright cloudless weather set in. The plants now began to wither away ; the leaves gradually changed their colour to a dark copper brown and became shrivelled, when the branches and bolls began to drop off, and the plant either died, or put forth new shoots and blos- soms which again fell. At this period the plants on the Red soil did better than those on the Black. Meantime the Planters took a gloomy view of the whole experiment. riv's i^uer" ^ T ' Morris expressed his opinion that New Orleans Cot- cember De " ^ on never would grow in India. Sea Island might, he Return" 1 ' thought, be produced upon the sandy coast, near tide ( 338? p> water, so that the land might be manured with salt mud mixed with shells, and enjoy the benefit of the sea breeze. As regarded Indian Cotton, Mr. Morris saw no chance of improving it ; and he believed that the Native mode of cultivation was best adapted to the Native plant. 18 41 42.] DR. WIGHT AND AMERICAN PLANTERS. 35 Sudden renovation of the crop: Dr. Wight sue- CIIAP. ceeds Captain Hughes, February, On the 24th Fe- 1_ bruary 1842, Dr. Wight succeeded Captain Hughes in the ** Superintendence of the American Planters. But meantime Dr.wight's a great change had taken place in the crop. The bright MaJ 'IBM. cloudless weather, which had lasted from the 2nd November lu 35 < 1847 ) until the 15th of January, was succeeded by a heavy fall of rain, which had the effect of refreshing and greatly revi- ving the plants. A second fall in the beginning of February served completely to renovate them ; and when Dr. Wight relieved Captain Hughes, they were quite healthy an:l full of blossom and fruit. Relative effects of the Monsoon, the Brought, and 42 the Rain upon the Cotton shrub : difference between the Red and Black soils. This great and unexpected success is thus accounted for by Dr. Wight. The sowing com- menced about the middle of September. In October, whilst the plants were still young and tender, the North-east mon- soon commenced, and then the plants outgrew their strength. On the 2nd of November the bright weather set in, and lasted so long, that the plants gradually sickened and droop- ed, until they appeared burnt up. But meantime the soft juicy wood previously formed, acquired consistence and became well matured. The second rains supplied the requi- site nourishment and stimulus to renewed growth, and a new formation of flower buds. Here must be noticed a remark- able difference between the effects of the Black and Red soils respectively upon the cultivation of the plant. Before the second rain in January and February, the Cotton in the Red soil appeared to be in the most favourable condition ; whilst the Cotton in the Black soil seemed to be utterly ruined. After the second rain the state of things was ex- actly the reverse. The plants in the Black soil were the most nourishing, whilst those in the Red soil were less pro- ductive. Dr. Wight attributed these results to the different effects of the rain upon the two soils. During the first rain COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [Isx. SEASON. CHAP. II. the Black land caked at the surface, whilst the Red land was more open, and the water drained freely off. Here then the plant suffered from the caked surface of the Black soil, and profited by the free drainage of the Red soil. But during the drought the plants were still sustained in the Black soil, because moisture had been retained under the caking. When the second rain fell, it ran off the caked Black soil, but soaked the plants in the Red soil to an injurious extent : con- sequently the plants now flourished in the Black land, but drooped in the Red land. These observations are worth pre- serving as illustration of the nature of the Cotton plant ; but we shall ultimately see that the Black soil was considered less fit than the Red for the American varieties. 43 Results of the Season of 1841-42. -The results of the Cotton experiment for this year may be gathered from the following tabular abstract of the extent and quan- tity of the produce of the Government Farms, as the matter stood on the 1st of May 1842. Description of Soil. Description of Cotton. No. of Acres. Amount of produce. Average per Acre. Black Soil ] New Orleans 94 Ibs 15,923 Ibs oz 169 6 Red Soil j Superintendent's Farm. Bed Soil I Indian New Orleans Indian New Orleans 6 6 10 2 1,340 160 4,143 125 223 5 26 10 414 4 62 8 Indian 2 300 150 120 21,991 183 4 Deduct for wastage26 acres 94 True average. 233 H 184142.] DR. WIGHT AND AMERICAN PLANTERS. 37 Samples of the Cotton were sent home and reported on by CHAP. Messrs. Tetley and Earle of Liverpool ; but no judgment - 1 _ could be formed of the quality or value from the small sam- Parl Re _ pies sent. The most important feature in the report of ^TiM*^ Messrs. Tetley and Earle was, that none of the Cotton was more cut, and some not cut so much, in the process of gin- ning, as the average American supply. Dr. Wight's plan of operations: introduction of 44 American Culture more important than that of D r.wi g hfg American Cotton. Meantime Dr. Wight seems to have arrived at the conclusion that the improvement of the Indian turn (is"?) and Bourbon Cottons was of greater importance than the introduction of American Cottons. Accordingly, during a tour through the Cotton growing portions of the Coimbatore district, he had entered into agreements with the Ryots. On the one hand, he was to pay their rent and part of their agricultural charges. On the other hand, they were to cultivate their own Indian and Bourbon Cottons according to the American system, and also to grow any American Cotton seed which he might give them ; and at the same time they were to give him one half of the crop, and the ' refusal of the other half at market price. To carry these arrangements into effect, he proposed to station the three Planters at three distinct and pretty distant points, in order that they might supervise the cultivation of the rented lands. These propositions were approved by the Madras Government, and at the commencement of the second season, we shall see them in full operation.* Early trials of the American saw gin. Before the 45 close of the first season, the American saw gin, sent * This plan, as regarded the extension of the American Cotton and cultivation amongst the Ryots, proved a failure. See Dr. Wight's remarks upon this point at the close of the first period of four years cultivation in Coimbatore, para, 84. 88 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2ND. SEASON. CHAP, out by the Court of Directors, had arrived in Madras, - and been used in Coimbatore instead of the churka, 's but had not turned out perfectly satisfactory. It clean- 1 \*$. ed the Cotton far more thoroughly than the churka ; tarn" (1847) but notwithstanding the favorable report of Messrs. Tetley and Earle, it certainly so far injured the staple, as to render it less suitable to the Native spinning. Again the working of the gin was nearly as expensive and infinitely more laborious than that of the churka ; as eight strong men turning the gin, could scarcely clean as much daily as ten or twelve feeble old women or children could clean with the churka. 40 S econd Season, 184243 s arrangement of the four Dr. wight's Experimental Farms. The arrangements already iridicat- Ymericaa 11 ed are carried out at the close of the first season. Mr. Hawley Agricui- the Planter was transferred to the Bombay Government, but February his place was filled by Mr. Henry Sherman, a European born Sfilir 1 and educated at Madras. Dr. Wight then established one (Io47; p. 350t farm at Coorchee, two at Coimbatore, and one at Oodoomul- cottah, thus : Acres. Dr. Wight and Mr. Sherman at Coorchee, . . About 200 Dr. Wight at Coimbatore, ................... 200 Mr. Simpson at Coimbatore ....... . .......... 330 Mr. Morris at Oodoomulcottah , .......... ,. . . 350 47 Three varieties of land, viz. Black, Red and Allu- 's vial, The four Farms embraced three distinct varieties of letter, to >i the Madras SOll, VIZ. Govt. 10th Nov. 1843, Pari. Re. i s t. Black Cotton ground. turn (1847) p. 360. 2nd. Red land, formed from disintegrated granite, and for the most part only a thin stratum over the subjacent rock. 184243.] DR. WIGHT ON AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 39 3rd. Alluvial land, composed of clay and sand, which CHAP. had formerly been under cultivation, but which had been - lying waste for many years, probably from having attained so high a level as to render irrigation difficult. Distribution of soil amongst the four Farms: 43 method of cultivation. These varieties of soil were thus ~ JDr. Wight s distributed. Dr. Wight and Mr. Sherman's Farm at Coor- Sift?" 1 ' chee chiefly consisted of Alluvial land ; Dr. Wight's Farm ffio| 7) p * at Coimbatore of Red land ; whilst Mr. Simpson's Farm at Coimbatore, and Mr. Morris' Farm at Oodoomulcottah, were chiefly composed of Black Cotton land, though both included a small portion of Red land. About this time Lord Elphinstone requested Dr. Wight to draw up some Notes on the A merican system of agriculture. These Notes are by no means complete in themselves, but they are valu- able as illustrating the stage afc which the Cotton experi- ment had arrived. Accordingly the substance is here exhi- bited in a classified form ; but the practical reader will do well to compare them with other results, and especially with the more matured observations of Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnic, which will be found in other paras of the present volume.* DR. WIGHT'S NOTES ON AMERICAN COTTON CULTURE AS PRACTISED ON THE GOVERNMENT COTTON FARMS. Drill husbandry : land ploughed and cast in rid- 49 ges, eight or ten inches high, at intervals of about five feet. The American system of Cotton agriculture is simply Drill husbandry. The ground is ploughed and cast * For Mr. Wroughton's Remarks on the cultivation of American Cotton in India, see paras 67-74. For Dr. Wight's "Notes on the Habits of the Ame- rican plant, and their adaptation to the seasons of India," see paras 92-118. For Mr. Finnie's " Notes on Cotton Cultivation in America and India," see paras 143-160. For Mr. Finnie's "Notes on the peculari ties of the Cotton trade in Tinnevelly," see paras 175-178. For Dr. Wight's Final Report, see paras 263-281. As regards Bourbon Cotton, see Mr. Hughes's instructions to Mr. Heath, para 34, note. 40 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2ND. SEASON. CHAP, into ridges, about four, five, or six feet apart, and about eight - or ten inches high. The distance between these ridges must compare ^ Q regulated by the richness or poverty of the soil, and by ifnCui- the variety of the Cotton grown. The object is to keep the 219. ' plants sufficiently near to each other, that when full grown the branches may meet and cross in the intervals between the ridges, and thus protect the soil from the heat and dry- ing influence of the sun. Accordingly in rich soils the New Orleans Cotton plants maybe five feet apart, but in the poor- er soils they must be nearer to each other ; as the branches naturally will not be so luxuriant on a poor soil as on a rich one. Then again the ridges for Sea Island Cotton may be seven feet apart. The primary object of these ridges is to draw off the superfluous moisture, by means of the water furrow between them ; a precaution which is especially necessary in America, where the frequent and heavy rains of spring and summer are especially injurious to the young plant. 5 Sowing in a furrow of about two inches deep along the centre of each ridge, In the Farms at Coimbatore the seed is sown thus. A slight furrow, from an inch and a half to two inches deep, is run along the centre of the ridge with a country plough. The seed is then pretty thickly scattered in the furrow, and covered in by running over it a small triangular drill harrow. 51 Scraping out of superfluous plants and weeds. When the plant is three or four inches high, and beginning to put forth a third or fourth leaf, it is thinned or "scraped ;" that is, the greater part of the superfluous plants, together with the weeds, are scraped out with the hoe. About ten or twelve days afterwards this scraping operation is repeated, to com- plete the thinning and superficial cleaning of the land. With regard to this hoeing, Dr. Wight remarked that the American plan of scraping was decidedly inferior to that 1842 43.] Da. WIGHT ON AMERICAN CULTURE. 41 which he had adopted, viz. that of freely loosening the sur- CHAP. face and digging out the weeds. Had he not gathered up '. the grass roots as fast as they were dug up with the hoe, they would have subsequently grown all the faster. This defect in the American system was, however, amply com- pensated for by liberal ploughing between the rows. Banking up the ridges, first with the plough and 52 afterwards with the hoe. When the hoeing has been completed, or a few days later, the plant is sufficiently ad- vanced to admit of the plough being used between the rows. The plough employed is small and light, such as can be drawn by a single bullock ; with it a light furrow is run within five or six inches of the plants, turning the earth inwards towards the roots to supply the place of that previously removed by scraping. This operation of banking up the roots is completed with the hoe. If the soil is foul, and at the same time soft enough to be easily worked, the plough- ing may be repeated several times, the more effectually to destroy the weeds. Keeping down extraneous vegetation until the 53 crop ripens. By the time these various operations are completed, the plant is between two and three months old, and in good soils should be between two and three feet in height. The agricultural operations are then drawing to a close ; subsequent proceedings being mainly confined to keeping down extraneous vegetation until the crop begins to ripen. The period that elapses from the fall of the flower until the bursting of the pod, is from six to eight weeks. The sooner the Cotton is picked after the pod bursts the better. This system, pursued at Coimbatore, was of course a very costly one, as compared with the simple and indolent practice pursued by the Natives. 42 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2xD. SEASON. CHAP. Native ploughs and American ploughs compared: L_ question of whether American Cotton would thrive 54 without ridging, On ploughing and ridging, Dr. Wight remarked that the Native ploughing was much less perfect than the American ploughing, unless the land was gone over several times. Again, the Native plough was not adapted to ridging, and Mr. Morris considered that the American plant would never thrive unless the land was ridged. Dr. Wight, however, did not coincide in this opinion ; and tried the experiment of doing without ridging, the results of which will be found at para 62. The subject deserved attention on account of the great dif- ference of expense. The Native plough complete only costs about twelve annas, or one shilling and sixpence ; and the small country cattle, which would suffice to work it, could be purchased at from ten rupees to fifteen rupees, or 20s. to 30s., per pair. On the other hand, the heavy American plough, and the stronger cattle required to draw ifc, would cost for the whole turn out, including harness, from seventy to eighty rupees. Thus the Native plough and cattle might be purchased for about twenty or thirty shillings, whilst the American turn out would cost from seven to eight pounds. 55 Results of the second Season on the Black, Red, ht's and Alluvial soils, 1842-43.-To return to the main "' im. narrative. The principal sowing for the second season fu a nl'(i8i7)had taken place in August and early in September; but a small portion was sown as early as July, and some as late as October. The season proved unfavour- able, in consequence of a heavy fall of rain in April, in the height of the gathering season. Prior to this storm the ap- pearance of the plant on the different soils was as follows. On the Black lands it was generally small. On the Bed land it was large and very healthy where the soil retained moisture, but small where the soil was thin and dried 1842 43.] DR. WIGHT AND AMERICAN PLANTERS. 43 quickly. On the Alluvial lands the plants grew luxuriantly CHAP. where the soil was high and drainage sufficient, but did not thrive where the soil was low and retentive of moisture. In April the weather became stormy, and a series of rains commenced which lasted a week. These storms not only destroyed the Cotton ready for picking, but also the crop which was maturing. Indeed within a week or ten days after the rains, whole fields were covered with blackened and half opened bolls, with their contents agglutinated into a dark brownish decayed mass. The plants however con- tinued healthy, and began to produce a good crop of flowers. They were therefore permitted to remain a few months longer, by which means a second crop was obtained from the Red lands. Comparison of the growth of the Indian, New Or- 56 leans, and Bourbon Cotton. The Indian Cotton plant, according to Dr. Wight, is of slower growth than the Ame- rican, and takes a deeper root. Consequently, this species is not so much affected by the heat and drought, until the soil becomes so far cracked as to allow of evaporation from the deeper strata, and thus serves to exhaust the stores of nourishment on which the plant had previously subsisted. The Indian Cotton therefore thrives well on the Black lands, which possess a wet or tenacious sub soil, but which at the same time readily throws off its surface moisture. The American Cotton, not penetrating so deeply into the soil, thrives best on the low lying portions of the Red land, towards which the moisture of the upper ones is drawn ; and again it thrives well in the Alluvial soils, which from their position are naturally loaded with moisture.* The Bourbon again takes very deep root, and bears the climate even better than the Indian plant. This opinion was subsequently modified. The excessive moisture was found to stimulate the growth of the stem, branches, and leaves, at the ex- pense of the flowers, fruit, and seed. See para 94. 44 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [3aD SEASON. CHAP. Reports of English Brokers on Dr, Wight's Cot* - _ ton. The proceedings of Dr. Wight received the approval General 5 * 7 of ^ Q ^ ourfc of Directors. About 200 bales of Cotton grown fee ter c f ou tllis > 7ear were sent h o m e, and after a careful examination of tors Dir 8iId tlie packages the folio wing opinions were expressed by the SSL'S: Brokers. turn '1847) P * m ' 58 Oopum (Indian) Cotton. The staple (about 62 bales) considered to be very short and wild, but beautifully clean and white. No difference was discovered in the quality of this Cotton, whether produced on the Black, Ked or Alluvial soil. 59 New Orleans. The staple (about 144 bales) was pro- nounced much better than the Oopum, being longer and finer, less cut with the gin, the greater part clean and of good colour, but not so white as the Oopum. Some variations were found in the New Orleans with reference to the soil in which it was produced ; that from the Black soil having the prefe- rence, the Red next, and the Alluvial the last. This Cotton averaged the usual price of the New Orleans in bond. 60 Bourbon. The staple (about 6 bales) was found much superior to either of the other, being longer and finer. Be- ing, however, partially injured in cleaning, and containing many white specks or knitters, a mixture which is consider- ed very objectionable, the sale prices did not exceed those of the New Orleans, 61 Third Season, 1843-44 : state of the Cotton Farms, letter,' 8 3rd Gins, and Crin-house. The results of the third season of May 1842. turn (iS?) ^* e Cotton experiment at Coimbatore were naturally ex- 'Sum pected to turn out better than those of any former years. motors 01 The Farms were in a better state of preparation, and Dr. ?843. ibii Wight and the Planters were in a position to profit by the patch 6 of experience of two seasons ; and moreover they had more or vernment, less manured their land by ploughing in the old stalks. 9th July 18 S4i lbid The saw gins sent out had required alterations and addi- 184344).] Da. WIGHT AND AMERICAN PLANTERS. 4 tions, but they were now placed in good working order CHAP, under the direction of Mr. Petrie, an Engineer who had ' been sent out from England expressly to work the gins and to superintend the repair of the machinery. A Colaba press iMifWd had also been forwarded in the place of an Atlas press, which Despatch had not been found to work so well as had been expected. MadmsGo- ven.ment, 6th June Unfavorable results: their causes. The results how- p 8 3 3 5 v lbid ever of this season were unfavorable, both as regarded the 62 crop and the proportion of wool to seed. Dr. Wight as- Dr.wi g ht' cribed the failure to two causes : 1st, To the circumstance November that the abundance of rain brought by the North East mon- P.WI. soon had fallen within too short a period, and had been followed by a long period of dry weather ; and 2nd, To the American system of ridging, which created a deep water fur- row on each side of the row of plants, and thus in dry seasons drained the water too rapidly off the lands. This latter idea had already been made the subject of experiment. At an early period Dr. Wight had not considered that Americano*. par * ridging was suitable to an Indian climate. Accordingly during the second year he had tried the effect of sowing on level ground ; but then the season had been unusually wet, and the ridging would have served to carry off the water. In the third year he had reverted to the ridging ; but then the season had turned out unusually dry, and the ridging drained the land too rapidly, and in fact proved worse than the level method. The real cause of the failure appears to have been the exhaustion of the soil, and the necessity for a rotation of crops. However this subject will be discussed further on. Comparison of the crops of the third Season with 63 those of the second.-The difference in the out-turn of the second and third seasons, as regarded the proportion of Cot- ton produced to the extent of acreage, may be thus ex- hibited. 46 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [4iH. SEASON. CHAP. 2nd Season, 1842-43. 3rd Season, 1843-44. Acreage 9101 acres 1,090 acres. Seed produced 207>632 Ibs. 177,126 Ibs. Average per acre 228 Ibs. 162* Ibs. The proportion of wool obtained from the season in the two different years is shown in the following table, which exhibits the proportion of wool obtained from ] 00 Ibs. of Cotton seed. 2nd Season. 3rd Season. New Orleans 29 \ Ibs. 27| Ibs. Bourbon 26 26J Oopum (Indian) 22} 23J 64 Fourth Season, 1844-45 : experiment of treating the plant as a biennial. Hither to Dr. Wight had treat- ed the Cotton plant as an annual ; that is, he had annually rooted out the old plants of the preceding year, and then resown the ground. He found however that the Bourbon variety was constantly treated as a biennial in India,* as was also the Sea Island in Egypt. Accordingly he proposed to try the experiment with New Orleans Cotton, of pruning the plants nearly down to the ground, and leaving the roots to yield a crop of fresh wood for the second year. By this method, he believed that during the second year the roots Para. 117. wou id penetrate much deeper into the ground than they did the first. The roots would thus pass into an unexhausted soil, and would therefore be better nourished ; whilst a con- siderable saving would be effected in the expenses of cul- tivation during the second year. This experiment how- Dr.wight's ever, ultimately turned out a failure. This fourth season Feb er ' i84 is chiefly remarkable for having produced a much larger umi'c 1847) and finer seed, which again produced from three to three and a half per cent, more of Cotton wool. * See foot note to para. 34. DR. WIGHT AND AMERICAN PLANTERS. 47 Comparative produce of the four Seasons. The average produce per acre of the four successive crops of Cot- ton, obtained during the four years 1842, 1843, 1844, and 1845, is exhibited in the following table. It must however be borne in mind that the crops included all kinds of Cotton, Native, Bourbon and New Orleans ; and that the figures represent the number of pounds of seed Cotton which were obtained per acre. Dr. Wight's Remarks on Cotton Cultivation in India, 1st Sept. 1845. Pavl. Return (1847) p. 391. Farms. 1841-42 Average per acre. 1842-43 Average per acre. 1843-44 Average per acre. 1844-45 Average per acre. Cotton grown. 1. Superintendent's Farm, Coimbatore 140| 125i 105-1 1. Principally American and Bourbon ; soil for the most part very poor and generally shal- low and unsuit- able. 2. Mr. Simpson's Farm, Coimbatore. 233 200f 72| 2. Principally A.merican and some Indian (Oopum) ; soil generally Black, but of very infe- rior quality. 3. Mr. Morris' Farm, 307| 199^ 136| 3. Principally Coorchee.* ' 2 vv 3 American, some Bourbon and Oopum ; soil Al- luvial but poor, being apparently exhausted by the first very luxuri- ant crop. 4. Mr. Sherman's 270| 234 229 4. First and Farm, Oodoomul- ' "4, second seasons, cottah. principally Ame- rican ; third sea- son mostly Oo- pum, which ac- counts for the high average out- turn of the third crop ; soil Black, and generally of the best quality of that sort of land. In consequence of bad health on the part of Mr. Morris at the latter UNIVERSITY OF 48 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [4iH. SEASON. CHAP. General result of the four Seasons of the experimen- ! tal Farms: necessity for a rotation of crops. The four 66 successive seasons of experiments fully established the neces- sity for a methodical rotation of crops. The first year the Farm at Coiinbatore produced a larger crop than the second, notwithstanding a great proportion was destroy- ed by the stormy weather. Again, the second season produced a larger crop than the third, though the ground had not been so well prepared. This conclu- sion was further strengthened by an experiment made by Mr. Wroughton the Collector at Coiinbatore. At the com- mencement of the fourth season Mr. Wroughton had select- ed a field at Ootacamund, which possessed no peculiarity of soil, but which had not been cultivated for many years. This field was ploughed by the Natives in the Native fashion, but sown and cultivated according to the American method. The situation derived but little advantage from the climate, for though it participated in the benefits of both the South-west and Nort h-east monsoons, yet during that season both monsoons were unusually light. The result, however, was a crop averaging nearly 1,100 Ibs, per acre, of which the greater part proved to be of excellent quality. This extraordinary out-turn far exceeded any thing which Dr. Wight and his Planters had been able to obtain, with all their labour and pains in cultivation. Ac- cordingly Dr. Wight determined on removing his Farms and cultivating fresh soil. 67 Causes of the success of Mr, Wr ought on 's Cotton experiment. Before proceeding further, it may be as well to remark that, in the latter part of 1842, Lord Elphinstone had been succeeded by the Marquis of Tweeddale, as Go- part of the second season 1842-43, he exchanged Farms with Mr. Sherman. Thus Mr. Morris became located at Coorchee, and Mr. Sherman at Oodoo- mulcottah. 1844-45.] MR. WROUGHTON'S SUCCESSFUL CULTURE, 49 vernor of the Madras Presidency. The Marquis of Tweed- CHAP. dale is well known as a practical agriculturist, and natu rallv took a deep personal interest in the cultivation of Consuita. J tion, 2nd Cotton in this Presidency. Accordingly, the Madras Go- Apni me. vernment at once called upon Mr. Wroughton, to explain the circumstances which led him to select the particular lands ; as well as the cost and method of his culture, with any particulars which would serve to illustrate the causes of his success. Mr. Wroughton ascribed his success generally to two conditions, which he considered to be absolutely es- sential in the cultivation of American Cotton ; namely, the 1846. pari, influence of the two monsoons, and the effect of an earlier (i847)p.io9. sowing than is practised by the Natives. 1st, Influence of both monsoons, The peculiar influ- 68 ence of both monsoons has already been described ; as well as the physical formation of the Western Ghauts, through see para. 7. which the South-west monsoon rushes at intervals, and thus affords certain tracts of country the benefit of both monsoons. This is the case at Courtallum in Tinnevelly; it is also the case over a very large tract of country at the Paulghautcherry Pass in the district of Coimbatore ; and it appears also to be the case in the neighbourhood of Oota- camund. In this particular Mr. Wroughton enjoyed an ad- vantage over Dr. Wight. The Farms of Coimbatore were shut out from the South-west rains by ranges of hills which at- tracted the clouds. Mr. Wroughton however chose the neigh- bourhood of Ootacamund, where the country enjoyed the be- nefit of both monsoons. Here he selected an inferior land on purpose ; inasmuch as waste lands of the same quality pre- vail to an extent out of all proportion to the better and more expensive kinds, and he was naturally anxious to ascertain if a profitable return could be secured from such a soil ; and, as we have already seen, the out-turn which followed, exceeded his most sanguine expectations. 50 COTTON IN THE HABEAS PRESIDENCY. [4. SEASON. CHAP. 2nd. Early preparation and sowing. As regarded season, Mr. Wroughton remarked that the Native mode of culture was defective. The Ryots invariably sowed their lands in October, and consequently the tender plants were withered by the North-east winds, and yielded only a stunted shrub and scanty produce. He, on the other hand, ploughed his land in March and April, and then left it fallow until the end of July, when advantage was taken of any South-west rain that might fall, to run the plough lightly over the land once more, and then to commence sowing. The sowing, however, should not take place before the end of July. Then the seed germinates, and the plant struggles against the South-west rains, gaining root without vegeta- ting too much. Care, however, should be taken not to be too late, as too much rain would prove as prejudicial as too little. Meantime the process of weeding and thinning ought to be carried on intermediately, and be repeated occasionally. By this mode the plants will acquire so great a degree of hardiness, as to be prepared for any change ; and the showers previous to the North-east monsoon, and the rains which fell during its continuance, will produce a good sized plant about three feet high, and yielding from 200 to 250 bolls. 70 Drought and Grate the only dangers to be avoided. The only evils which Mr. Wroughton had found occasion to dread were the drought and grate. If the grate entered the boll without being observed, it gradually consumed the seed ; but this evil could be avoided by sufficient vigilance. The insect never attacks the boll until the seed is ripe. Consequently, if its entrance be observed, the boll may be at once pulled off and dried in the sun. Then the grate dies immediately, whilst the bolls progress nearly as well on the ground as on the tree. 45.] MR. WHOUGHTON'S SUCCESSFUL CULTUEE. 51 Question of manure. As regarded manure, Mr. Wrough- CHAP. ton. had discovered that it should not be applied to land in ! the same year that Cotton was cultivated upon it. In fact, 71 he was very doubtful whether manure was required at all, as deep ploughing often repeated seemed to effect all that was needful. Three advantages possessed by India over Ame- 72 rica in the cultivation of American Cotton. Mr. Wroughton further remarked that three advantages were possessed by his district over America in the cultivation of American Cotton ; viz 1st, There were fewer contingencies to guard against ; 2ndly, The soil was more congenial ; and, Srdly, Labourwas much cheaper. On the first point he stated, that whilst the Indian cultivator had only two evils to dread, the drought and the grate, the American culti- vator had six contingencies to guard against ; namely, the rot, the rust, the caterpillar, the frost, and storms of wind and rain. On the second point he stated, that his land at Ootacamund had yielded nearly 1,200 Ibs. of seed Cotton per acre, which would give 350 Ibs. of clean Cotton wool; whilst the average crop of the best soils in America was only 400 Ibs. of clean Cot- ton wool per acre. But even granting that the productive power of the American soil was superior, still the cheapness of labour in India would enable the cultivator to produce much cheaper Cotton. In India the cultivation was peculi- arly a family undertaking ; little children plucking the Cot- ton, after a little practice, as well as the women. Remunerative demand alone required in India. 73 Mr. Wroughton summed up his remarks by stating, that nothing was now required in India, but a remunerative de- mand to stimulate the Ryots to the growth of Cotton. For many years the cultivation had been exceedingly neglected. Rarely had any attempt been made to produce it as a single crop. In most cases the seed was sown with three or four 52 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [4xH. SEASON. CHAP, other kinds of grain, and where it was sown alone, the land ! was insufficiently prepared. Indeed the successful and pro- fitable culture of Cotton required the investment of more capital and harder labour than was encouraged by local cir- cumstances and existing prices. 74 Cost of cultivation. As regarded the cost of cultivation, Mr. Wroughton exhibited the following tables, exhibiting the amount of charges incurred at Ootacamund on twenty two cawnies, or about thirty acres of land; from which it will be seen that more than 25,000 Ibs. of seed Cotton, producing nearly 7000 Ibs. of wool, were obtained at a cost of d32. Memorandum of charges incurred for the cultivation of Cotton at Ootacamund, from 1st July 1844 to 30th June 1845. . s. d. Assessment of about thirty acres of cowle lands - 2 8 5J Charges for ploughing lands 2 8 do. for weeding 2 5 4J do. for gathering produce - - 7 12 8J do. for taking out unclean ed Cot- ton at Coimbatore - 5 16 6f Ginning and packing - - 2 1911| Value of gunny bags purchased for Cotton bales, &c. - 4 3 8 Value of ropes for Cotton bales, &c. 0159 Hire for sewing gunny bags - - 8 7J do. for conveying Cotton on carts - 1 12 6 Pay of a cooly - 1 4 3 Value of bamboo mats - 30 do. of a large bamboo basket 2 Total. .32 10 184445.] MR. SIMPSON ON NORTH CANARA. 53 Memorandum, showing the quantity of Cotton staple and CHAP. seed produced in the field near Ootacamund from 18th July , 1844 to 30th June 1845. Bales. Ibs. Cotton wool, 1st Sort - 17 4,250 2nd - 5 1,250 3rd - - - 5J 1,375 Total 27J 6,875 Aggregate produce seed Cotton in Ibs. 25,450 Further proceedings of the Fourth Season, 1844- 75 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 Cotton. Secondly, Dr. Wight, in reply to some queries furnished this year by the Marquis of Tweeddale, entered more at detail into the character and prospects of the Cotton experiments in Coim- batore. These circumstances will be considered in order. Mr. Simpson's report on the districts of North Ca- 76 nara, bordering on Dharwar. In July 1844 Mr. Simp- Mrt Simp , son was directed to proceed to Sirsee in North Canara on Soth Bl sept! the western side of the Madras Presidency, for the purpose of reporting on the suitability of the soil and climate in the 378. Soondah and Soopah talooks for the cultivation of New Orleans Cotton. These talooks bordered on the Cotton growing district of Dharwar in the Bombay Presidency, where New Orleans Cotton appears to have been cultivated with considerable success. Accordingly, Dr. Wight consider- ed that these localities on the very borders of Dharwar would prove equally well adapted for the American variety, 54 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [4tH. SEASON, CHAP. Soondah : unfavorable from the presence of " Kun- '. kur." Mr. Simpson considered that the soil of Soondah ' ' was on the whole unfavourable ; there being in its compo- sition too much disentegrated laterite rock, called by the Natives " Kunkur." Some lands, however, were free from this objection, and might yield remunerative crops. 78 Soopah : soil favorable but climate unfavora- ble. In the Soopah talook, Mr. Simpson thought that some of the land about Mundgood and Hullial was favour- able to the growth of Cotton ; but such lands, he said, could not be easily obtained ; and the few that were avail- able 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 favourable, as a cold wind prevailed which would probably 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 dis- trict were chiefly emigrants, who came up from the country on special contracts and then returned home. Altogether he doubted whether Cotton 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 Soo- pah 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 Soondah country. 79 Mr. Simpson's opinion on the failure of the Coim- batore Farms to extend the culture of American Cotton. Mr. Simpson next discussed the general question. Assuming that the ulterior object of the experiment was ta 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 Ma- NEW OPERATIONS PROPOSED. 55 dras Presidency, rather than in unknown soils like those of CHAP. Canara. Again, he considered that whilst the American ' system and general management of the Coimbatore 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 culture. Indeed the Ryots seem- ed frightened at the immense establishment at Coimbatore. They never would regard the Planters as cultivators like themselves ; 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 80 person to distribute seed and exhibit the gins. Accordingly 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 opportunities arose. He quoted the success of Mr. Mercer, a Planter located in Dharwar, who had already disposed 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 the sums expended on the experimental Farms afc Coimba- tore. Finally, he recommended the Bellary district, in the neighbourhood of Hurryhur, as the best locality for com- mencing the operations he had indicated. Approval of Mr. Simpson's suggestions : his trans- 81 fer to the Bombay Presidency. The Marquis of Tweed- dale seems to have entirely approved of the suggestions *Mr. Simpson, and so also did the Court of Directors. Cir- Return ar cumstances, however, appear to have interfered with his m - pis- patch from being located in Bellary, and his services were transferred ^"Jc'tors^ to the Government of Bombay. i845 ct ibi gone over Pullicarny with Mr. Maltby the Collector, and 184549.] DR. WIGHT'S FOUR YEARS IN COIMBATORE. 63 found that all the high land was a barren waste, and that all CHAP. the low land was under water. Accordingly Mr. Finnie was directed to proceed to the district of Tinnevelly in the South, and to carry out operations there. Here it will be advisable to leave him, and return to Dr. Wight at Coimbatore. In- deed, the story of the proceedings of the next four years, that is from 1845 to 1849, naturally divides itself 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 Tinnevelly. Dr- Wight's New Cotton Farms in Coimbatore, 90 1845 : four points neglected in the previous experi- Dr Wil , ht>s . ments. During the four years that Dr. Wight and the Ame- i e a "* r ' fm. rican Planters had been carrying on the experimental cul- turV (185?) ture at Coimbatore, four points had been neglected, which p> however were now duly apprehended : viz. 1 st. The necessity for a rotation of crops. 2nd. The fertilizing effect of repeated ploughing prior to sowing. 3rd. 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 pursued by Dr. Wight. The Natives never dr-ew two consecutive crops of Cotton from the same land ; and therefore we re 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 com- mencement of the sowing season in October. Dr. Wight, on the other hand, had been cultivating the same lands every 64 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [184549. CHAP 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 monsoon by ranges of hills ; and ac- cordingly 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 rains were short arid scanty, and the North-east monsoon was cold and dry, being unmoisten- ed by the sea. As regards the fourth point, Dr. Wight had now discovered that the Sandy Brown Loams, generally in- cluded under the head of Red land, were better adapted to the growth of American land, than the ordinary Black Cotton soil. He had never obtained more than 300 Ibs. of seed Cotton per acre from the Black lands, whilst he had repeatedly obtained 500 Ibs. and once 1000 Ibs. from the Sandy Brown Loams ; and indeed it was from this latter soil that Mr. Wroughton had once obtained 1100 Ibs. per acre. 91 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 influ- ence 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 consequently was well prepared for sow- ing in July, produced a crop of nearly 1000 Ibs. per acre. Other fields of inferior quality produced crops of 500 Ibs. 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 1 84549.] Dn. WIGHT'S FOUR YEARS IN COIMBATORE. 65 monsoons. The South-west monsoon did not commence CHAP. before June, and then the showers were of very short dura- L_ tion ; 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 unusually 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 tem- porary 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- 92 ing sowing in May and on low .'soils. In 1847, the Man- Ivir. As pi* Chester Association congratulated Dr. Wight upon the sue- J"'s iJter" cess which he had attained, but considered that he might 1347. achieve still greater triumphs, by sowing earlier in the year, and by cultivating a 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 propa- fr COTTON IN THE HABEAS PRESIDENCY. [1845 49. CHAP, gates itself; thus showing that its seeds ought to be _ in the ground at the commencement of the rains, a sea- son which corresponds in the district of Coimbatore to the commencement of the South-west monsoon in the month of May. Again, the New Orleans plant reaches its greatest perfection, and yields the best staple, in the low lands of tropical Mexico. When taken from the tropics and grown in the low lands of the United States, its staple is somewhat impaired, 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, cor- responding to its own spontaneous sowing season in Mexico? and why not sow it on low lands near the coast, correspond- ing to the low lands where it reaches its greatest perfection ? 93 Dr. Wight's reply : July is the best time for sowing. Dr. Wight replied to the following effect. Before sowing, Dr. wight's the land must be ploughed ; and the ploughing cannot be rlrKHSl carr i e( l ou ^ until some copious showers have fallen to soften and loosen the hard, sun-baked, and impenetrable soil. The present Farms in Coimbatore enjoy the benefit of both mon- soons. 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 ear- lier, the Cotton bolls are maturing at the very time when the rains are beginning. 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. 5 49 AMERICAN PLANT IN INDIAN SEASONS. 67 2nd, Low Alluvial soils had proved a failure, but CHAP. low lands near the Coast were under trial. As re- __ _L_ garded the length and silkiness of the staple Dr. Wight ad- ^ mitted 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 Ame- rican soils than either Black clays or Red gravel. The re- sult established the theory but not the practice. The Cot- ton produced was of excellent quality, but the yield was very uncertain ; as a shower of rain, which would fall inno- cuous 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, Dr. Wight coincided in the view taken by the Association, and reported that the experiment was in progress ; Mr. Finnie, the planter, having been located in the centre of Tinnevelly, which was one of the best Cot- ton districts in the South of India, and within about forty miles of the eastern shore. DR. WIGHT'S NOTES ON THE ADAPTATION OF THE AMERI- CAN PLANT TO THE SEASONS OF INDIA. Habits of the American Plant. Some time after- 95 wards, Dr. Wight entered more largely upon the subject of adapting the time of sowing; in Southern India to the ha- 2?th s'ept. 1847 Parl bits of the American plant. Three things were to be ob- Return (1857) p. served : 167 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, 68 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [184549. CHAP. 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 proper 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 destruc- tion to simple adhesion of the fibres, or to mere slight dis- colouration. 3rd, That the prevalence of rainy weather during the period of growth promotes luxuriance and productiveness, 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. 96 Four seasons of the American Plant. The American plant, like all other plants, must have four seasons, viz. 1st, SPRING, or season of germination, when but a mode- rate quantity of moisture is required. 2nd, SUMMER, or growing season, which calls for more liberal supplies of moisture. 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 with 26th the natural seasons of the year; but in India they do not. Pari. Rel In America the winter months are the season of rest ; but P u j86.com- in India the summer months are the resting season. Thus wights i n India the Cotton spring and summer occur during the isS . M iSd rainy season, whilst the Cotton autumn occurs during the P. 221. ^ r y k ea ^ O f February, March and April. 184549.] AMERICAN PLANT IN INDIAN SEASONS. 69 Adaptation of the habits of the American Plant to CHAP. the Indian seasons. Having thus ascertained the habits IIL and seasons of the American plant in those countries where 97 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 differ- ent localities, each encountering different influences of the monsoons. 1st, Eastern, or Coromandel side, under the influence of the North-east monsoon. Sowing time in September. 2nd, Western, or Malabar side, under the influence of the South-west monsoon. Sowing time in May. 3rd, 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- 98 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 immediately subject to the heavy rains of the North-east monsoon. The course of the seasons is accordingly as follows. The rains of the South- west monsoon, which are very uncertain in quantity, com^ mence 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 wea- ther begins. 70 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1845 49. 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 Meteorological Register. 1 H . . >- MONTHS. ! g *Q o B s d TOTAL. 2 fl +> o fe , o o a 8 S a 4 W c fc fi l-s A 3 i Heat.... 84-6 83-7 82-2 78-9 76-3 75-5 77-7 80-8 83-7 Rain . . . 5-24 4-76 10- 12-42 3-25 1-33 0-23'o-36 0-63 38-22 100 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 Car- natic, there is sufficient rain for carrying on all agricultural operations continuously, from the beginning 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 mid- dle of October, 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 grow- ing season of about three months 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 Janu- ary, 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, 184549.] AMERICAN PLANT IN INDIAN SEASONS. 71 as the North-east rains are apt to be so abundant, that un- CHAP. less the seed has germinated and is above ground, it is _ liable to rot in the earth from excess 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 consequently 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 oper- ations of cold and want of moisture. 2nd, Seasons on the Western side, under the South- 101 west monsoon. On the Western or Malabar side of the Indian Peninsula, which is more immediately under the in- fluence 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 moonsoon 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 : 102 sowing in IMEay. 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 con- tinuous rains. Unless this be accomplished, in other words, unless the plant has vegetated, 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 pro- mote its growth. Then again, allowing three months and a half for the growing season, the pickings will commence towards the end of September, by which time the rains are 72 COTTON IN THE HABEAS PRESIDENCY. [184549. CHAP, over and fine weather established.* The pickings should / continue until the end of the year, unless prevented by excessive heat or a dry scorching atmosphere. 1 03 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 in- fluence was the most felt. The first rains fell in April and May, and the bulk of the monsoon in June and July, with occasional showers 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. 104 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 operations. 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 * 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. 184549.] AMERICAN PLANT IN INDIAN SEASONS. "78 required very little rain when it was once well above ground. 6HA. P. Consequently ifc was desirable to avoid 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 mon- soon, which injured all the pods just as they were ready to burst. On the whole, Dr. Wight was not at this period very favorably disposed towards localities enjoying the be- nefits of both monsoons. He anticipated more certain ad- vantages from lands nearer the coast ; which were subject to one monsoon 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 105 Cotton Districts in the Madras Presidency. The ex- periment of sowing the seed of American Cotton in the early J^ rns the spring rains, had been so strongly urged by the Manchester ^ e r r a s 1Col ~ Association, and had been so strongly approved by the Court {^n (iS?j of Directors, that notwithstanding the experience of former p ' p ' trials, Dr. WighC 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 dis- tricts throughout the Madras Presidency, and again distri- buted by them to Native cultivators in the different talooks. The results induced Dr. Wight to regard this experiment as Dr. wight's letter, 26th. the most instructive that had ever been made ; and one J*- 18 R ^- which led to a far better knowledge of the principles of the p"'" culture of the American Cotton plant in India than had then been attained. First Result : Zndia not too hot, but too cold. The 106 experiment of sowing in May was tried over a wide extent 4 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1845 49. CHAP, of country, and seemed to establish the following important L_ facts. In the first place it was seen 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 any thing 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 Cotton growing season in America : the Americans cultivating 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 warm- ly sheltered. Again on the change of the monsoon, after the North-easterly rain had ceased, and when the thermo- meter in the house sunk daily to 60 and 65, he had observ- ed that all the young plants, the produce of October sowing, ceased to grow though the soil was abundantly moist. 107 Theory confirmed by a comparison of the tempe- rature 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 Ameri- can Cotton. It was however fully confirmed by a compari- son of a meteorological register of the Cotton growing States s in America with a similar register of Madras. In Mississippi the sowing commences in April ; in the Carnatic the latter Return a ' part of September, or even the beginning of October, is con- 221'. coml sidered to be the best sowing time. The following four lines pared with Dr.wig^ht'8 o f fig ur es exhibit the temperature of the Cotton season in e! f ur Distinct localities ; viz, 184549.] AMERICAN PLANT IN INDIAN SEASONS. 1. VeraCruz, 1 9 - 1 2 north latitude, which is one of the native districts of the American plant. 2. Mobile in Alabama, 3012 north latitude. 3. Natchez in Mississippi, 31 '32 north latitude. 4. Madras, 13 -4 north latitude. 75 April. May. June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct- 1 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 82-73 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... . 84-6 83-7 82-2 78-9 76-3 75-5 77-7 80-8 83-7 Rising temperature in America, but diminishing 108 temperature in India during the growing season. From the foregoing table it will be seen that in America the seed is sown at a comparatively low temperature, 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 gra- dually 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 tem- perature is as high as it is in India during the picking sea- son 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 temperature 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 sustain- ed through the growing season ; and in January, when: T6 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1845 49. CHAP, the state of the crop calls for a high temperature, we have 1_ 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. 109 SecondResult: Carnatic not too dry, confirmedby a comparison of mean rain fall. Another important fact was ascertained at this time. Mr. Finnie, the 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 see r>aras as P ar took of the rains of both monsoons. This theory how- ever was completely disproved, and the opposite one esta- blished. The experiment already indicated was tried in the Carnatic at a season when the American plant had to struggle against a four-months uninterrupted drought, a very rare circumstance ; but even under such unusual conditions, the plant not only survived 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 monthly 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 Carnatic as compared with that of the Cotton growing country of Florida, is the more humid of the two. 127,133. April. May. June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Total. Florida. 1-09 6-34 2-39 2-84 3-30 4-36 3-33 1-49 1-13 26-16 Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Bee. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr Madras.. 5-24 4-76 10- 12-42 3-25 1-33 0-23 0-36 0-63 38-22 HO Two Methods of cultivating American Cotton in India: adaptation of seasons, and artificial irriga- tion. Two methods suggested themselves for adapting the American Cotton plant to the Indian seasons. 1st, The ar- 184549.] AMERICAN PLANT IN INDIAN SEASONS. 77 rangement of sowing seasons already indicated in the locali- CHAP. ties under the influence of the North-east monsoon, or under 1_ the influence of both monsoons ; namely, that of employing the earlier weeks of the regular autumnal period as the Cot- ton spring season, the later weeks and part of winter as the Cotton summer season, and the conclusion of winter and part of spring as the Cotton autumn. 2nd, The employ- ment of irrigation as in Egypt ; by which course the In- dian cultivator would be comparatively independent of the seasons, as by sowing in November he would secure for the growing plant a rising range of temperature in the place of a falling one. Experiments in irrigation, securing a rising tern- 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 ; thus proving clearly that high temperature, when there is sufficient moisture in the soil, is not injurious to New Orleans Cotton. This ex- periment however was only undertaken to establish the principle, 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 cessa- tion of the North-easterly rains, then- a full crop would have been obtained. Fortunately the latter experiment had been tried by Captain Lawford, Civil Engineer. Captain Law- ford wished to prove to the Natives of Tanjore, that Cot- ton cultivated under irrigation was as productive as Rice. The seed was sown in November, and the pickings com- menced about the middle of February. Dr. Wight however recommended that in carrying out this irrigation method, 78 COTTON IN THE MADKAS PKESIDENCY. [1845 49. CHAP, the water should be sparingly applied, and that little or ! none should be given from the commencement of the picking. 112 Five practical suggestions. Having thus explained Dr. wight's ^ e P r i nc ipl es f American Cotton cultivation in India, Dr. 2othMar r ch, Wight proceeded to discuss five questions of practical detail ; Ret 9 um Farl ' viz. 1st, Choice of soil ; 2nd, Preparation of the land for the } p * seed ; 3rd, Ploughing and hoeing during 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 advis- able to repeat the conclusions here. 113 1st, 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 limestone ;* a kind of soil easily worked, very permeable to rain, and easily penetrated to a great depth by the roots. Ked soils, which had a large admixture of sand securing for them the same properties, had also answered 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 considera- tion had led him to doubt the justice of the verdict. 114 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. * 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. 184549.] AMERICAN PLANT IN INDIAN SEASONS. 79 From four to six months before the sowing time, the CHAP. land should be well ploughed, the deeper the better, and L. 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 ex- cessive absorption of heat ; it would greatly promote fertility; and it would clean the land by exposing and killing the roots of all perennial weeds. Last of all, just before sowing, the ground should have a final ploughing. 3rd, Ploughing and hoeing during the growing 115 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 between the rows. If the seed be sown broadcast, this ploughing 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 con- siderable destruction during the subsequent ploughing. A second hoeing 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 suf- ficient. 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 suf- ficient to have an interval of from two feet and a half to three feet between the rows. But for moist low-lying rich 80 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [184549. CHAP 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 growing one, and unless it has plenty of room the crop blights. 117 5th, Treatment of the plant as an annual and ro- tation of crops. The last point to which Dr. Wight drew attention, was the fact that the experiment of treating the plant as a biennial, already noticed, had uniformly failed ; Para 64. ^at nowever promising in appearance the second years 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 is 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 Cot- ton seems to be a very exhausting crop. 118 Profitable cultivation of American Cotton through- s out tne Peninsula. The final results of Dr. Wight's ex- j e a n? r 'i849. perience in 1849, may thus be summed up in a few words. turn' (1857) He considered that, under the guidance of the principles al- ready laid down to suit particular localities, the cultivation of American Cotton might be successfully carried on through- out the Peninsula, excepting perhaps on the high table lands where the climate is too cold. M !) 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 efforts which had been made to introduce American Cotton and American cultivation amongst the Kyots. 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 184549.] DR. WIGHTS FOUR YEARS IN COIMBATORE. 81 Cotton seed, but chiefly by engaging to purchase the produce CHAP. at a higher rate than the market value in India ; this higher 1_ rate being adjusted to the relative market prices of American and Indian Cotton in the home market. Dr. Wight consi- see para 84. dered that this step was necessary to secure the Ryot against personal loss, until the American Cotton should have ob- tained an established 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 Dr. wight's new location, viz. in 1845-46, some Ryots were induced to veSf'im. attempt the cultivation. Unfortunately, instead of sowing turu'(i847> the American seed in 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 expe- riment turned out a failure, and no purchases appear to have been made. Court of Directors order 6OOO bales of East India 120 Cotton, 1835. Meantime the Court of Directors had direct- eel that 5000 or 6000 bales of East India Cotton, cleaned by the saw gin, should be sent out to England at one time ; in order p r v i". l iie- that some conclusive result should be arrived at respecting pTSs. 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 at Coimbatore. In 1846-47 nearly <1,200 or 12,000 rupees Parl . R g- were expended; in 1817-48 the purchases reached ^2,100, ^VSo-iSs? and in 1848-49 they amounted to nearly ^?2,600. Proposition for reducing the assessment of lands 121 under American Cotton cultivation. In 1847, the Letter 0{ Manchester Association had recommended that the whole J^il \^'_ of the 6000 bales should consist of American Cotton. Feb. m?! Accordingly Dr. Wight began to consider how to extend turn the cultivation of the foreign article. He at once made known to the local merchants who frequented the gin house, L 82 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [184549. CHAP, that he was in expectation of orders for stopping the pur- _ _ chase of Native Cotton ; and he again offered to supply DrWJ(Th( , g American seed and to purchase the produce, but without an y apparent success. Accordingly he proposed that a re- mission of 25 per cent, should be made, for a term of three or five years, on all lands under American Cotton cultivation. Sn'?ieu; Mr - Wroughton, the Collector of Coimbatore, stated in re- 3847. paS! ply, that in 1833, Government had offered to remit one half ass?) p. of the fixed assessment on the same proviso ; but that even that larger encouragement had failed to produce any exten- sion of the cultivation, and therefore Government had deem- ed 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 settlement of the district was a very dangerous and doub tful experiment, and likely to be productive of much confusion and irregularity ; and he suggested that if the amount of the proposed remis- sion of 25 per cent, should be deemed necessary for the ex- tension of the American Cotton cultivation, the amount should be added to the price given for the Cotton when pro- duced, 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. Accordingly he letter, 20th applied to the Madras Government to renew, for a further June 1847. J * JuT.!' (is*?) P eriod of five or ten years, the orders of 1833, granting 50 P. 153. p er cent, remission on all lands under American Cotton cultivation. 122 Marquis of Tweeddale in favour of the remission. The Marquis of Tweeddale was in favour of the proposed remission. He considered that if granted, it would only k r i n g a larger breadth of land under the plough ; inasmuch 1847. p2i! as a foreign demand for the American Cotton of India would ass") 11 p. in no way interfere with the Indian demand for its own 158 raw produce ; consequently the same extent of land would 1845 49.] DR. WIGHT'S FOUR YEARS IN COIMBATORE. 83 still be cultivated to meet the wants of the home consumer, CHAP, and the same rental would be received by Government ; the L_ 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. 123 The Court of Directors refused their consent to the proposed remission. They considered it would be an obvious viola- oS atc ?he tion of the general principle, which prescribes that the Directors / assessment shall be regulated by the capability of the land, ^j^""- without any reference to the particular description of pro- (1857) P , duce 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 re- duction was required in the province of Coimbatore ; for the out-turn of American 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 per- mission, 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- 124 rican Cotton, 1848. Meantime however the purchases of New Orleans Cotton effected by Dr. Wight were insignifi- rari. Re- p turn (1867) cant in the extreme. He was by no means sparing in his P- 181 84 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1845 40. CHAP, offers of high prices. Whilst Native Cotton was sold to him ! at the gin house for eight annas (or one shilling) a maund of 25 Ibs., 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 cus- toms, 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 seasons, that but for the Court's order for 6,000 bales of gin cleaned Native Cotton, the trade must have been almost at a stand still.* Under such circumstances, Dr. Wight seriously thought of pro- claiming throughout the district, that for the future he should only buy American Cotton ; and that he was pre- pared to purchase all of that description which might be offered for sale. He was aware that there were strong ob- jections to this course ; but whilst so many Ryots offered their Cotton 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 culti- vate American Cotton did not arise from any want of en- couragement, as a ready market and high prices were offer- ed to all comers. 125 Contemplated establishment of a number of small Dr wilt's Farms. In the early part of 1849, Dr. Wight consider- jan! r> im. e( i f a new pl an f r extending the cultivation of the turn (ill?) American Cotton amongst the Natives. The principles p. 189. * It 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 rival. They would rather purchase else where, and leave the field open to Dr. Wight. 1845 49.] DR. WIGHT'S FOUR YEARS IN COIMBATORE. 85 of the culture he considered to be fully established, whilst CHAP, the practice had been simplified to the utmost. He there- _ fore 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 culti- vators with the improved practice, and satisfying them that American Cotton could be cultivated by their own imple- ments, 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 superin- tending the smaller detached ones above described. Mean- time, 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 proceedings of Mr. Finnie in Tinnevelly, to which accordingly the next chapter will be devoted. 87 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.) Sug- gestion 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.) Nothing however would induce the Ryots to adopt the American Satv 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. (134.) 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 of culture to the Ryots. (137.) Mr. Finnie's tour from Courtallum to Coim- batore, July. (138.) Preparations for assisting Dr. Wight in completing 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 years pro- ceedings 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 import- ance than soil. (145.) Nature of the lands in America, on which the Ame- rican 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. (150.) Successive operations necessary to raise a crop : clean- ing old land 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. (156.) Machinery : Gin- 88 CHAP. House, Gins, Press, and Driving Machinery. (157.) Price of land : fluc- IV. tuates with the price of Cotton. (158.) Minimum price at which American ~" Cotton could be produced, four pence per pound. (159.) Prospects of India : labour in America and India compared. (160.) Reduction of the Indian Land-tax on Cotton grounds would neither benefit the Eyot nor extend the culture. (161.) Mr. Finnie's second season, 1846-47 : planting operations succeeded at Courtallum but failed at Sevacausey. (162.) Mr. Finnic 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 neighbouring Zemindars : their failure. (165.) Cotton Brokers rather than Zemindars should be in- duced to adopt the Gin. (166.) Mr. Finnie's proposal for erecting a Gin- House and Cattle Driving Machinery in Tinnevelly. (167.) Purchase of Cattle Driving Machinery sanctioned : relative c ost 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 incon- sistencies. (170.) Mr. Finnie's general objections to the gin discussed by Dr. "Wight. (171.) Mr. Finnie's proposition for erecting a gin house of two stories : the lower one for the Driving Machinery and the upper one for the gins. (172.) Hire of a temporary gin house at Aroopoocottah. (173.) Erec- tion 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. EINNIE'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 : adul- teration 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 con- ducting the ginning operations at Aroopoocottah. (180.) First, High prices demanded by the Eyots for their seed Cotton. (181.) Second, Heavy expenses of ginning. (182.) Necessity for improving the construction 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 culture at Sevacau- sey, Virdooputty, and Aroopoocottah. (186.) Agency operations : Mr. Finnic requests permission to proceed to England to consult with the Cot- ton 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.) Recom- 89 mends the introduction of small hand threshers and cheap presses. CHAP. (191.) Small hand threshers and presses sanctioned. (192.) Mr. Thomas Iv - believed that Cotton was not adulterated by design, and that good Cotton was often sent home. (193.) No market or Agency required in Tinneveliy. (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 Tinneveliy Cotton equal to Ameri- can. (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 Tinneveliy," which no one could mistake for American. (199.) Large shipments of churkaed Cotton con- trary to the orders of the Directors. (200.) Dr. Wight's system of pur- chase compared with that of Mr. Finnie's. (201.) Madras Chamber of Commerce confirm Dr. Wight's valuation of Mr. Finnie's Cotton. (202.) Manchester Commercial Association pass a similar 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. (20-5.) 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. Finnic refused permission to extend his operations to Coim- batore. 91 CHAP. IV. CHAPTER XV. FOUR YEARS OF EXPERIMENTAL CULTURE UNDER MB. FINNIE IN TINNEVELLY. 1845 TO 1849. Labours of Mr. Finnie and Dr. Wight com- 126 pared. 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 cul- ture in the Madras Presidency ; and also in endeavouring, by large purchases from the neighbouring Ryots, to fulfil the order of the Court of Directors for GOOO 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 ope- rations 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 American Cotton, and the use of the American Machinery, into this Presi- dency ; but whether he acted from a sincere conviction of their inutility, or whether, as a patriotic American Planter, he systematically endeavoured 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 narrative of his labours will prove highly valuable. As a Planter, he pos- sessed a practical knowledge of American Cotton cultivation as it was carried on in the Southern States; whilst during his residence in India, he had familiarised himself to a con- D2 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [Isx. SEASON. CHAP, siderable 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. Finnic was also a man of sense and shrewd- ness, his own observations, extracted and condensed 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 unfavorable impression respecting the possibility of any great improvements being speedily carried out through the aid of American seed or American machinery. 127 First season, 1845-46 : Mr. Finnic 's first impres- sions of Tinnevelly. Mr. Finnie proceeded toTinnevelly 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 26th le j a e n' a pl an f operations to the authorities. As regards the R 8 e 4 tu'rif ar1 ' capabilities of the Tinnevelly district, he appears to have at p. ^g ^ me f orme( j a favourable opinion. Both the 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 mon- soons ; 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 the shore. As regards the Native cultivation he was less sanguine. The Natives sowed their Cotton broad cast, frequently with 184546.] MR. FINNIE'S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 93 other kinds of produce, and then left it to take its chance ; CHAP. so that ifc was a mystery to him how they obtained a Cotton 1_ crop at all. If however they could only be induced to pay more attention to the cultivation, 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 rendered equal to Upland Georgia. There would however 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 128 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 produce of Cot- ton. Thus, whilst, as a Government Servant, 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 arti- cle. He therefore 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 dif- ferent merchants at home, that he was prepared to supply the article. An Agency would also increase the profits of both 129 Ryots and Merchants, and double the exports. Mr. Finnie's arguments were not unlike those of Mr. Fis- cher already noticed in para 38, and may be exhibited thus. The Cotton in this country goes through too many hands. The Cotton is purchased from the Ryots by the Native 94* COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [!ST. SEASON. CHAP. 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 Kyot from whom he buys, and the Agent to whom he sells, and the price of the Cotton is further swollen by the charges of the European houses of Agency. In Tinnevelly, 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 in- crease 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. 130 Nothing however would induce the Ryots to adopt the American Saw Gin. As regards separating the staple from the seed and cleaning it for the home market, Mr. Finnie believed that nothing, not even an agency, would induce the people of India to recognize the advan- tages of the American saw gin. The circumstances of America and India, in respect to the use of this machine, were altogether different. In America, where slave labour j was valuable and time was money, a Planter could invest his capital profitably in machinery. 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 Ibs. Was it likely there- fore, that a Native would pay four rupees for having a candy of Cotton cleaned in six hours by an American gin ? If the man could get no employment during that month, he would 1845 46.] MB. FINNIE'S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 9 lose the whole four rupees ; and even if he did get work else- CHAP. where, 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 esta- blished 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 ; 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 there- fore 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 separation by the Native churka, it was clearly impossible that the extra outlay for ginning could be made to pay. 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 described 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 sepa- rated 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 peo- ple. 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 96 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [!ST. SEASON. CHAP 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.* 132 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 connected with the cultivation of New Orleans Cotton, the encourage- ment of the Kyots by purchasing Cotton as an Agent, and the introduction, or rather non-introduction, 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 operations as a Cotton Agent ; and, thirdly, what he actually did as regards the churka and the saw gin. 133 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 Mr. Fin- country enjoyed the benefit of both monsoons. Accordingly soth June in June 1846, Mr. Finnie proceeded on a tour to Courtallum * Return " in the Western portion of the Tinnevelly district, which 263. P ' __ * 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 exact chronological order. 1845 46.] MB. FINNIE'S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 97 lies under the range of mountains between Tinnevelly and CHAP, the Native state of Travancore, and which enjoys the in- _ fluence of both the North-east and South-west monsoons. Necessity for the co-operation of the Natives : em- 134 ployment of hired labour by the European always a loss. Mr. Finnie's ultimate object was to test the capa- bilities 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 in- fluential Ryots to plant an acre or two each, on their own account, but according to his directions. Nothing in- deed could be done without the co-operation of the peo- ple ; for it was an established fact, that if the people would but adopt the improved agricultural method, they could always produce the raw material, whatever that mate- rial might be, very much cheaper than any European could do by the hired labour system. Mr. Finnie knew from ex- perience, that the hired labour system afforded such nume- rous opportunities for peculation, that it was impossible for a capitalist to follow that system with any profit in India in the growth of any article whatever. First intercourse with the Ryots s allays fears and 135 suspicions. On the 1st of June 1846, Mr. Finnie reached Courtallum, and made the people acquainted with his object. On the 3rd, he was visited by some of the more respectable Eyots, who asked for an explanation 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 be- yond 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 suc- ceeded, the Government would raise their assessment ; but 98 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [!ST. SEASON. CHAP, upon this point he succeeded in satisfying them. Thirdly, ^' the question arose as to where they should sell the new Cotton. This last argument Mr. Finnie had as yet no autho- rity 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. 136 Explains the improved method of culture to the Ryots. Having thus satisfied the scruples of the Natives, Mr. Finnie went out and planted a small field before their eyes. At their -desire he then accompanied them into the. country to look at their fields ; and the party 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 ask- ing for seed. These results encouraged Mr. Finnie to believe, that the people would speedily cultivate the American Cot- ton throughout the whole area under the influence of both monsoons : whilst those who only cultivated the Native Cot- ton under the North-east rains, would gradually adopt the new plan of sowing in rows, and of ploughing between the rows. 137 HI*- Finnie's tour from Courtallum to Coimba- Mr Pin- toire J July. On the 1st of July, Mr. Finnie set out from Jarf Di Re- Courtallum on a kind of exploring and itinerant Cotton planting expedition, along the foot of the hills northwards 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 Court- allum, he found the land deprived altogether of the South- west monsoon ; and all was arid and sterile, until he had ad- vanced 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. 184546.] MR. FINNIE'S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 90 Preparations for assisting Dr. Wight in complet- CHAP. ing the Court's order for 6OOO bales. During Mr. Finnie's short stay at Coimbatore, Dr. Wight had an oppor- 138 tunity of conversing with him, upon the exertions necessary Dr . wight's for completing the order of the Court of Directors for 5000 July, 'me. Parl. Re- or 6000 bales of ginned East Indian Cotton. Dr. Wight turnjiss?) 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 ginning. Mr. Finnie permitted to act as Agent: restricted 139 to Cotton ginned and prepared on the American Minutes of principle, August. Meantime, Mr. Finnie's request to be {JJJ' U ^ h permitted to act as a private Agent for the purchase of Cot- pLi. Rel ton, had been refused. The Madras Government expressed pl'fiu itself fully aware of the importance of securing a local market to the Cotton growers, but considered that Mr. Finnie as a Government servant could not engage in com- mercial adventures. Subsequently, however, the Madras Go- vernment discovered, that the privilege asked by Mr. Finnie had already been granted by the Bombay Government to Mr. Simpson, another American Planter, on the very ground urged by Mr. Finnie ; namely, that if the Planters appeared as purchasers, their instructions would command greater attention than would be given to mere abstract recommenda- tions. Accordingly, a similar permission was granted to Mr. Finnie, but under the same restrictions as those imposed at Bombay ; namely, that the purchases should be restricted Aug! 1340. to Cotton ginned and prepared on the American principle. tum'(i857) Restriction removed. Mr. Finnie appealed strongly 140 against the restriction to ginned Cotton. He repeated all Jie ; s his previous objections to the use of the gin. He again 1846. stated that what was wanted was a machine like a thresher ^| 57 ) to clean the staple, before the people had separated it from 100 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [!ST. SEASON. CHAP, the seed by the churka. At the same time Mr. Finnie ' requested permission to connect himself with a house or t houses of Agency, as he found it impossible for an isolated Son 8ult 2nd ^dividual to trade in Cotton. Both these requests were con- Par?. 1 ReI ceded by the Madras Government ; and thus Mr. Finnie was /. 1857 ' 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 ap- pears to have been no breach between Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie. Dr. Wight supplied Mr. Finnie with three saw July. 1846. fin* (1857) &" 18 ' two ^ twen ty fi ye saws, and one of twenty saws, to P, 266; foe worked by hand. He requested that Mr. Finnie might be furnished with sufficient funds for the purchase of seed Cot- ton 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 rea- lize in the English market. Dr. Wight considered this last measure 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 permission nie'sietter, granted to Mr. Finnie to purchase churkaed Cotton harmo- 1846. Pari. n ized with Dr. Wight's own views. A distinction however Return 0^857) p. mus t be made, between the authority which he received to i ht's P urcnase on Government account seed Cotton for ginning SeT' is*? towards making up the 6000 bales, and the churkaed Cotton Parl " (1857) f r threshing to make up the 600 bales ; and the permission turn p, 33f, granted him to purchase any Cotton he pleased on private 184546.] ME. FINNIE'S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 101 account, as Agent to any merchant who might consider it CHAP, expedient to engage his services. This however will be no- _ ticed further on. Meantime it will be sufficient to say that Mr. Finnie secured the thresher already alluded to. He also ordered an American hand-gin made by Mr. Idler of Phila- delphia, 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 sanc- tioned by the Madras Government. Nothing of course was Mr> Fin . done during the first season, as Mr. Finnie could not ob- sist^Oot! tain Cotton except of the poorest quality, and moreover had Return ar no house in which to set up his gins. 339. Queries submitted to Mr. Finnie by the Marquis 142 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 Para 47 * Notes on American Agriculture, which he drew up at the Mi ute by the Mar- request of Lord Elphinstone, have already been exhibited in ^/ the second Chapter. In the same way Mr. Finnie replied }^ p at considerable length to certain queries propounded by the *857) U Marquis of Tweeddale ; and the results are accordingly con- densed and arranged in a similar form. MR. FINNIE'S " NOTES ON COTTON CULTIVATION IN AMERICA AND INDIA." Early cultivation of Cotton in America: compar- 143 ed with the present cultivation in India. The earliest Mr. Fin- Cotton cultivated in North America is supposed to have 8 * 8 .* the queries been brought from the Grecian Archipelago. It was first j^ e Ma jj' f tried in Virginia, but the season between the last frost 102 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [!ST. SEASON. c ^Jy p> of spring and the first frost of autumn, was found to be too short to produce a profitable crop. Still however it was i6th NOV. raised for domestic consumption, until a more favorable cli- Returif ari> mate was discovered. Subsequently, the early emigrants, ITS'.. p ' journeying westward from Virginia to Kentucky, 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 unknown. 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 Ame- rican 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. During the long winter evenings, and during bad weather, when no out door work could be performed, the Negro men and children were en- gaged in separating the Cotton from the seed, whilst the Negro women were employed in spinning and weaving the wool to clothe themselves and the family. Gradually the gin was introduced. One gin house was established in every neighbourhood, and ginned the Cotton for the neighbouring Farmers, whilst the owner of the gin received payment in kind. But meantime adventurous settlers had pushed still further to the South. The climate of Alabama and Missis- sippi was found to be even more favorable 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 Cotton, which the women were to spin the next day. 1845 46.] MR. FINNIE'S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 103 Climate discovered to be of more importance than CHAP. soil, During this period of emigration, the early adven- _ turers 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 greafc desideratum. A good soil in a favorable climate will pro- duce a large quantity of fine Cotton ; a poor soil in a favor- able climate will produce Cotton a little inferior ; but an unfavorable climate and poor soil will produce an article inferior in quality and deficient in quantity. But however rich the soil may be, no profitable crop can be produced unless the climate is propitious. These remarks refer to the climate which is essential to the production of Ame- rican Cotton. As regards the climate of Southern India, Mr. Finnie believed (1847) that it produced a very good article of indigenous Cotton, which only requir- ed care and cleanliness to render it very useful and valuable. He feared however that the Indian climate was not suited to the New Orleans variety. Nature of the lands in America on which the Anie- 145 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 Cotton does not produce a good crop in the first season after the land is cleared ; the great quantity of extraneous matter causing it to grow to long watery shoots, which yield no fruit. Accordingly Indian corn is generally 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 favorable climate. 104 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [!ST. SEASON. CHAP. Manure, consisting of old stalks and rotten seed, IV> buried in a furrow between the rows. The land, says 146 Mr. Finale, is manured when required. The poor old land is manured early in the spring, by running a deep furrow between the old rows, which are filled up with the old Cot- ton 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 Cotton 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 ma- nure ; 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 ploughing 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 subsequently broken up. This is done to save time, the great object being to get the seed into the ground as early as possible. 147 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 and thick fogs at night ; these however are soon dispelled on the appear- ance of a bright sun, which usually prevails in the morning and during the whole day. The rains may be thus charac- terized. During spring, summer, and autumn they consist of heavy bursts of frequent showers. During the winter the climate is proverbially 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. 1845 46.] MB. FINNIE ON COTTON CULTIVATION. 105 Rotation of crops : alternation with Indian corn CHAP. IV occasionally necessary. The Cotton plant fills the land so full of its own excretions, that after a few years the ground 148 is rendered unsuitable for the reproduction of the plant in a healthy state. But Mr. Finnie doubted whether the con- tinued 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 crop of the corn, and the next year would be again fitted for the production of Cotton. Capital required in American cultivation. Any 149 sum from 20,000 dollars to 200,000 might be invested in an estate. The first amount would yield a handsome profit, pro- vided 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 proper- ty ; 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 Para l75 ' conducted by a Superintendent, whose reputation was re- volved 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 : 150 cleaning old land and clearing new. In America, says Mr. Finnie, the life of a Cotton Planter is one of incessant labour. In the first place, great care is necessary to ensure a good and regular stand of plants ; and secondly, in the gathering season, constant attention is necessary to ensure the cleanliness of the Cotton : but when the hands employ- ed 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 annually granted to the Negroes, is over by the 1st of January. The first operations of the Planter are to clean and 106 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [!ST. SEASON. CHAP, prepare his old land, and to clear a piece of new. On the L_ old land, advantage is taken of every interval of fine weather, for a few steady ploughmen to ran the manure furrow al- ready described between the old Cotton 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. 151 Planting, The planting season lasts from the first to the thirteenth of April. The first of April is the great com- mencing 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 furrow may drain the surplus spring showers. Next follows 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 according 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 husbandry. A ccor- dingly, 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 corresponding intervals of from six to twelve inches, or even of fifteen inches where the land 184546.] ME. FINNIE ON COTTON CULTIVATION. 107 is very rich. In India three inches in the drill, and two feet CHAP. 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 remarked, 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 commences 152 immediately after the plants are above ground. This ope- ration 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 the land. To achieve this object a few careful 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 ::::: If both the plants live, one of them is pulled out at the next hoeing. 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 continue in rapid succession, each round occupying from fifteen to twenty days, until at length the pods begin to open. During 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. 108 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [!ST. SEASON. CHAP. Gathering. The gathering season commences about IV> the middle of July, when only a few of the first formed 153 bolls begin to open. Before however these have been gather- ed 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 day sin the week from daylight to dark the hands are in the field, except when they are interrupted by rain, which is always injurious during the picking season, when dry wea- ther 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 250 Ibs. per diem, aver- aging in fine weather about 200 Ibs. ; a result which strange- ly 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 Cotton 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. Uncertainty of weather : average crops. As regards the general failure of a Cotton crop, Mr. Finnie says that he had never known of such a case in America. Every year the speculators who have a stock to sell get up a cry of fai- lure ; whilst those who wish to buy exaggerate the probable produce of the season in order to lessen the price. The rea- son why there never is a general failure seems to be as fol- lows. 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 1845 46.] MR. FINNIE ON COTTON CULTIVATION. 109 best crops in a dry season, or rather in what the Americans CHAP. 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 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 season, it usually falls at intervals of a few days. If no 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 hob sun follows immediately afterwards ; 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 arrow 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 proverbial 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'' working to so great a 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 neighbour 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 Ibs. of clean Cotton per acre ; the seed Cotton yielding from 30 to 31 per cent, of clean Cotton. Mr. Finnie considered that some lands might pro- duce such a crop ; but he was inclined to estimate the average at about 300 Ibs of clean Cotton per acre. 110 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [!ST. SEASON. CHAP Expenses of Cotton cultivation : produce estimat- IV ' ed, not at so much per acre, but at four to eight 155 bales per Negro. According to Mr. Finnie, it is impos- sible to calculate in detail the expenses of cultivating one acre of Cotton ; because tbere are slaves employed, who receive no wages, and who are also employed in cultivating other things beside Cotton. The produce is always roughly estimated at so many bales to the " hand," varying from four to eight, according to the ability of the Planter and the season. This estimate is exclusive of the other things pro- duced for home consumption. 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 machinery has long supplanted the hand- wheel. Altogether 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. 156 Machinery, Gin-house, Gins, Press, and Drawing Machinery. The expense of American machinery per acre, cannot be calculated anymore than the expense of cul- tivation. The following machinery must be purchased by the Planter, whether he produces one hundred bales of Cot- ton, or six hundred ; excepting perhaps that he might pro- duce the former with one gin only, whereas he would require two gins to produce the latter. Dollars. Gin-house from 2,000 to 2,500 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... 4,350 18454)6.] MR. FINNIE ON COTTON CULTIVATION. Ill But the mode of procedure in America is so different CHAP. from that in India, that the most exact estimate in de- L, 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 clean- ing 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 it to a degree that much injures the staple. Accordingly, Mr. Finnie considered that the Ame- rican gin was only suited to the American Cotton ; that the two must go hand in hand ; and where the American Cotton failed, the gin would prove useless. Price of Land: fluctuates with the price of Cotton. 157 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 un- known, and the value of an estate is never calculated so closely. A Planter who is compelled 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 object. 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 pro- duce of that which is under culture. In a word, land in the Southern States has no fixed value, but seems to fluc- tuate with the price of Cotton. 112 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1 3 T. SEASON. CHAP. Minimum price at which American Cotton could IV ' be produced, four pence per pound. As an illustra- 158 tion 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 counteracting the efforts which were being made in that direction. It was then de- cided that so long as the American Planters could get eight cents (4d) per Ib. for their Cotton, delivered at the nearest market, they could afford to produce it ; but that if a supply from any other quarter could be obtained for less than that sum, they must then turn their attention to the cultivation of other commodities. Thus by adding Id. per Ib., to the 4c. for expenses to England, we have the minimum price, 5d. per Ib., at which it is said America can produce the ar- ticle. All therefore that remained to be done in India, was the production of an article of an equal quality but at less cost. 159 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 production ; that under any circumstances all good American Cotton, and all good Indian Cotton, would ever find a market. Ame- rica 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 pos- sessed 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 184546.] ME. FINNIE ON COTTON CULTIVATION. 113 money invested in the purchase of a labourer in America, CHAP, added to the actual cost of his maintenance, would pay for ' nine able-bodied men in India. It was true that the Ame- rican 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 employ- er. But still, if the people of India could only be induced to undertake themselves the improved cultivation of the American Cotton, the advantages they possessed in nume- rical 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. Reduction of the Indian land-tax on Cotton 160 grounds would neither benefit the Ryot nor extend the culture. As regarded the land tax in India, or Government assessment upon the lands, Mr. Finnie said that there was no land tax in America. At the same time he expressed an opinion that a general re- duction or abolition of the land tax on Cotton grounds, would neither benefit the Ryots nor extend the cul- ture of American Cotton. There might be individual cases where the land-tax was oppressive, and where the load 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 increased, his credit is increased in a like ratio ; and he avails himself of his credit to the fullest extent, and his banker reaps the bene- fit. Therefore, if Government did not collect a pice of re- venue, the " poor oppressed Indian Ryot" might cease to be the theme of declaimers and grievance mongers, but he 114 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2 ND . SEASON. CHAP, would be the u poor oppressed Indian Ryot" still. The ' only difference would be, that he would change his Eu- ropean master who had tried to deal fairly with him, for a ruthless monied fellow countryman, whose sense of justice would nob be very acute. 161 Mr. Finnie's Second Season, 133:8-3:7: planting operations succeeded at Courtalhzm but failed at Sevacausey. To return to the narrative of Mr. Finnie's proceedings inTinnevelly. At the commencement of the second Mr. Fin- season he planted some New Orleans Cotton at Courtallum, nie's let- A April Ind w ^ icn enjoyed the benefit of both monsoons, and also at ?847. Si'.' Sevacausey, which enjoyed the benefit of only the North-east ^Sg" PI monsoon. The results are not given in any detail. At j and 279. 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 circumstances produced a good return. At Sevacausey the result was different Not a plant lived through the long drought which generally pre- vailed, excepting those which had been sown on one small field, that had been cultivated and irrigated by a Ryot of intelligence and zeal. This field yielded a crop of American Cotton which was much liked by the people, and they ex- pressed a willingness to plant it again the next year. Ac- cordingly Mr. Finnie distributed seed, and agreed to take ine's letter, the produce in seed Cotton before separation, at two rupees 18th March i84s. Pari. per podhee of 280 Ibs. above the market value of the Native J 155. Both these two propositions subsequently under- went some extraordinary transformations. The second 118 COTTON IN THE HABEAS PRESIDENCY. [2ND. SEASON. CHAP, however involved the relative merits of cattle labour and IV * manual labour, and therefore may be first discussed. 167 Purchase of Cattle Driving Machinery sanctioned: relative cost of cattle labour and manual labour. Dr. wight's Mr. Finnie's proposal for the purchase of the Cattle letter, lith NOV. 1846. Driving Machinery, was strongly supported by Dr. Wight, tU 338 (1857) an d accordingly sanctioned by the Madras Government. There was some discussion about the locality, but finally Mr. Fin- the village of Sevacausey was chosen in the district of Tin- sist ocY. nevelly, as being the centre of an extensive Cotton growing ijeturu country, and also as containing many establishments for se- Finnie'? 11 " P ara ^ing the Cotton staple from the seed with the Madras Dec?' 1846! churka. As regarded cattle labour and manual labour, Dr. lldp ' 317 ' Wight had already tried both methods in Coimbatore. For the first three seasons he had worked his gins by hand la- Dr.Wight's J Nov 184? hour, the coolies contracting to gin so many maunds of seed t ? uTn' (1857) Cotton for a certain sum. Subsequently he had employed p> 338 ' cattle labour, and then he had discovered that cattle labour in ginning 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. 168 Change in Mr. Finnie's views as regards the Cat- tle Driving Machinery. By this time Mr. Finnie'smind had undergone an apparently unaccountable change. The proposal for purchasing the driving machinery had been made in October 1846. In November it had been forwarded to Government with the recommendation of Dr. Wight ; and Mr. Fin- on the 2nd January 1847, the purchase had received the ne- ilS lo ja".' cessary sanction. On the 1 3th January, Mr. Finnie acknow- ttetu'm dr ' ledgedthe receipt of the authority to purchase, but'stated that 350. P> be had changed his mind as to the expediency of employ- ing cattle labour, and was considering whether by lessening the friction of the gins, they could not be driven best by ma- 184647.] MR. FINNIE'S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 119 nual labour. He therefore requested that the purchase might CHAP. be postponed. Dr. Wight seems to have been somewhat irri- __ ! _ tated by this sudden change in the mind of Mr. Finnie. He Dr w . ht>g stated that the purchase of the machinery had been fairly jJJJfVgJgl completed ; and that without such machinery, it would be fun,' (issrj impossible to complete the Court's order for six thousand P * 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 ni. twenty-five saws each, should be worked by coolies at the other end of the room. The result was that the Madras Government ordered the purchase money for the driving Ap'ri machinery to be paid. At the same time, Mr. Finnie was u/n' (i857> called upon to state what he now intended to do with the P ' 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 Di- rectors, stating that the Manchester Association objected to the use of hand gins. Mr. Finnie' s explanation of his apparent inconsis- 169 tencies. Mr. Finnie's explanation of the causes which . . R ! r - Fin " led him to advise the purchase, may be given in a few "j^ s le 5J, er * words. The Ceylon machinery had been recommended to him by both Dr. Wight and Mr. Petrie as early as February 1846 ; but being anxious to conduct his 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 opi- nion 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. Ae- (1857) p. 355. 120 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2ND. SEASON. CHAP, cordingly, though he had represented that ginning operations _'__ were impracticable as a mercantile transaction, yet he had recommended the purchase of the driving machinery, in or- der that no efforts on his part might be left untried for giv- ing the experiment a fair trial. His reasons for subse- quently 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 work- v ed 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 willing to work, provided they were paid. 3rd. Hand gins were new to him, as they were never used in Mississippi ; 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 machi- nery, such as the cost of the machinery itself, the cost of transportation 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 conse- quently move too slowly when drawn by bullocks whose speed would not exceed two miles an hour. The general question however appeared to be partly settled by the Man- chester Association, who had expressed a decided preference for the gins moved by cattle machinery over the gins moved by hand. But, notwithstanding this authority, Mr. Finnie still believed that the experiment which was about to be conduct- ed, would test the relative merits of cattle gins and hand gins ; and would thus prove more satisfactory to the merchants and manufacturers, than if conducted with the cattle machinery 184647.] MR. FINNIE'S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 121 alone. The President of the Association had indeed said CHAP. IV 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 ? Mr. Finnie's general objections to the Gin discussed 170 by Dr. Wight Whilst this discussion had been carried on about the driving machinery, another discussion had been going on about the gin generally. Mr. Finnie's views Paras 130> have already been exhibited. He considered that the I3L 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 versus churka, depends upon whether ginned Dr Wi ht , g Cotton will fetch a higher price in the English market than jfe^'mit. churkaed Cotton ; and that question is in a fair way of being f u a r r n' (1857) solved by the experiment in progress, of sending home 6000 P ' bales of ginned Cotton and 600 bales of churkaed Cotton, to ascertain the relative prices which they would fetch in Man- chester. When the relative selling prices have been ascertain- ed, it will be easy to discuss the question of relative cost prices. Thus Mr. Finnie had stated that the Ryot might lose Para 13 - 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 mer- chant would be able to pay that four rupees per candy, and yet secure a still larger profit for himself. On the other hand, should the gin be found to injure the staple of Native Cot- ton, it would be soon discarded. Similar opinions were ex- Mr Petrie , s pressed by Mr. Petrie, the Engineer employed in Coimba- D tore to keep the gins in repair. If the ginned " East India Cotton" fetched a higher price in the English market, then the gin would most assuredly force its way into India ; just Q 122 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2 N D. SEASON. CHAP, as machinery for shortening labour, or for cheapening it, or L_ for doing it better, had forced its way into other countries, even when it had proved a temporary hardship to the masses. 171 Mr. Finnic >s proposition for erecting a Gin-house of two stories : the lower one for the Driving Machi- nery, 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- Mr. Fin- house. He now proposed that this house should be about 78 isf a le oec! feet long by 24 feet broad ; that it should contain six rooms, Return ' three on the ground and three on the upper floor ; that the 343. com- room in the middle of the ground floor, and the one in the pare his D"C "me 1 m iddle of the upper floor, should each be 30 feet long by 20 k roa d i n t* ne inside ; and that the four end rooms on the ' 346 ground floor and upper floor should be each 20 feet long by 20 broad.* These two stories of three rooms each, were thus to be appropriated. The upper story was intended for the gins, and the ground floor for the driving machinery and storing of the Cotton, according to the following arrange- ment. On the upper story, the two end rooms were to be appropriated to the gins, which would discharge their Cotton into the centre room between 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 * This would seem to give a measurement for the whole house of 70 feet long and 20 feet broad, instead of 78 long and 24 feet broad as above indicated. But the difference is accoimted for by the thickness of the walls. 1846 47.] MB. FINNIE'S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. store rooms. The wheels in the lower room would be con- CHAP. nected with the gins in the upper rooms by a single band L. 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 revolu- tions 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 pro- posed to effect by passing the under part of the band over the brush wheel, and thus driving it in an opposite di- rection to that in which it drives the cylinder. After some ^JJJ"^ f little discussion, the erection of the gin house at Sevacausey J^pt. i 5 *?. on the above plan was finally sanctioned at a cost of 2699 tan!' rupees. Hire of a temporary Gin-house at Aroopoocottah. 172 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 gathering season for ] 847 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 to assist l)r. Wight in completing the Court's Mr order for six thousand bales. Accordingly, about the com- mencement of the gathering season, he induced the Head man at Aroopoocottah to rent him a house at seven rupees 279, a month, and a godown at three rupees (6s.) a month, for the purpose of ginning Cotton to complete the Court's order. 124 COTTON IN THE MADEAS PRESIDENCY. [2D. SEASON. CHAP. Erection of three gins and a thresher s their effect ' upon the Natives. Having made the necessary alterations 173 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 opera- tions. Accordingly they came in crowds. He showed them the advantages of the gin over the churka ; and they all ap- peared 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 implement. From what Mr. Finnie could learn, they ap- peared to reason thus : " Here is a gentleman who is come amongst us, and who proposes to trade in Cotton like our- selves. He brings machines which are new to us, and which evidently clean the Cotton beautifully ; and he ge- nerously offers, either to let us have the machines, or to work them himself in cleaning our Cotton. That the Cot- ton he produces is superior to our own cannot be doubted ; and it will certainly rule the market 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 infe- rior 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, 184647.] MR. FINNIE ON INDIAN COTTON TRADE. 125 and if there was a market for the ginned article. Hitherto, CHAP. 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 profit- able than the best and cleanest article they could get. The ginned Cotton, they admitted, was certainly superior to their own churkaed Cotton ; but then they always engaged to de- liver 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 improvement. Mr. Finnie consi- dered that this argument was conclusive. Dr. Wight had Para no. already stated that ginned Cotton only brought in England one farthing more per pound than the common 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 there- fore rested solely upon the willingness of the merchant and manufacturer 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. MR. FINNIE' S NOTES ON THE PECULIARITIES OF THE COTTON TRADE IN TINNEVELLY. Systematic adulteration of Indian Cotton: tran- 175 sactions between the Ryots, the Brokers, the Chit- ties, 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 126 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2ND. SEASON. 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 a banker so far as he makes advances to the Broker, who again makes advances to the Ryot, for the purpose of securing the Cotton crop when it is ready for delivery. 176 The Ryot: improvident and helplessly in debt. 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 advance 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." 177 The Broker: adulteration of the Cotton by the "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 chur- ka, 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 " Devil's dust" system, in order to secure 184647.] MR. FINNIE ON INDIAN COTTON TRADE. 127 a living profit. This system may be thus described. The C **A.P. rotten Cotton seed, which had been thrown on one side lest L. 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 ob- ject in view is to thoroughly mix the good and bad fibre to- gether. Accordingly, two men go into 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 arti- cle, he delivers it to the Chitty just as it is, with the addi- tion 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 handful or two of seed to every bundle, or lets it get in by accident ; and in this state the Cotton is finally delivered to the Chitty.* The Chitty: tricks played with the European 178 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 * A curious instance of adulteration is recorded by Dr. Wight. On one occasion he had several bales of damaged American C otton, which he did not think worth the cost of sending home ; and accordingly 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 Cotton 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. 128 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2ND. SEASON. CHAP, his European Agent, before he himself makes his contract ' with the Broker. The contract 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 deli- very 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 engagements to meet ; that they have made all their arrangements for shipment ; and that perhaps they have a ship waiting, and presses lying idle. Under such circumstances he delivers his Cotton to the Agent, who has merely to receive it. The Agent ex- amines the Cotton 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 deliver- ing, as the gentleman will not take the Cotton. The Agent then takes the rejected bundle to induce the Chitty to pro- ceed 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 threaten- ing to throw up the contract ; and then the Agent, or rather the young man employed by the Agent to receive the Cot- ton, 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. Within 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 article. The consequence of all these proceedings is, 1846 47.] MB. FINNIE'S FOUR YEAHS IN TINNEVELLY. 129 that the English manufacturer will only give a low price for CHAP. Indian Cotton, because he never knows what he is buying, '_ 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 179 in the way of conducting the ginning operations at Mr FiQ Aroopoocottah. Notwithstanding Mr. Finnie had secured a temporary gin house in good working order at Aroopoo- cottah, he had still to contend, according to his own account, 363? 7) p ' with two great difficulties. 1st. He could not purchase good Cotton from the Ryots at market price. 2ndly. The expenses of ginning were so heavy, as to render its use utterly impracticable as a mercantile transaction. 1st. High prices demanded by the Ryots for their 1 SO 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 com- pelled 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. Go- vernment 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. 130 COTTON IN THE HABEAS PRESIDENCY. [2ND. SEASON. CHAP. 2nd. Heavy expenses of ginning. Mr. Finnie sub- .. mitted at the same time a tabular statement, exhibiting the 181 cost of ginning operations. This estimate was confined to Mr. Fin. ^ ne actual expenses of the day, excluding the rent of the 23?d S ^ept! house, and the cost of machinery and superintendence, fletum ' Moreover, he reported that the business was conducted, and uso. tetter,' the expenses disbursed, under his own eye ; and consequently Messrs Ar- w ^ n greater celerity and stricter economy than could be ex- co! hn 26th pected when left to the Native servants. From his state- ibid plIS", nient, which is exhibited on the opposite page, it would 366< seem that the net cost of every pound of gin cleaned Cotton was nearly 3|d. Accordingly, Mr. Finnie inferred that it was utterly impossible to use the gin in cleaning Cotton as a mercantile transaction. He also reported the same re- sults to Messrs. Arbuthnot and Co,, of Madras ; and the Messrs. Ar. latter concurred in his conclusions, but trusted that a ma- co'sjetter, chine might yet be constructed, which would clean the 1847. Pari.' Cotton in a manner equally efficient, and at a less cost. Return 365 57) p * ^ke Statement of Mr. Finnie bears the following title : " Tabular Statement, showing the quantity of seed Cotton cleaned in a day by one Thresher and three Gins, two of twenty-five saws, and one of twent}?- 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 Ib. in English money." 184647.] MR. FINNIE'S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 13 1 CHAV. MR. FINNIE'S TABULAE, STATEMENT. **' Time required to clean No. of Saws. 100 Ibs. of Seed Cotton. h m. !No. 1 ,. .., 25 1 5 No. 2 25 2 7 No. 3 20 about 1 Ibs. Total of Seed Cotton in Ibs., Avoirdupois 1,700 Total of Clean Cotton in Ibs. obtained from the Seed 370f Average of Ibs. of Clean Cotton obtained from 100 Ibs. of Seed 21-81 Cotton Seed in Ibs. after separated from the staple 1,280| Average of Seed obtained from 100 Ibs. of Seed Cotton after ginning . . 75*33 Loss and Trash from Thresher in Ibs 29| Do. per 100 Ibs. of Seed Cotton 1-73 Loss and Trash under the Gin in Ibs 18 Do. on every 100 Ibs, of Seed Cotton 1-06 Loss and Trash and small particles of ^Cotton in Flue in Ibs 1 Do. on every 100 Ibs. of Seed Cotton 0-06 Impercepti 1 le loss in Ibs 1 Do. on every 100 Ibs. of Seed Cotton 0-11 n. A. r. s. d. Cost for Seed Cotton of six Podhees at Us. 7-10 (15s. 3d.) per Podhee 45-12-0 = 4-11- 6 Cost of labour for ginning, or separating the Seed from the Cotton .... 7- 9- 6 = 0-15- 2~ Cost of cloth, sowing, packing, twine, and oil for gins ,,., 2- 7- 6 = -4-ll| Total cost of 1,700 Ibs. of Seed Cotton 55-13- = 5-11- 7f Deduct amount realized for Seed, Us. 1-6 (2s. 9^.). ... 7-15- = 0-15-10f Net cost of 3 7 Of Ibs. of Clean Cotton, exclusive] of Establishment and Superintendence 47-14- = 4-15- 9 Rate per candy of 500 Ibs. of Cotton after deducting amount realized for Seed 64- 9- = 6- 9- 1| Net cost per Ib. of Clean Cotton 0- 0- 3f 132 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [SfiB. SEASON. CHAP. Necessity for improving the construction of the ' Gin. Upon the relative working of each of the gins, 182 M r . Finnie reported as follows. It will be remember- Mr. Fin- ed that he had two 5 saw gins, and one of 20 saws. 23rd sept.' Each of the two 25 saw gins required thirteen men a day to 1847. I'avl Return ' 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 pro- nounced by Mr. Finnie to be the best he had seen in India. These facts served to show that much depended on the con- struction of the machine, and that further improvements might yet bring the gin into constant and profitable use in India. 183 Third season, 1847-48 : stage of the Cotton ex- periment in Tinnevelly. The general operations of Mr. Finnie during his first two seasons at Tinnevelly do not ap- pear to have been attended with any particular result ; be- yond ascertaining the facts that American Cotton would yield a good crop inlocalities enjoying the benefit of both mon- soons, and that the American gin as then constructed could not be profitably employed in commercial transactions. Ac- cordingly, he now desired to extend the cultivation of Ame- rican Cotton, and to take steps for ensuring the co-operation of the manufacturers and merchants at home. Planting operations: successful culture of Ameri- can Cotton in the Court all um valley. It has already been seen that the American Cotton grown during the second 1847 48.] MR. FINNIE'S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 133 season had only proved really successful in the Courtallum CHAP. valley, which enjoyed the benefit of both monsoons. Accord- ' ingly, early in the third season, Mr. Finnie obtained the Go- Mr Fin _ vernment sanction to establish a model plantation of about SJtb le Aprii a hundred acres in the same quarter. The cultivation was to June ill?! be carried out upon lands held by Government, and under tu?i* his own superintendence, either by hired labour or by con- P< tract at so much per acre ; but the cleaning, planting, and preparation of the soil, were to be accomplished by Native implements, as an example to the landholders, and as an inducement for them to adopt the culture on their own ac- count. At the same time, Mr. Finnie proposed to distribute seed to all who were willing to cultivate the American Cot- ton, and to take the produce off their hands at a fixed rate per candy on Government account ; and he hoped that in time he should be able to retire from the culture, aud leave it entirely in the hands of the people, merely taking the pro- duce at its value. He was perfectly satisfied that the American 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 neighbourhood of those favoured spots would find the cultivation a profitable source of employment. The Government sanction was given on the 30th of June, and Mr. Finnie immediately proceeded f u a r r n' to Courtallum to commence operations ; but on his arrival p ' the heavy burst of the South-west monsoon was over, and he had to wait until the 10th of September before he could iS8. M pi! commence clearing and planting. Notwithstanding, however, (1857 p. 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, 135 and Aroopoocottah. During this same season, Mr. Finnie ordered a few acres to be planted with American Cotton at the three stations of Sevacausey, Virdooputty, and Aroo- 1 34 COTTON IN THE HABEAS PRESIDENCY. [3nD. SEASON. CHAP, poocottah ; merely, however, out of deference to the advice IV> of Dr. Wight, and merely to prevent his opponents from nie'siettei" sa y in g tnat tne experiment had not been fairly tried. At ill?. pS.' the commencement of the season he expected a complete 0857 P . failure, but the results do not appear to have been quite so Mr.' Fin- unsatisfactory as he had anticipated. At the close of the jjth | pjji season he reported, that 0857) P en pl a i ns > those in pro 278 and yielded some Cotton. ' Fin jth | pji season he reported, that whilst the plants had failed in the 0857) P en pl a i ns > those in protected spots had grown very well 186 Agency operations : Mr. Finnic requests permission Mr Fin- to P roceed to England to consult with the Cotton ^'^Manufacturers. About Christmas time, that is after the Kurn drU Cotton had been planted but before it had begun to ripen, Mr. (iss?) p. yj nn i e began to grow exceedingly disgusted with his forced 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 Seva- causey, 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, without I have the co-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 iett V e e r" u nth to patronize the measures which they urge on the Honora- Parf. Re.' ble Court of Directors." The Marquis of Tweeddale approved turn (1857) f this proposition, an( i recommended it to the favourable ? f n ti ce of the Court of Directors. The Court however did 1848. ibid not see that any advantage was likely to accrue from such a proceeding, and therefore declined to comply with it. 184748.] MR. FINNIE'S FOUB YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 135 Operations with the Churka, Thresher, and Oin : CHAP. meeting of the Cotton Brokers of Tinnevelly. Whilst __J Mr. Finnie's proposition to visit England was under the con- 187 sideration of the Court of Directors, he was still engaged, Mr. Fin. ,. , . , t , -i nie's letter. according to his own account, in endeavouring to secure the asth March 1848. Parl. co-operation of the people in promoting the improvement of Return their Cotton. On the 28th March 1848, he had a meeting 28s? 7) with the principal Cotton Brokers of Aroopoocottah, and explained his views respecting the importance of attending to the cleanliness 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 pre- pared to use it for taking the dirt and trash out of the Cot- tori ; first, hecause 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 188 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 first put in the thresher, and then churkaed, for the purpose of ascertaining the cost of this mode of cleaning. Mr. Finnie reported that Jj g letter", the result was highly favourable. The relative cost of clean- 1347. Par ing a candy of 500 Ibs. of Cotton, he estimated as follows : 288. Ks. A. P. s. d. With the Churka ....... 4 14 8='0 9 10 With the Gin ............ 10 3 10 = 1 5J 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 136 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [3RD. SEASON. CHAP, churka cleaned Cotton ; and this process cost Rupees 1-5-9, L_ or 2s. 8f d, 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 construct- ed, 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 D 4s. per candy. To this was to be added the beating, which cost 2s. 8 \d. per candy ; and the carriage to the ship- ping port, which cost 2s. 10JTH. SEASON. CHAP, would be less than the cost ; whilst the enormous expense ' would frighten the people from the culture. On the other hand, by distributing 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 appear to have met with no response from the Madras Government. At the time they were written, the Marquis of Tweeddale had departed for Europe, and Sir Henry Pottinger had succeeded "him as Governor of the Presidency. 204 Mr. Finnic 's matured judgment against the cul- ture of American Cotton or use of the American gin. nie : letter* Shortly afterwards, Mr. Finnie had occasion to record his 1849 Pa3* ma ^ui*ed opinion in favour of the indigenous Cotton and Na- U857 p. ti ye churka, as opposed to the American Cotton and American 191 ' 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 occasional showers of rain after the 1st of Febru- ary when the weather became warm, and if the ravages of insects could be also avoided, then the American Cotton 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 operations in seed Cotton, but must leave such work in the hands of the Native Brokers. 205 Pronounces in favour of the Indigenous Cotton and Native Churka. But whilst holding the foregoing opinions, Mr. Finnie looked hopefully forward to such im- provements in the Indigenous Cotton and the Native clmr- 184849.] MR. FINNIE'S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 147 ka, as would accomplish for India what never would be in- CHAP. sured by either the exotic plant or the foreign machinery ; namely, the extension and improvement of the Cotton of her soil, and the consequent prosperity 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 exten- sion, that better culture would ensure 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 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 inducements offered them to keep the dif- ferent qualities separate, and the best clean Cotton unadul- terated with inferior sorts. If the Natives could make more money by selling the quantities separate, than they could by selling them mixed, then of course they would keep them separate, and much unadulterated Cotton would be exported from India. Native Cotton should be first threshed, next chur- 200 kaed, and finally cleaned by hand, As regarded the separation of the staple from the seed, Mr. Finnie was satis- fied that the time honoured churka was a much more efficient instrument than was generally supposed ; and he did not believe that abetter substitute would easily be found. Two other processes were however necessary, one before and the other after the churkaing. Before the Cotton passed through the churka, the dirt, trash, and rotten locks, should 148 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [4 TH . SEASON. CHAP, 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 impurities 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 tedi- ous ; but in 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. 207 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 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 in a small house Mr. Fin- which he had hired at Aroopoocottah : but during the second nie's letter, 1848 ?arl' season ne on ty ginned nine candies of Cotton, and during U857) a P the third season only thirty-six candies ; thus making forty - 198> five candies in all, each candy being equivalent to about a bale. But early in 1849, the new Gin house, which had been commenced at Sevacausey for the reception of the Driving Machinery purchased at Jaffna, was fast ap- Jette? M z4th P roacn i n g completion. The delay had arisen from the dif- pS! 1 18 Rel Acuity of procuring timber, which had become scarce and p!soo ( . 1857) dear in Tinnevelly, 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 sixty saw gins from Dr. Wight, and the Driving Machinery from Tuticorin, where it had been lodged ever 184849.] MR. FINNIE'S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 149 since it had been purchased. The idea was to keep the CHAP. three hand gins working in the hired house at Aroopoocot- ' tah ; 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 question 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 nil's letter", end. The result was that the two 60 saw gins were obtain- 1849. Pari". ed and set up ; that the Driving Machinery was also set up ; 057> p. and that twenty bullocks and drivers were obtained from the Commissariat department. The three hand gins how- ever never appear to ha-ve been forwarded to Sevacausey. Relative cost of the Churka, the Hand-gin, and 208 the Cattle-gin. But though Mr. Finnie had not been Mr Fin _ able to set up both the hand-gins and the driving machine- mh sl s"pt'. ry in the same house, he was still enabled, a few months af- Return terwards, to furnish the following table of the relative cost 373? of the churka, the hand-gin, and the cattle machinery. Cost of separating the staple from a Candy of clean Seed Cotton. R. A. P. . s. d. By the Churka 4-14- 8 = 0- 9-10 By the Hand-gin (contract).. 6-14- 4 = 0-1 3-9 By the same (hired labour)... 10- 3-10 = 1- 0-5| By Cattle machinery 8-13- 6 = 0-17-8J Mr. Finnie pointed out that, according to this table, the hand-gin, even when worked by contract, was more expen- sive than the churka ; without taking into consideration the original outlay, or the cost of wear and tear. Then again the 150 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [4xir. SEASON. CHAP. Cattle machinery was much more expensive than the hand- L_ gin ; and if the calculation were made for the whole year, the Cattle machinery would be found infinitely more expen- sive, as the bullocks and drivers would have to be kept up constantly, even when no ginning was going on. If how- ever the 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. 209 XWfr. Finnic refused permission to extend his ope- Fiu- rations to Coimbatore. Whilst the Cattle machinery rf.' was thus being put in working order at Sevacausey, Mr. Ret 9 urn ar1 ' Finnie requested permission to extend his operations to soo. P ' Coimbatore. He stated that the people of Tinnevelly and Madura were now sufficiently aware of the impor- tance of attending to the cleanliness of their Cotton ; and 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 Aroopoo- cottah no longer required such constant personal attention from himself ; and he consequently desired 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 su- pervision to Coimbatore ; where he promised not to come in conflict with Dr. Wight, but to devote himself to per- suading 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 Governor in Council Consulta- t > M a n> im was no ^ di s P ose d to accede to his application ; and that uSn' (18&7) pending certain measures which were in contemplation, and p> 3 l * which would be communicated in due course, it was thought 184849.] MS. FINNIE'S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 151 best that he should confine his operations to the districts of CHAP. Madura and Tinnevelly. In other words the Madras Go- , J vernment 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 following October, Mr. Finnie appears to have been on his way to England ; but before noticing the circumstances which immediately preceded this event, it will be necessary to glance at a few particulars which are best narrated in a separate chapter. 153 CHAP. V. CHAPTER V. DISPUTES BETWEEN DR. WIGHT AND MR. FINNIE, DISCUS- SIONS OF THE MADRAS GOVERNMENT AND COURT OF DIRECTORS, AND FINAL CLOSE OF THE EXPERI- MENTAL CULTURE. 1849 TO 1853. (210.) Marquis of Tweeddale succeeded by Sir Henry Pottinger : breach, between Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnic. (211.) Mr. Finnic 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. Finnic to Dr. Wight, 7th November 1848 : "Ihave had great difficulties in ginning, but have induced many Natives tp plant American Cotton." (214.) Dr. Wight to Mr. Finnic, 15th November : " Your pur- chase of churkaed Cotton is illegal, your culture of American Cotton unsatisfactory, and your ginning too expensive." (215.) Mr. Finnic 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 Direc- tors upon the experimental culture. VIEWS OF THE MARQUIS OP TWEEDDALE. (218.) Propositions qf the Marquis of Tweeddale in 1847 : First, To re- linquish the experimental Farm in Coimbatore. (219.) Second, To establish small Model Fields under a practical Agency, amongst the Native Culti- Yators. (220.) Third, To set up small Gin Establishments, and to keep up good roads to the Ports. (221.) Limits to Government Agency : the Manu- facturer should purchase direct from the Ryot. VIEWS OF THE COURT OF DIRECTORS. (222.) Dispatch of the Court of Directors, 1848. (223.) First, The Cot- ton 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. 15* VIEWS OF SIR HENRY POTTINGER. (225.) Minute of Sir Henry Pottinger, May 1849. (226.) The Experi- mental Farms have been fully tried, and their continuance would be injuri- ous. (227.) American Cotton in any part of the Madras Presidency 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. Finnic to remain in Tinnevelly till October to instruct the East Indian lads in the use of the gins, etc. (232.) Dr. Wight should break up his Establishments in Coimbatore immediately. (233.) Gin-houses at Coimbatore and Aroopoocottah to be placed under the Collectors for the use of the Ryots. (234.) Unfounded complaint of the Manchester Association : the Manchester Merchants ought to help themselves. (235.) State of Dr. Wight's Farm at Coimbatore, May 1849 : 500 acres held by contract and 200 acres worked by contract. (236.) Application of 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. Finnic' 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 Go- vernment, 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 employment 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 reversed. (252.) Favourable re- ports 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 Ex- periment, 1850-52. (256.) Colonel Lawford's cultivation by irrigation in Tanjore. (257.) Mr. Wroughton's Collectorate Farm at Coimbatore. (258.) Mr. Thomas's opinion upon the best method of inducing the Ryots to cultivate American Cotton. (259.) Cotton cultivation by Mr. David Lees in Tinnevelly: discussion concerning the right of Chayroot renters. (260.) Discussion respecting the purchase of American Cotton on Govern- 155 ment account from the Ryots of Timievelly. (261.) Authority for the CHAP. 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- pects 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.) Ryots encouraged by their own success to extend the cultivation. (267.) Large results in 1850-51 and 1851-52. (268.) Ryots adopt Dr. Wight's practice. (269.) Refutation of the theory that the cli- mate and soil of India are unfitted for American Cotton. (270) First, The theory is founded on the asstimption that Indian Cotton has succeeded when the 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.) Differ- ences between India and the Mississippi do not prove that the soil of India is inimical to American Cotton. (273.) Soil of Southern India : latter compared with that of Georgia. (274.) Climate of Southern India not so congenial as that of Georgia : evil obviated by sowing in Au- gust or September. (275.) Leading principles of Cotton culture in the Car- natic : sowing before the North-east monsoon and selection of soil. (276.) Objection of Native Spinners to the soft and silky fibre of the New Orleans Cotton. (277.) Difficulty of separating the seed from the staple, and prejudice against the seed as food for Cattle. (278.) Nothing wanted to secure receive a rapid extension of the American Cotton culture, but a steady market and competition. (279.) Cotton cultivation on the Coro- mandel Coast : New Orleans, Sea Island, Egyptian and Brazilian. (280.) Partial success 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 report. (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 Ma- dras Government. (285.) First, The Government Farms had not proved injurious, but the groundless suspicions of the Ryots. (286.) Second, The Government Agency had not proved unnecessary as it removed the suspi- cions of the Ryots. (287.) Retirement of Dr. Wight and final despatch of the Court of Directors, 1853, 157 CHAP. V. CHAPTER V. DISPUTES BETWEEN DR. WIGHT AND MR. FINNIE, DISCUS- SIONS OF THE MADEAS GOVERNMENT AND COURT OF DIRECTORS, AND FINAL CLOSE OF THE EXPERI- MENTAL CULTURE. 1847 TO 1853. Marquis of Tweeddale succeeded by Sir Henry 210 Pottinger : breach between Dr, Wight and Mr. Finnic. In 1849 the Cotton experiment in India under- went a new 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 in- structions, would of course be unworthy of notice, di(J 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 dia- metrically opposed. Dr. Wight had expressed his belief that American Cotton might be profitably cultivated throughout the Peninsula, excepting on the high table lands, where the climate might prove too cold ; and accordingly he p a ra iso. had been endeavouring to ascertain by actual experiments, the principles 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 contrary, had expressed his belief that American Cotton could not be pro- fitably grown in any part of India, excepting perhaps in such isolated spots as enjoyed the benefit of both monsoons ; and 158 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [184749. CHAP, accordingly he had only planted a little American Cotton ' at Courtallum, and engaged a few Ryots to plant a little fas** 8 l27 ' m <> re at Sevacausey and Aroopoocottah, but from almost the very first had regarded the latter experiment as a failure. Again, Mr. Finnic considered that the American gin, how- ever well adapted to American Cotton, was wholly unsuited to the Indigenous Cotton ; first, because its working was too expensive in a country where labour was so cheap ; and Para 204. secondly, because it cut the fibre of the Native Cotton. Ac- cordingly, instead of cultivating " an exotic like American gnnpare^ Cotton, in an oasis like Courtallum," and " looking after the 23r' d s le De C r ; working of three miserable gins " at Aroopoocottah, he had hi* 7 ' lette?, devoted himself to the extension of the cultivation of Native 1848. Pari! grown Cotton, and to the improvement of its quality by (i857jp.276, methods already available to the Ryots. The point how- ever 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 him- self from ginning to any great extent, on the ground that his three hand gins at Aroopoocottah would not work pro- perly, and that he had not got his gin house and driving machinery erected at Sevacausey. These matters, together with some others, are worthy of being briefly narrated. 211 Mr. Finnie convinced of the folly of cultivating American Cotton in India : Br. Wight recommends pr. wilt's his removal. In 1847, Dr. Wight was informed that two of letter, 26th Pai' l R I' ^ e American Planters, who had returned to England fromlndia, had reported that American Cotton could only be grown in peculiar climates, such as those of Dharwar and Coiinbatore. Accordingly, he represented this facfc to the Madras Govern- ment, declaring it to be a mere hypothetical deduction, based on an imperfect acquaintance with the climates of India ; 1847 49.] DISCUSSIONS OF DR. WIGHT AND Mil. FINNIE. 159 adding however, that he should have considered the judg- CHAP. ment 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 O Cotton that would be produced at Aroopoocottah." Ac- Mr. Fin- nie's letter, cordingly, about three weeks afterwards, Mr. Finnie com- Jjjth N v - plained to the Madras Government, that Dr. Wight had JgSjJ^g. accused the American Planters of forming a " conspiracy," for the purpose of discouraging the British public from per- severing in the cultivation of American Cotton. The Madras Government however, stated in reply that no such commu- nication 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 Dr.wiht's ' American seed, he stated that he was " more and more con- Par). Re- vinced of the folly of trying to make this country (India) p U1 i n 81 (1857) produce American Cotton." In reporting this statement to Government, 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 Tinne- velly and Madura, still it was contradicted by the fact that good field grown American Cotton had been raised in those districts, both recently, and also in former years by the late Mr. Hughes. Under such circumstances, he was convinced para 33. 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 removed from the locality where hehadbeen 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 cultivated, 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, 1 know not ; but I 160 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1848 49. CHAP believe very little." In another letter, referring to Mr. Finnie's sample of Tinnevelly Cotton already noticed, Dr. Wight severely commented on Mr. Finnie's inconsistency. Su^JS It seems that on the 4th of May 1848, Mr. Finnie had con- P"?L' ^e- suited Dr. Wight officially, as to what measures he should p^Sa. adopt to overcome the obstinacy of Native dealers in with- holding their Cotton at reasonable prices ; whilst on the 24th of the same month, only twenty days afterwards, he stated that he had nearly a whole village engaged in pro- ducing Cotton of a very superior quality, and pledged him- self to have ultimately the whole crop of Tinnevelly cleaned according to his particular pattern. 212 Points of the dispute: summary of the correspon- dence. The rupture betweenDr. Wight and Mr. Finnie began about the time of the change of Governors. Sir Henry Pot- tiDger the new Governor, however, declined to take any pottiners notice of Mr. Finnie's sentiments or of Dr. Wight's criti- Blinute 1848 pad' c * sms > an< ^ f course within a few months the correspondence (IS?) n between the two 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. DISCUSSION BETWEEN DR. WIGHT AND MB. FINNIE. 213 Mr. Finnie to Dr. Wight, 7th November 1848 : " X Mr. Fin- kave had great difficulties in ginning, but have in- 7 t h Sle No e v r :duced many Natives to plant American Cotton."- E^funf" 1 ' Having been ordered by the Madras Government to assist 198. P * you in fulfilling the orders of the Court of Directors for 6000 bales of ginned East Indian Cotton, I have 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 procuring seed Cotton. Brokers here go themselves to the Ryots to buy the seed Cotton ; so 184849.] DISCUSSIONS OF Da. WIGHT AND MR. FINNIE. 161 that instead of the Ryots bringing their Cotton to me, as CHAP. 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, Tinnevelly however is filled with Chitties who purchase for the European agents ; whilst there are also numbers of Brokers, who gain their living by churkaeing the Cotton, and who will not see me deprive them 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 1 have had considerable trouble. The coolies, who turn the wheels, have hitherto refused to work excepting by the day; arid I have only just been able to induce them to work by contract at three rupees, or six shil- lings, per 1000 Ibs. of seed Cotton, including threshed work. A s 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 -most we can do with all three is to gin 1760 Ibs. of seed Cotton per diem. As regards the introduction of American Cotton, about which you are so anxious, 1 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 pro- duce a hardier plant than the American, and one more pro- ductive and of finer staple than the Indian. \v 162 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [184849. CHAP. J>r. Wight to Mr. Finnic, 15th November : " Your purchase of Churkaed Cotton is illegal, your culture 21 4 of American Cotton unsatisfactory, and your ginning Dr. wight's too expensive." In reply to your letter, I have to notice letter, 15th x J J Novembei- your purchase of churkaed Cotton, your inducing Natives 0857 ^ pl an ^ American Cotton, your sowing two species together m to obtain a cross, and your ginning operations. As regards the purchase of churkaed Cotton I can offer no opinion ; as the purchase of a marketable article in the bazaar is for- bidden by the Company's Charter, and would require the special sanction of Government. As regards your having induced some Natives 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 satis- fied, 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" ta try and make American Cotton grow in Madura or Tinne- velly ; and now you will not try, lest you should ruin the reputation you imagine yourself to possess. Whilst however you do nothing, lest you should waste a few rupees of public money ; you feel no compunction in inducing the poor Na- tives to risk their little capital, and their labour, in an un- dertaking which you confidently pronounce to be hopeless. As regards your expectation, that by sowing the two species of Cotton together you may succeed in obtaining a cross, hardier than the one and more productive than the other ; lean only say that I can give you but little encouragement, 184849.] DISCUSSIONS OF DR. WIGHT AND MR. FINNIE. 163 as such a result would be contrary to the laws of nature. CHAP. To obtain such a cross it would be necessary to open the 1_ flower 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 Ibs., or three shillings and four pence per 1000 Ibs. One 25 saw gin cleans 1,000 Ibs. of seed Cotton in about ten or twelve hours ; and one 19 saw gin cleans 750 Ibs. 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 some- thing wrong in the gins. This last I apprehend to be the case ; as in examining the alterations 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 Cotton 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 Br. Wight, 13th December: "My 21 5 plans have all been approved by the authorities." Mr Fin . I shall not discuss the subject of the suitability of the Ame- "Jfif^JDec! rican Cotton to India, nor of the American gin to Indian Return al Cotton. I shall simply explain what you have misunder- 202. stood, and correct your erroneous views. You now remark that the purchase of bazaar Cotton is prohibited by the charter ; but in 1846 you recommended the purchase of 164 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1848 49. CHAP, such Cotton as was ordinarily churkaed by the people. As ' regards my proceedings in the cultivation of American Cotton, I have strictly adhered to the plans which I pro- Paras 127, posed in my letter of the 26th January 1846, to which you made no objection. In deference however to your views, and contrary to my own judgment, I recommended the es- Para. 203. tablishment 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 Government 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 introduce the exotic. In the first, which is my primary purpose, I have been most suc- cessful ; and I 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 ? I have 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 Ibs. 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 1 have done in the way of culti vat- ing 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 botany is concerned, I yield to your superior knowledge. 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 184849.] DISCUSSIONS OF DR. WIGHT AND MR. FINNIE. among palmyra trees, and those that are most protected by CHAP. the hedge look the best. I merely state these as facts, and ,J base nothing on them either for or against the success of the plant in this country. Both the Red and Black lands, es- pecially if well manured, would produce Cotton, if at the same time they enjoyed 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 land is unsuited for the Ame- rican Cotton ; and it was on this very account that you removed your experimental farms to a locality where there is nothing but Red land, and which moreover has the bene- fit 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 properly, 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, 3Oth January. You are 216 correct in saying that in 1846 I recommended the purchase of J & . . Dr.Wighf's churka cleaned Cotton, in order that it might be tried toge- !*<*. ^th ther with ginned Cotton by English spinners. This sugges- J^- tion was approved both by the Madras Government and the p * 205 * Court of Directors ; but 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 : observ- 166 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [184849. CHAP, ing, as I presume, that the purchase of the ready prepared ' marketable article would change the character of the trans- action from an experimental to a commercial one, and thereby involve our Honorable Masters in an illegal proceeding. This was the reason why I recommended you to apply for fresh instructions, before engaging in a transaction which might bring the Government into collision with the mercantile in- terest, as being a departure from the provisions of an Act of Parliament. A s 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 culti- vate American Cotton, you would easily have obtained it. If however you applied fora farm of 500 or 1,000 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 Para 90. is most erroneous. 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 expe- riment tried ; and indeed supported your application for em- ployment 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 2J feet and 3J feet high, and loaded with bolls, and only waiting for the bright sunshine to burst. That sown in the beginning of October is just now opening into flower, 1847.] VIEWS OF THE MARQUIS OF TWEEDDALE. 167 and is only about one foot high, evidently kept back by the CHAP, 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 in- jured their working properties, and then complained of 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 experi- ment in any form, was being brought under the consider- ation of the authorities. The whole cost of the experiment, ' Statements which in 1847 had reached two lakhs and a half, or ^25,000, JJSJ^ 8 " had now in 1849 reached to very nearly four lakhs or ??"%- 40,000 ; though from this sum total must be deducted pTsg. } about half a lakh, or 5,000, for money received as the 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 Govern- ment upon the matter, can be best understood ; first by noti- cing 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 experi- mental culture in this Presidency. VIEWS OF THE MARQUIS OF TWEEDDALE. Minute of the Marquis of Tweeddale in 1847: 1st, 218 To relinquish the Experimental Farm in Coim- batore. Ib has already been seen that either the Marquis of Tweeddale had adopted the views of Mr. Finnie, or 168 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1847. CHAP, else that Mr. Finnie had adopted the views of the Marquis lJ of Tweeddale. Accordingly his Lordship had on more than one occasion expressed himself favourably disposed towards the practical suggestions of the American 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 recorded 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 American Cotton ; but 13 this subject has already been narrated elsewhere His more Tweed? * important proposition was that the Government should im- nite. s 3rd mediately relinquish all its Experimental Farms and official i j ari.' ue- agency for raising Cotton. No fair conclusion, he said turn (185?) p. !58. could ever 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 enter- prise, 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 al- ready have been brought to an issue. Again, no fair con- clusion could be drawn from a Government Farm, superin- tended by men who were not practical agriculturists, arid who consequently were not able to direct the la hour of those under them ; but who used Government capital and Com- missariat cattle, which the Native cultivator could not com- mand ; 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 Plant- er. At the same time he expressed an opinion similar to that expressed by Mr. Finnie ; namely, that instead of at- tempting to force on the Ryots the cultivation of American 1847-] VIEWS OF THE MARQUIS OF TWEEDDALE. 169 Cotton, efforts should be directed towards the improvement CHAP, of the Cotton already cultivated in the country. ! 2nd, To establish small model fields, under a prac- 219 tical Agency, amongst the Native cultivators. With Marquis of these views, the Marquis of Tweeddale advocated the esta- J^e >e s d ~Mi- blishment of an Agency, confined to practical Planters. He i) U / c e ; ilif would not place large Farms in their hands, but a few small um patches of land, as model fields, in the midst of the Native P ' 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 knowledge of Cotton culture. He would also urge on the Agents them- selves, the importance of improving all the species of Cotton which were already cultivated in India, and of inducing Native agriculturists gradually to adopt those approved and inexpensive modes of culture, which could easily be engraft- ed on his own.* 3rd, To set up small gin establishments, and to 220 keep up good roads to the Forts. These efforts to im- prove the culture of Native Cotton ought to be accompanied by more economical and experienced methods of gathering and cleaning the crop, and in preparing it for the market. * 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 simi- lar 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 se^d of the improved kind over the whole of the Indigenous Cotton fields of India." 170 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1847. CHAP. Improvements in this direction should be effected, not by I 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 pro- vided 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 cul- tivators, will always constitute an essential element in pre- paring Cotton wool for the Indian market. But besides this improved system of culture, and improved means of gather- ing 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 Southern India a chance of competing in Europe with the produce of other countries. 221 Limits to Government agency: the Manufacturer should purchase direct from the Ryot. The Marquis of Tweeddale expressed his opinion that the Government could effect nothing beyond the three objects already laid down ; viz., an improved system of cultivation, 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 imme- diate communication with the cultivator, and purchased direct from him. He drew attention to Mr. Finnie's state- ments 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, 1848.] VIEWS OF THE COURT OF DIRECTORS. 171 and at such a cost, as might stand in permanent competition CHAP. with American Cotton. Whereas, the object of the mer- ' chant and Agent was to obtain immediate profits during the current year. If the inferior 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 ; except during those occasional seasons when the American crop may be below the average, and consequently when there may be an en- larged demand by the manufacturer. To meet this state of things, the manufacturer must have his own Agent, who thoroughly knows what article 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 additional 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 antici- pated. VIEWS OF THE COURT OF DIRECTORS. Despatch of the Court of Directors, 1848, These 222 propositions of the Marquis of Tweeddale, together with some General others which have been already noticed, were treated at length in a despatch from the Court of Directors. In this July 1848. despatch the Directors decided ; 1st, That there should be tur no reduction of the assessment on lands cultivated with 172 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1848. CHAP. American Cotton, as proposed by Dr. Wight ; 2nd, That Mr. L_ Finnie should not be deputed to England to enter into direct communication with the English manufacturers ; and 3rd, They recorded their decision upon the proposition of the Marquis of Tweeddale, to relinquish the Government Cotton Farm at Coimbatore and to confine the agency to practical Planters, in the two following paragraphs. 223 1st. 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 ascertain- ed. " We concur in your opinion of the expediency of " relinquishing the Government Cotton Farm at Coimba- " tore. We consider that the object for which this Farm " was established has now been fully attained, by demon- " strating that the soil and climate of that province are e( capable of producing Cotton of a description in every way " suited to the wants of the English manufacturers. The " point which requires solution is, whether 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 Govern- " ment, and under the superintendence of Government Offi- " cers. 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 au- " thorizing the grant of small prizes for its successful culti- " vation, as we observe you have already done ; and by using " all the means in your power to introduce improved me- " thods of cleaning the Cotton from the seed, without injury " to the staple." 1849.] VIEWS OF SIR HENRY POTTINGER. 173 2nd, " Agency confined to practical planters' ' may CHAP. 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 " llth December 1847, that he would have " small establish- " ments in each Cotton locality" ; or, as he elsewhere ex- " presses it, " small patches of land, as Model Farms in the " midst of the Native cultivation." If the object of this " measure be to ascertain by actual experiment, whether in " any particular locality the soil and climate are suited to " the production of the American, 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 225 Henry Pottinger arrived in Madras on the 7th April 1848. gir H On the 15th July he penned a Minute upon the Cotton ex- JJSJ 111 ' 9 periment, which was chiefly confined to approving of Dr. j^ jJ{ Wight's offering an enhanced price for New 'Orleans Cotton ^7 p . grown in India ; and to sanctioning the establishment of* 97 ' five small threshers and presses in different parts of Tinne- velly and Madura for the use of Mr. Finnic. 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 Govern- ment 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, 174 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1849. CHAP, 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 en- couraged the people to exert themselves, and placed amongst them qualified persons to advise and instruct them in cul- tivating, cleaning, and preparing their Cotton. Shortly after penning this Minute, the Court's dispatch 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 Su- perintendent of the Cotton Farms.* At last on the 4th May 1849, about nine months after the receipt of the Court's dispatch, Sir Henry Pottinger recorded his final de- cisions in a Minute, the points of which may be exhibited in the following form. 226 The Experimental Farms have been fully tried, and their continuance would be injurious. The time has sir Henry n0 w arrived for the Government to decide finally, whether J'ottinger's or no *t W ^ continue the Experimental Farms, and the em- M ' (1857) ployment of Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie, and their subordi- tn p * m nates. The Court of Directors has distinctly intimated its concurrence with the views of this Government, that the Cotton Farm at Coimbatore 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 India Company and the Madras Government, have done all that was either requisite or called for, to give to these * It will be presently seen that the Madras Government partly misunder- stood the terms of the Court's dispatch. The Directors \vere 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. 175 Experimental Farms the fairest, fullest, and most liberal trial ; CHAP. and I am therefore satisfied, not only that they should be ! discontinued, but that their further continuance would prove injurious 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 culture and quality of the Cotton of the country. American Cotton in any part of the Madras Pre- 227 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 occa- sionally produce remunerative crops ; but I am strongly impressed with the view that it will in all cases be liable to failure from the unsuitableness of climate and soil. The American Planters indeed have gone farther, and have pronounced that the experiment 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 pros- pects has passed away ; and the Farms themselves have merged into a mere mercantile speculation. Causes of the failure of American Cotton : climate 228 and soil. It would be useless, and indeed I am not quali- fied, 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. 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 insurmountable ; and whether, even when they CQ overcome, 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 176 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1849. CHAP various parts of India ; and I have constantly found it im- ' possible to bring to perfection in one place, the plants which nourished 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 cli- mate 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? 229 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 the most humid I ever lived in ; and yet the rain, beyond 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 remark may be still more forcibly applied. 230 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 persever- ance ; 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 however will still have the advantage of such advice and instruction as can be given them through the Collectors and Revenue establishments ; 1849.] VIEWS OF SIR HENRY POTTINGER. 177 and I propose that, after the departure of Dr. Wight, his two CHAP. subordinate assistants, Messrs. Sherman and Cuxton, toge- 1_ ther 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 fol- lows. Mr. Finnie to remain in Tinnevelly till October, 231 to instruct the East Indian lads in the use of the Gins, etc. 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 inter- fere with the culture of Cotton, beyond giving his advice when asked for; because if he should tender his advice, and the crop should afterwards fail, the failure would be attri- buted to his innovations. He should be ordered to devote his whole time and attention to the instruction of the Na- tives in the practical use of the gins, presses, churkas, thresh- ers, and other implements required in the cleaning and pre- paration of the Cotton. One half of the East Indian lads now under Dr. Wight in Coimbatore, should be at once re- moved to Tinnevelly, and placed 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 232 Coimbatore immediately. Dr. Wight should discharge at once all establishments which have been hitherto employ- ed on the Experimental Farms ; and place his two assist- ants, Messrs. Sherman and Cuxton, and the remaining half of the East Indian lads, at the disposal of the Collector of Coimbatore. 178 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1849. Gin-houses at Coimbatore and Aroopoocottah to be placed under the Collectors for the use of the 233 Ryots. After the departure of Mr. Finnie, either Mr. Sher- man or Mr. Cuxton should be transferred to Tinnevelly. Thus whilstthe gin-houses at Coimbatore and Aroopoocotfcah 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 instru- ments, which have been so profusely and readily supplied by the Court of Directors. But I do not deem it either ne- cessary or desirable that this system should be considered 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 in- struments and machinery. The sole occupation of Mr. Sher- man and Mr. Cuxton in their several districts, will be to overlook the proceedings 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 from receiving, on any pretence whatever, the smallest private gratification or present for work done with the public machinery. ft 234 Unfounded complaint of the Manchester Associ- ation: the Manchester Merchants ought to help themselves. I have observed that the Manchester Com- mercial Association has recently stated, that it has been sa- tisfactorily proved that New Orleans Cotton can be pro- duced 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 1849.] STOPPAGE OF THE COTTON EXPERIMENT. 179 been produced. To both assertions I most unhesitatingly CHAP. demur. Small batches of excellent Cotton wool have been 1_ occasionally sent to England from Coimbatore, but they formed the exception 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 ob- tain a perfect insight into the whole matter, will for an instant admit the correctness or applicability of the accu- sation. 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 235 1849 : 5OO acres held by lease and 2OO acres Memoran . worked by contract. Whilst Sir Henry Pottinger's $^ Sir Minute was still under the consideration of the other Seryfnth Members of Government, and whilst Dr. Wight and Mr. iS. 1 R 4 e- Finnie were as yet ignorant of the fate in store for them, p* r lii ( . Dr. Wight happened to visit Madras, and to call at the office of Sir Henry Montgomery, the Chief Secretary. Ac- cordingly, Sir Henry Montgomery took the opportunity of asking Dr. Wight to explain the exact state of his depart- ment at that moment. 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 Ryot- wary tenure. As regards these last lands, Dr. Wight had agreed to pay the Government assessment, and something more to the Ryot as compensation; that is, half as much 180 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1849. CHAP, more on dry land, and twice as much more on garden land.* - The whole of these 500 acres was worked by his Farm esta- blishment and cattle ; but in addition, he was preparing about 200 acres to be cultivated by Native labourers em- ploying 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 received 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 ship- ment ; and 8000 rupees worth of seed Cotton, purchased at Coimbatore, 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 expenses of the Farm, exclusive of his own salary ; and he 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. 236 Application of Dr. Wight to be permitted to sow and gather one crop more : refused, June. It will be seen from the foregoing para, that Dr. Wight was under contract both to Native landholders and to Native cultiva- tors ; and that the land had been engaged, and compensa- tion paid, up to May 1850. Accordingly one of the Members * 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 punjah or dry land. The Native Cotton is generally grown on dry land or punjah. Dr. Wight however had been anxious to try the experiment of growing American Cotton on nunjah, or irrigated land. It need scarcely be remarked that a higher rate of assess- ment is raised from nunjah than from punjah land. 1849.] STOPPAGE OF THE COTTON EXPERIMENT. 181 of Council suggested that the land might be worked during CHAP. the coming season, but not beyond the season. Sir Henry _'_ Pottingfer however insisted upon the immediate transfer of Mr. D. El- the Farm to the Collector; and he expressed his surprise liot t's M *- ' nute, 12th that Dr. Wight, who had once recommended a remission of ^ a a r [ 1 ^ half the land assessment, should now have actually agreed p" r 2 n i 3 ( . 1857) to pay, not merely the whole of that assessment, but an Para 121 additional compensation of one half more, and in some cases \ Sir Henry a rent amounting in the aggregate to double the assess- ^"njg^' 8 ment ; a proceeding which it was impossible for the people M U a ' ^J* to understand, and which could only deter them from com-t peting with the Government who possessed such a command p< of money and means. The Government order was then c drafted in accordance with Sir Henry Pottinger's first re- ?u?e isiJ! commendations. Dr. Wight appealed. He explained that turn (i85*j when procurable he had obtained Government waste land ; but that otherwise he had been compelled to rent lands of letter, 1 ? ith the Puttahdars, or Ryots, who were to all intents and Pari. iie'- turn (1857) purposes, proprietors of the land. This practice had been P- 216 in force prior to his undertaking the charge of the Farms Para 39. at Coimbatore, and was altogether unavoidable ; as the lands could not be obtained without the payment of com- pensation to the Ryots, and the amount of compensation had been fixed before he was appointed. Dr. Wight also represented that his Farm had been repeatedly ploughed for the coming season, and that consequently 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 pecuniary 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 many years, and when it was generally known that nearly all the ex- penses of the crop had been incurred. He therefore begged that the establishment might be kept up for one season long- OF THE UNIVERSITY OF 182 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1849. CHAP. er. By so doing all these disadvantages 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 Minutes of experiment on their own account. The Governor in Council tion, 29th however decided that the Cotton Farm should be at once June 1849. ufrn' (185?) transferred to the Collector, who would carry out all that p- 218 - was necessary in consequence of the engagements which Dr. Wight had made. 237 Departure of Mr. Finnie from the Madras Pre- sidency. 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 ad- dressed a letter to Mr. Elton the Collector of the District, respecting the directions which he had received from Go- vernment to instruct the East Indian lads in the working of Para 233. the gins, and concluding with a general review or estimate of his own labours. 238 Mr, Finnie's last letter, July 1849 :-"The gins will always remain idle after Government ceases to use Mr* !r in- nth 5 ^"fJ them*" Mr. Finnie reported that he should be happy to Re 4 t 9 um Parl> instruct Dr. Wight's East Indian lads in the working of the 304? 7 ) p> gins, during the fifteen or twenty days that were required to clean the seed Cotton on hand ; but that after that period the gins would never be at work, as the Natives would never use them after Government had retired from the ex- periment. So long, he said, as the merchants continued to buy dirty Cotton, so long we must despair of all improve- 1849.] DEPARTURE OF Ma. FINNIE. 183 ment. Even the hopes which he had entertained the pre- CHAP. vious year, that the people would take more care in cleaning ! and packing, had proved altogether abortive ; for during Para 187< 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 any thing to do with them ; " and the gin house at Sevacausey, and the Ceylon machinery, will remain a cenotaph to the judgment of those who urged the purchase after I had ascertained that they were not required." Mr. Finnie concluded his letter with the follow- ing expressions, which are worthy of preservation, as ex- hibiting his own estimate of his labours. " I have not," he said, " confined myself to the track pointed out by pseudo- " scientific theory, but have launched boldly into the broad " ocean of practical utility, guided by the north star of com- " mon sense, which, with some knowledge of political econo- " my, with due regard to cause and effect, enables me to " draw approximate conclusions as to the results of certain " plain measures in reference to national internal improve- " ment 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 ren ^ & QQ ^ or three years, to such Ryots as should be ass?) P . p re p are( i to cultivate it with New Orleans Cotton. The Minutes of su gg e& tion of the Collector was strongly supported by the 'Sm." ul s8th Board of Revenue, but the Madras Government considered prl' 18 Rel that it was precluded by the orders of the Court of Directors from granting any such remission of the assessment. The 1849 52.] MU. WROUGHTON'S COLLECTOEATE FARM. 195 Collector however was permitted to distribute American CHAP. seed at the expense of Government, and to afford the use of implements to clean and prepare the Cotton for the English market, and to present small prizes for its successful cultiva- g e( f l9 ' Dis _ tion. No results appear to have followed the experiment JuiyNm worthy of record. Xttr.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 Cotton has already been noticed. During four seasons prior to 1849, he had carried Para 66< on the same experimental culture on a Farm of about sixty Memoran- acres ; and he was anxious that the experiment should be JSr f Sir continued after his departure from the country. Sir Henry me^f oth Pottinger did not consider that Mr. Wroughton, any more Pari. Re- than Dr. Wight, had established any satisfactory result, P- 306 beyond the bare fact that American Cotton of a superior Memoran- quality would grow in Coimbatore, and that if favoured by Henry Pot- seasons it would produce very fine crops. The Madras Go- A P ril 1849 - vernment however authorized the continuance of the expe- tur 3 n 08 (1857) riment 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 maybe exhibited here. Mr. Thomas's opinions upon the best method of in- 258 ducing the Ryots to cultivate American Cotton. ,. JVir. l no- Mr. Thomas recommended the continuance of the Col- JJJ 8 ' 8 , lectorate Farm, because the cultivation of American p a *f; 1 R 5 e - Cotton would never be undertaken by the Ryots, with- sii ( . 1857) out much encouragement, and long and satisfactory evidence of its feasibility. He believed that their re- 196 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [184952. CHAP, luctance arose from these causes. First, the national apathy * and dislike to enter on any new and untried method or spe- culation. 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 market and demand for the American Cot- ton. This last obstacle was the most important of all. The Native Cultivator had neither the means nor the enterprise to grow for a distant or foreign market. The Native mer- chant would readily buy the shorter but stronger fibre of the Indian Cotton, because it was considered more suitable for the 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 districts, 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 cre- ation of local markets, the object in view would be greatly facilitated by advances to the Ryots, personal intercourse, punctual payments, and other similar arrangements, private and mercantile, which would be practicable through an Eu- ropean Agency. Government also might aid the effort by a very slight and temporary reduction of the assessment on all lands under foreign Cotton ; bub 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 dc the same. 259 Cotton cultivation by Mr. David 3Lees in Tinnevel- . lv : discussion concerning the right of ChayarootRen- ot e her e p"- ters. The experiments of Mr. David Lees in the cultivation of American Cotton in Tinnevelly, and their failure on the 184952.] MR . LEES' CULTUBE IN TINNEVELLY. 197 score of cost of cultivation, will be found noticed in Dr. CHAP. y Wight's final report, but a few additional particulars will " find a fitting place here. Mr. David Lees had originally J pers, Parl. proceeded to Southern India, under the sanction of the Man- **""*, ( 18o7)p.ol y, Chester Commercial Association, to make experiments and 332 - ascertain facts in connection with the cultivation of Ame- rican 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 improved 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 commencement of the Cotton culture, the Chayroot renters claimed the privilege of entering the fields under culture by Mr. Lees, and of their digging up the Chayroots 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 American Cotton. The Chayroot renters then demanded compensation. The mat- ter 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 cancelling the existing * A root from which a certain dye is extracted. 198 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1849 52. CHAP. Chayroot Farm, and by restricting the terms of future Farms ' in such a way 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 Cotton, equal to what was levied on lands pro- ducing Chayroot. As however it subsequently appeared that Mr. Lees's experiment had proved a failure, the quantity obtained being insufficient to pay the cost of cul- ture, no alteration was made in the ass essment, and things remained as they were. 260 Discussion respecting the purchase of American Cotton on Government account from the Ryots of Tinnevelly. In April 1852 a correspondence arose res- pecting the purchase of American Cotton from the Ryots in Tinnevelly. It seems that Mr. Bird, the Collector of Tin- letter, aoth nevelly, had applied to Dr. Wight for som e fifty or seventy turn" 0857) k a & s ^ New Orleans Cotton seed, to be distributed amongst P- * 33 - the Ryots ol 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 (2| 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 mar- ket 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 Government, and re- letter, 29th commended that the authority requested should be granted. April 1858. J Sri' (i8 R 57) ^- e a ^ so su gg este d tnat > in such case, the Government deci- P. 233. s i on s h ou ld be forwarded to the Manchester Association ; as he believed that the Association would then be induced to establish Agencies 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. 1849 52.] DR. WIGHT'S FINAL COTTON REPORT. 199 Authority for the purchases refused by the Ma- CHAP. dras Government. It is scarcely necessary to add that V ' the authority for the purchases was refused by Sir Henry 26 1 Pottinger's Government. It was decided that the instruc- Minuteg of tions of the Court of Directors did not authorise the Govern- ment to sanction any such engagement ; that it was the duty IsS. of the Manchester manufacturers to send their own agents ment l8t June 1852. to the Cotton growing districts, to make their own bargains with the cultivators. If the rate proposed was a fair one, it p> 333>234> ought to be offered by the merchants ; but as it was, the proposition seemed to be in reality a suggestion that the Government should purchase Cotton at any price, and then sell it to the manufacturers of Manchester at such a rate as was best suited to their trading purposes. Completion of Dr. Wight's Report, May, 1852.- 262 About this time Dr. Wight appears to have completed the final report which he had been called upon to draw up by Dr. wight's the Court of Directors. The Report is a long one, but the dated ' I2th following summary contains the whole of the facts and opi- fjJ nions set forth in the original document. This was deemed pt 235 * peculiarly necessary here ; for though much that is stated has already appeared in former paragraphs, it will be con- venient 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 Coimbatore. DR. WIGHT'S FINAL REPORT, 12-TH MAY 1852. Stage of the Cotton experiment in 1849.~The 263 following 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, 200 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1852. CHAP, with still greater rapidity. Previous to 1849,* notwith- L_ standing the inducements held out of high prices and cer- tain markets, the Ryots of Coimbatore would only cultivate American Cotton to a very limited extent ; and then they proceeded in such an unwilling and unsatisfactory manner as almost to ensure a failure. At the same time, the reports, which reached me from other parts of the country, were ge- nerally unfavorable ; 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 convictions 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 circum- stances which were by no means peculiarly favorable. 264 Improved prospects during 185O-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 encouraging pros- pect. 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 addressed 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 results. I allude to those trials which are now in progress * The year Mr. Finnie, the American Planter, left India. 1852.] DR. WIGHT'S JUNAL COTTON REPOBT. 201 on the sea coast. These trials have been conducted under CHAP. considerable disadvantages, originating from want of agricul- ' tural 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 265 American Cotton connected with the existence of the Cotton Farms. I cannot account for the previous unwillingness of the Natives of Coimbatore to cultivate American Cotton. It must however have been connected 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 discontinued the cultivation is rapidly extending. Ryots encouraged by their own success to extend 266 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 growing 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 dif- ference between the modes of cultivating American and In- dian 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 impressions. Two fields of Red soil side by side were both cultivated by Natives, one with Native and the other with American B 1 202 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1852. CHAP. Cotton ; and the Native Cotton only produced about 27 ' Ibs. per acre, whilst the American Cotton produced 57 Ibs. Again, two fields of about 22 acres, one Black and the other Red were sown ; the Black soil with Native Cotton, and the Red soil with American Cotton. The Black field produced 500 Ibs. of Native Cotton, whilst the Red field produced 1,250 Ibs. 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 monsoons 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 un- favorable seasons, the chances are in favour of American Cotton over Native ; and it may be presumed that the chances will also be greater in favorable seasons ; and that consequently the Ryots will continue the cultivation of the exotic plant. 267 targe results in!850-51, and 1851-52. In 1850-51 I had more applications for American seed than in any pre- vious year ; probably in consequence of the successful crops obtained by the Ryots from the relinquished Farms. The season was not a favorable 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- 1852.] DR. WIGHT'S FINAL COTTON REPOBT. 203 52 were on a still more extended scale ; and I have already CHAP, dispatched 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 268 Ryots 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. 3rd, Ploughing and otherwise cultivating the land between the rows. The Natives have already discovered and appreciated one great advantage in this last measure, namely, the facility it aiFords 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 269 of Xndia 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 imperfect observa- tion and on a comparison of dissimilar things. 1st. The theory is founded on the assumption that 270 Indian Cotton has succeeded when the American has failed. The opponents of the cultivation of American Cot- ton 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 annually appropriated to each, the out-turn from the 204 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1852. CHAP. American would in most cases have exceeded that from the !_ Indian both in weight and value. 271 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.- Again, many have compared the crops of American Cotton grown in India with the crops grown in America, without suffi- ciently adverting to the difference in the circumstances under which they have been respectively produced. Neither the soil nor the climate of India are inimical to the Ame- rican plant. This is proved. For eleven years the Ameri- can plant has been cultivated in India in all kinds of soil, such as rich and poor, wet and dry ; and in all kinds of cli- mate, such as temperate and hot, humid and dry ; yet, whilst the weight of the crops has greatly varied, the qua- lity of both of the Cotton and the seed has remained com- paratively unaltered. The error has arisen from a compa- rison of crops raised in India, with the crops raised in the most fertile districts of America, which lie along the banks of the Mississippi. 272 Differences between India and the Mississippi do not prove that the soil of India is inimical to American 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 successive 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 abundantly supplied as on the Mississippi ; and is 1852.] DR. WIGHT'S FINAL COTTON REPORT. 205 now so greatly exhausted from long use, that the CHAP. land produces about one fourth less, and rarely yields two ' successive crops from the same field. This deficiency is not to be attributed to any thing 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 Ibs. of seed Cotton per acre, equal to about 144 Ibs. of clean Cotton, may be regarded as a heavy crop ; and this will give 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 273 Georgia. If we really wish to compare the crops of India with those of America, we ought to take the Georgian dis- tricts, where the Upland Georgian Cotton is grown. There from 400 to 500 Ibs. of Cotton per acre is considered a very good crop, a,nd 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 short a period. Occasionally there is scarcely a shower for months, until the monsoon 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 American plant, the effect of 206 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1852. CHAP, this new distribution of the rain is unfavorable. This L evil however can be obviated. There is generally suffi- cient rain in August and September for sowing the seed ; and when the plant is once fairly above ground it can stand a protracted 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. 275 Leading principles of Cotton culture in the Carnatic : sowing before the North-east monsoon, and selec- tion 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 suc- cessfully 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- can Cotton, than they are at present in the cultivation of the Indigenous plant. In Coimbtitore, the American 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 very generally fail- ed. The North-east rains only lasted a week ; and conse- quently 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 Cotton 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. 1852.] DR. WIGHT'S FINAL COTTON REPORT. 207 Objection of Native spinners to the soft silky fibre CHAP. 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 In- dian is hard and rigid. The Native spinners have been so long accustomed to work the latter, that they find it diffi- cult 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 Coimbatore, the Bourbon Cotton, which is still softer than the New Orleans Cotton, was not used by the Native spin- ners ; 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 prejudice 277 against the seed as food for cattle. The only remain- ing impediments to be removed are : 1st, 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, 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 por- tion for domestic consumption. The other impediment is the prejudice which exists against the use of the New Or- leans seed for feeding cattle. It is considered to be insalu- brious. This prejudice however has already been overcome to a very great extent. 208 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1852. CHAP. Nothing wanted to secure a rapid extension of ' the American Cotton culture, but a steady market 278 an d 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 competition amongst the merchants as will convince the growers of the reality of the demand. Were such competition esta- blished, I fully believe that twenty thousand acres would be cropped with American Cotton 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 general favour among the agricultural community of Coimba- tore, as it has already acquired in Dharwar, if exporters would only stimulate its production by giving it the preference over the Oopum or Native Cotton. 279 Cotton cultivation on the Coromandel coast : New Orleans, Sea Island, Egyptian, and Brazilian. Having thus described the present condition and future prospects of the experiment for denaturalizing the American 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 fa- vorable field for the cultivation of several of the most use- ful varieties of foreign Cotton ; particularly the Mexican or New Orleans, the Sea Island, the Egyptian, and the Brazi- lian 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 1852.] Da. WIGHT'S FINAL COTTON REPORT. 209 has laboured under considerable disadvantage, from being CHAP, conducted by gentlemen but little conversant with agricul- ' tural affairs. Partial success of Mr. David Lees on the sandy 280 coast lands of Tinnevelly : error as regards deep sowing, The cultivation of American Cotton by Mr. Da- vid 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 experiment, he was unfortu- nately 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 errone- ous 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 roofc 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 produce ; and indeed, unless the former of these conditions be secured, and main- tained 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, al- most as much as the leaves require light ; and unless they have it, the plant becomes more or less sickly. Sandy soils along the Coromandel Coast adapted 281 to the cultivation of American Cotton. But whilst the success of Mr. Lees, experiment fell far short of his antici- pations, it has established beyond all doubt that the sandy c 1 210 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1852. CHAP, soils along the Coromandel Coast, aided by the humid at- ' mosphere, are very suitable to the cultivation of American Cotton ; a fact which is daily becoming more firmly esta- blished by the success attending the well conducted efforts of Messrs. Longshaws at Trichindore in Tinnevelly, and of Mr. Kenrick at Madras. In addition to a light assess- ment, 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 cultivation is materially lessened. Moreover, there is moisture for the most part near the surface, and generally within reach of the roots of the plant, which have a ten- dency 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 Ibs. 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 com- pete with the American grower. 282 Sir Henry Pottinger's Governmet condemns Dr. sir Henry Wight's Report. The foregoing Report of Dr. Wight did Mhmte. 61 '" n t meet with the approval of the Madras Government. In 1852. pa??, fact Sir Henry Pottinger wrote a Minute violently condemn- (1857) p. ing it. Considering that it was the result of experiments extending over eleven years, he pronounced it to be a meagre and unsatisfactory document, in which the statements and opinions were alike unsupported by facts. 1852.] FINAL DECISION OF MADRAS GOVERNMENT. 211 Recommends, that as the Farms had proved inju- CHAP. rious, and that as the Agency was no longer neces- v> sary, all Government intervention should bewith- OQO drawn. Sir Henry Pottinger drew special attention to two admissions made by Dr. Wight : 1st, 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 exten- sion of the American plant but a steady market, and moder- ate competition among merchants, to convince Indian growers that the Cotton was really in demand. The Para 2is. Madras Government inferred from the first admission, that Minutes of Consulta- the further existence of Government Agency was injurious ; *<> eth and from the second admission that it was unnecessary. JJJ- & e ~ Accordingly the Governor in Council recommended that p * 243 - Government should abstain from all further intervention in the matter. Dr. Wight's protest against the conclusions of 284 the Madras Government. .Dr. Wight protested against the inferences which the Madras Government had drawn from his two admissions on the following grounds. turn (1859) p. 243. 1st, The Government Farms had not proved injuri- 285 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 theview 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; 212 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1852. CHAP, but still the correctness of the interpretation of their langu- L_ age, was confirmed by the fact of their systematically hold- ing back, until they saw what they considered to be good reason for believing their suspicions to be groundless and unjust. 286 2nd, The Government Agency had not proved unnecessary, 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 Government Agency, after the withdrawal from the Cotton Farms, had proved wholly unnecessary. It was the temporary continuance of the Agency, which had removed the suspicions of the Ryots, and led to the increase of the cultivation. Had not Dr. Wight been on the spot, the culti- vation of New Orleans Cotton in Coimbatore would have nearly ceased with the crop of 1849 ; whereas by his pur- chases of produce at liberal prices, and by his reiterated assurances of the good faith of Government, the cultivation had so extended, that during the current season he had already distributed 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 compelled Dr. Wight to con- tinue 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. Campbell had died, and 1853.] FINAL RETIREMENT OF DR. WIGHT. 213 prices had so fallen at home, that had he lived he would have CHAP. been a loser. The only other merchant in the place, being 1 bound by no contract, would only give from 16 to 17 rupees per candy. Under such circumstances, the Ryots represent- ed to Dr. Wight that he was bound to purchase the Ame- rican Cotton at the prices fixed in the still uncancelled con- tract ; 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 continued 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 287 the Court of Directors 1853. Dr. Wight appears to have retired from the service, and to have left India in March 1 853. In the following July, a despatch from the Court of Directors was addressed to the Madras Government, order- ing that all purchases of American Cotton to 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 connected with Manchester settled in the District ; and if the price at which the Ryots can afford to sell the Cot- 214 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1853. CHAP, ton is greater than it suits the purpose of those parties to give, it is hopeless V to attempt to force the cultivation by factitious encouragement on the part of Government. " 2. The statement of Dr. Wight, that since the relinquishment of the Government Farms in Coimbatore, the Byots 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 ar- rived when the interference of Government 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 only be attained by affording full scope to private enter- prise, 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 cultivation 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 com- petent Agents, empowered to purchase from the cultivators such Cotton as may be produced of a description 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 fur- ther perseverance in our efforts to force the cultivation, by means apart from the ordinary operations of commerce, can lead to no beneficial result. We accordingly think that we may properly withdraw from the market as pur- chasers of American Cotton ; and we hereby convey to you our authority for gradually relinquishing all direct interference in the culture of Cotton of that description, in the hope that it has now reached a point where it may be safely left to private enterprise. We are, &c, R. ELLICE, J. OLIPHANT." 215 CHAPTER VZ. PRESENT CONDITION OF THE COTTON CULTURE IN THE SEVERAL DISTRICTS OF THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY, 185362. (288.) Stage of the Cotton Experiment, 1853-62. (289.) Survey of the present Cotton cultivation in the Madras Presidency. (290.) First, NORTHERN CIRCARS : four Districts. (291.) 1. Ganjam : produce inconsiderable but easily increased by money advances. (292.) 2. Vizagapatam : Colton grown insufficient for home consumption and not remunerative. (293.) 3. Godavari : Cotton supply larger but insufficient for the wants of the District. (294.) 4. Kristna : large Cotton supply. (295.) Second, EASTERN PLAIN OF THE CARNATIC: eight Districts. (296.) 1. Nellore : a grazing District. (297.) 2. Madras : Native Cotton not grown. (298.) Experiments in Foreign Cotton: Mr. Shu- brick's successful cultivation of the Egyptian variety. (299.) Ex- perimental culture of the Brazil or Pernambuco variety by Dr. Mudge. (300.) 3. North Arcot : Red soil, and consequently no Indian Cotton. (301.) 4. South Arcot : inconsiderable quantity of Jndian Cotton. (302.) 5. Tri- chinopoty : 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 Cot- ton wool per acre. (311.) Manure. (312.) Diseases. (313.) 8. Tinnevelly: Mr. Mayne's detailed report. (314.) 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. (31 S.) Geology and topography. (320.) Climate. (321.) Seed used and whence obtained. (322.) Character of the Cotton Plant. (323.) Mode of cultivation, time of flowering, weight of Cotton wool per acre, etc. (324.) Manure. (325.) 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 Tuticoriir 216 CHAP. (329.) Third, CENTRAL TABLE-LAND : five districts. (330.) I. Bellary, detailed VI. reportfrom the Collector. (331.) Soil. (332.)Geology and topography. (333.) Climate. (334.) Seed used and whence obtained. (335.) Nature and Character of the Cotton plant. (336.) Method of cultivation, time of flow- ering, and weight of Cotton wool per acre, etc. (337.) Manure. (338.) Dis- eases. (339.) 2. Kurnool: a Cotton growing district. (340.) Cost of transit : the sole obstacle to increased production. (341.) Improvements in the quality must be effected by the Merchants themselves. (342.) 3. Cuddapah : pre- sent state of Cotton as reported by Mr. Wedderburn, the Collector. (343.) Detailed report by Mr. Murray, the previous Collector. (344.) $oil. (345.) Weeds. (346:) Geology and topography. (347.) Climate. (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 Co., the only exporters. (3540 5. Coimbatore : detailed report of Mr. Thomas, the Collector. (355.) 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 cultiva- tion, time of flowering, weight of Cottonwool per acre, etc. (361.) Manure. (362.) Diseases. (368.) Fourth, WESTERN STRIP, OR MALABAR COAST: three districts. (364.) 1. North Canara : not a Cotton producing District. (365.) Report of the District Engineer on the experimental culture of Mr. Klein - knecht, (366.) 2. South Canara: not a Cotton producing District. (367.) 3. Malabar : not a Cotton producing District, (368.) Native States : My- sore, Cochin, and Travancore. (569.) Conclusion : general results. (370.) Four general conclusions. (571.) 1st, American Cotton can be grown, but the profit is questionable. (372;) 2nd, Indian^Cotton may be improved, but only to a degree. (373.) 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. 217 CHAPTER PRESENT CONDITION OF THE COTTON CULTURE IN THE SEVERAL DISTRICTS OF THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY, 185362. Stage of the Cotton Experiment, 1853-62. The ef- 288 forts on the part of the Madras Government to introduce American Cotton and American machinery into the Mad- ras Presidency, virtually closed with the departure 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 produced far superior to that appertaining to the Indian plant. But the question of whether this better sta- pled 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 Cotton culti- vation in the several Districts of the Madras Presidency. Survey of the present Cotton cultivation in the 289 Madras Presidency. In carrying out the review thus indicated, it will be advisable to proceed with each District separately, according to the geographical distribution of the several Collectorates already set forth at para 9, viz : 1st, Northern Circars ; 2nd, Eastern Plain ; 3rd, 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 in extenso. D 1 218 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1853 62. CHAP. 1st, Northern Circars : four Districts. The Northern VI. - Circars consist of a long narrow arm of territory stretching 2 90 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) Gangam, (2) Vizagapatam, (3) Godavari, (4) Kristna. 291 (1) Ganjam: produce inconsiderable but easily in- creased by money advances. In this District the Cot- ton cultivation of late years seems to vary from four thou- sand to six thousand acres. As the quantity of Cotton grown is so insignificant, the Collector merely makes a few general observations. He says that there is one material fact which has not been made sufficiently clear to the mercantile com- munity at home; namely, that the Native agriculturist will un- dertake nothing new on the mere assurance that it is in de- mand in a distant market. Cases where the security of profit would appear most perfect to the European mind, would Apr"' i86i. have no effect upon the Native. But on the other hand, there is no tropical produce which the European with capi- tal might not command, by bringing his capital into immedi- ate 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. 292 (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 preceding Mr Fane's 1861-62, the average extent of lands under Cotton cultiva- j e uiy r i86 2 i 8d ti n was ^53 acres, which produced an average of about 250 Ibs. 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 185362.] NORTHERN CIRCARS : FOUR DISTRICTS. 219 and Madras. The Collector also remarks that the produc- CHAP. tion might be increased by three measures. 1st, 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 Raipore with the coast. 3rd, 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 Vizagapatam JS^f "SSl did not grow Cotton more largely was because it did not pay. Febt 1862> Eight months were required to produce a Cotton crop, whilst two crops of Gingely, and other dry grains, might be produced from the same lands within the same time,and secure a larger profit to the grower. (3) Godavari : Cotton supply larger but insuffi- 293 cient for the wants of the District. This District (Rajahmundry and Masulipatam) produces a larger quantity JJ t r t p y r?ii J of Cotton than Vizagapatam or Ganjam, the extent of land so cultivated reaching 12,000 acres. The quantity raised however is still insuffi cient for the home consumption, and further supplies are imported from the Kristna District. The means of communication between the uplands on which the Cotton is grown, and the ports of shipment, are all easy. (4) Kristna: large Cotton supply.- Guntoor, which 294 now forms part of this District, is regarded as a Cotton grow- ing country. Upwards of 100,000 acres are under Cotton cul- tivation, and as we have seen, a considerable quantity is exported to the Godavari District. Every exertion is being made by the Department of Public Works, to effect a junction 220 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [185362. CHAP, between two canals, that from Bezwarah. and that from VI . Dowlashwarum to Ellore, which will render the line of in- Mr Thorn- water commucation complete from the Cotton produc- 28th S ^N'OV' * D l ca liti es to the coast. The following particulars are 1861 - supplied by Mr. Thornhill, the Collector. The Cotton pro- duced in this district is partly consumed within its limits, but by 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 export- ed by sea, and none is shipped direct for Europe. The Cot- ton 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 cultivation 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 understand, is not now in demand for the European market. I do not however think that any measure of Government 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 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. 295 2nd, 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 185362.] CARNATIC : EIGHT DISTRICTS. 221 Comorin, and is generally known by the name of the Car- CHAP. natic. It comprises eight Districts : viz. (1) Nellore, (2) ! Madras, (3) North Arcot, (4) South Arcot, (5) Trichinopoly, (6) Tanjore, (7) Madura, (8) Tinnevelly. (1) Nellore s a grazing District. This District pro- 296 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 operations of all letter, nth kinds are carried on very negligently ; the people being more rari. u e - addicted to rearing cattle than to cultivating the land. P- 39 - (2) Madras : Native Cotton not grown- In this Dis- 297 trict, 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 Reade , g only by one Ryot ; and Mr. Charles Reade, whilst Acting jj^y 4th Collector, drew up a few questions, in order to ascertain from 186J * the solitary cultivator, what his views and feelings were, particularly in reference to the extension of the cultivation. From the Ryot's replies 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 consump- tion ; spinning the Cotton into thread, and employing wea- vers 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 ex- tend the cultivation. Experiments in Foreign Cotton : XKEr. Shubrick's 298 successful cultivation of the Egyptian variety. But whilst the soil of the Madras(Ghingleput) District was not adapted to the growth of Indian. Cotton, it has been found 222 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1853 62. CHAP, very favorable to the American varieties. Garden experiments VL in general are not very reliable, inasmuch as the plant re- ceives far more care and attention under such circumstances than it can possibly receive from the Kyot. Mr. Shubrick, the Collector, has been highly successful in raising Egyptian Proceed Cotton, which received the approbation and thanks of the B ^* C^ O^ CO -t^* 4>- qgl 02 H 1 I o c, ; ;o^. : : :S " : CO O 1 OOOOCOIOCOCOOOOOOOOO CO OQ ^ CO CO !>. C75 r-( "* O5 10 P) H . .s . .... o c3 o . ^ CM H ri M a 1 1 CO OCOOOOOOtO>OOO IO -Cq3Oi-li-li-ICOO50O W5 CD r-l i-l - s '.'.'. tC5 '.','.'.'. Q* r-t '. O5 o 185362.] CARNATIC : EIGHT DISTRICTS. 233 Seed used and whence obtained. " Cotton seeds are CHAP. obtained from those places in the district, where the pre- 1_. vious crops had yielded a full produce of good quality. The 321 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 buffalo's dung, and then 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 322 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 1J 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 323 Cotton wool per acre, etc. " Cotton fields are plough- ed five times between the months of April and September. After a good shower of rain, the seeds are sown generally between the months of September and October. 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 1J (3s.) 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 Ibs. ; weight per hand employed is 6 Ibs. Manure," There is not any Cotton seed returned to 324 the soil in the form of manure, nor are the stalks allowed to decay on the field. The land under Cotton cultivation is manured with cattle dung. F 1 234; COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [185362. CHAP. Diseases." When the Cotton plants come to bearing, _ they are subject to two kinds of diseases ; the first is called 325 j n Tamil "Sambulnoye", and the second " Canjoorumnoye." When the first mentioned disease prevails, the yield becomes very indifferent ; and if the last named disease exists, the pods drop off entirely. Unseasonable 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. " 326 Mr. Silver's Report. In a letter dated 20th February 's 1862, Mr. Silver, the Collector of Tinnevelly, reported as 862! h follows. " The average quantity of uncleaned Cotton, grown in 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 cul- tivation would doubtless be extended by the following means. 1st, By the Mercantile Firms establishing Agencies for deal- ing 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 con- structing better roads, which in my opinion would be the case, if the executive were again placed under the Revenue officers, the District Engineer inspecting and reporting on the nature of the work performed." ,'*27 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 Ex- cellency Sir William Denison, Governor of Madras, as re- gards the Cotton trade at the Port of Tuticorin. These queries, together with the replies, are appended in parallel ^columns. 185362.] , CARNATIC: EIGHT DISTRICTS. QUERIES . REPLIES . Thirty-four miles. 235 1st. Distance from Tinnevelly to Tuticorin ? 2nd. Character of the country be- tween the two places ? 3rd. Amount of existing traffic between the two places ? 4th. Cost of transport per ton and per bale of Cotton from one place to another. Bare and open passing over black soils, rocky ground, and deep sand ; there is a made road for only 8 miles, out of Tinnevelly, and the river Tam- brapoorney unbridged, intervenes. Tinnevelly is not a Cotton produc- ing Taluk. Cotton is grown in the northern Taluks and north-eastern Taluks. General 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 transport becomes expen- sive, but on the average the transport of Cotton to Tuticorin from the Cot- ton producing Taluks costs 10 Rupees per ton of 20 per cwt. or about 9 As. a bundle of 120 Ibs. 5th. Quantity of Cotton passing from Tinnevelly to Tuticorin ? 6th. Quality of Cotton, whether of Native growth or improved va- rieties ? Cotton is not sent from Tinnevelly to Tuticorin. But the average quan- tity taken into Tuticorin yearly from the Ottapidarum, Sattur, Shenkar- ninarcoil and Strivilliputtur Taluks, along the trunk Cotton road connect- ing the Cotton growing localities with Tuticorin, is 33,000 Candies of cleaned Cotton. Entirely of Native growth ; no other description is exported from Tutico- rin. The quality is known in Europe as Tinnevelly Cotton ; it is clean in color but short in staple, and gener- ally fetches the highest price of Indian Indigenous Cotton. 236 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [185362. 7th . Weight of an average bale of Cotton ? 8th. Amount produced per acre in your District. State amount in two forms, firstly, quantity of Cot- ton seed ; secondly, quantity of Cot- ton clean ? The average weight of a bundle that comes from the District to Tu- ticorin is 120 Ibs. Cotton coming from the interior is packed in bundles never in bales. Istly. The highest quantity of seed produced per acre is f Candy equal to 15 Madras Maunds, and the lowest 5f Maunds. 9th. Whether the soil of your District is of the black adhesive kind known as Cotton soil ? 2ndly. The highest quantity of cleaned Cotton per acre is Candy or 5 Madras Maunds, and the lowest If Maund. Cotton is cultivated in this District on four descriptions of soils, viz,, first, Karisel, or black soil ; second, Veppel, a mixture of black and sandy soil ; third, Pottel or stiff clay soil ; and fourth, Shevel or red soil, but more extensively on black Cotton soil. Five pounds of each of the first three descriptions of soils will be for- warded to the Chemical Examiner at Madras for analysis. The price of Cotton on board ship varies considerably according to the state of the market, but on the aver- age has been 89 Rupees per Candy of 500 Ibs. net weight during the last four years. 12th. Price given to culti\ator ? The price given to cultivator per Candy of uncleaned Cotton with seed, ranges from Rupees 14-12-3 to Ru- pees 20-15-0. 10th. Send a small quantity (4 or 5 Ibs.) to Madras for analysis as soon as possible ? llth. ship? Price of Cotton on board 13th. Average number of acres cultivated with Cotton by one indi- vidual in your District ? Seven acres. 185362.] CARNATIC : EIGHT DISTRICTS. 237 14th. Maximum number culti- vated with Cotton by one individual. 15th. Quantity of Cotton export- ed from Tuticorin ? Sixty acres. Quantity exported from Tuticorin in Fasly 1270, from 1st July 1860 to 30th June 1861, was 30,667 Candies. CHAP. VI. 16th. Is any extentionofcultiva- If there was a considerable rise in tion of Cotton likely to take place the price of Cotton, the cultivation in your District were a stimulus given would doubtless be extended. I do to the growth of Cotton by a consi- derable rise in its price, or by any other means ? 17. Quantity of Cotton grown in your District ? 18. What is the total number of acres available for Cotton cultivation in this District ? 19th. Do Capitalists make advan- ces to Ryots engaged in Cotton cul- tivation ? 20th. What is done with the sur- plus Cotton seed ? not see a better stimulus than this. The average quantity grown yearly in the last three years was 1,50,000 Candies ; this is Cotton not cleaned. 2,07,850 acres. The Merchants and Agents make large advances to the Brokers, Deal- ers and Nattookottay Chetties equal to three-quarters of the value of Cot- ton contracted for, and the latter again make advances to the Ryots engaged in Cotton cultivation. A portion of the surplus Cotton seed is used as food for cattle, some is exported to Colombo. Letter from Mr. Hardy, European Agent at Tuti- 323 corin. The following letter, received from Mr. Thomas- Mr.Hardy's Hardy, at Tuticorin, furnishes the following particulars re- specting the Cotton trade 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 de- cennial period it reached only bales 16,000 the crop being nearly a total failure, During the first half of these ten 238 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [185362. CHAP, years, the price rarely exceeded Rupees 60 per Candy of VI ' 500 Ibs. ; but during the last five years the price has rarely been less than Rupees 80 and is now Rupees 100 ; which latter price will require at the present rates of freight and exchange, about 7d per Ib. 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 favorite 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 to no Indigenous Cotton grown in India, (except- ing the Dharwarsaw-ginned ; it is of good colour but the sta- ple 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 slo- venly manner broad cast, and two crops are taken during the year, one in February and one in June. Cotton is planted in the month of October and November, and deliveries be- gin to take place in April. Cotton is all bought on con- tract for delivery under heavy advances to the sellers, viz : about three-fourths of its value, and for delivery in period varying from two to four months." In a subsequent letter, Mr. Hardy says, " I do not think that saw-gins will be introduced in Tinnevelly, for the staple of the Tinnevelly Cotton is shorter than that of Dharwar." 329 3rd, 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, 185362.] CENTRAL TABLE-LAND : FIVE DISTRICTS. 239 from the great western chain of mountains to what might be CHAP, called the eastern hills ; and from the southern territory of ' Mysore, which has a mean elevation of 3,000 feet, to the northern Districts of Bellary and Cuddapah, where the mean elevation is 1,600 feefc. It embraces five Districts, viz. (1) Bellary, (2) Kurnool, (3) Cuddapah, (4) Salem, (5) Coim- batore. (1) Bellary : detailed report from the Collector.- 330 Bellary is one of the largest Cotton growing Districts in the Mr Halha . Madras Presidency. The Collector reports that nearly 600,000 JJf ' s ^ acres are available for the cultivation, and of these nearly half June 18(J1 * 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 quan- tity of Cotton is obtained for consumption within the Dis- trict, and a large quantity is exported to Madras, Bangalore, Wallajapet, 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 331 introduce the cultivation in this District of the American Mr Pelly , g Cotton ; but the experiments have generally failed. The Cotton grown throughout this District, viz. " White Cot- ton," is of but one kind. This Cotton is grown in the Black or Kegud lands, dependent entirely on the rain ; it is not usual to water Cotton by artificial means. It is customary 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 pre- pared and kept ready for sowing, by ploughing it twice with the implement called " Chinna Goontaka," a large hoe drawn by four bullocks. The Regud. or Black lands, of this District 240 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1853 62, CHAP, generally retain their moisture at a depth of half a yard under ___^1_ the surface. 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 re- ceived a sufficient supply, and Cotton is accordingly 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 dependant on this second fall, if the ground has been pre- viously fully moistened. Cotton is sown by itself or with corraloo : two rows of the latter grain are sown for every one row of Cotton. Cotton sown by itself, is sown general- ly 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. 332 Geology and topography. " The dry lands of this Dis- trict may be classed into three sorts : 1st. Black ; 2nd. Mixture of Black and Eed ; 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 cultivation, and must lie fallow for five or six years. White gravel is found at two yards below the ground in Black lands, and Red gravel is found at about half to one yard be- low 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 situa- tion is about 1,500 feet above the level of the sea and is naturally well drained. 185362.] CENTRAL TABLE-LAND: FIVE DISTRICTS. 241 Climate." In this Inland District the rain fall is very CHAP. VI small, generally about 20 to 30 inches at most, and the * climate is very dry. The seasons for rain are from May to 333 August, and secondly from September to the 15th Novem- ber. 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 obtained." The kind of seed 334 used, is that of the Cotton grown in this district. Nature and character of the Cotton." The Cotton of 335 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 maturity 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 cultivation, time of flowering, and 336 weight of Cotton wool per acre,etc. " As already stated, theRegudor Black land, previously made ready for cultivation, is, upon a seasonable fall of rain, sown through bamboo tubes * Early rains. Later rains. Inches. Inches. 1852-53 7'5 21-3 1853-51 7'1 2-3 1854-55 5-1 10 9 1855-56 2-3 15-3 1856-57 H" 6-4 G 1 242 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [185362. with an implement called Gooroo (Drill plough), containing three teeth, and drawn by a pair of bullocks. But in sowing Cot- ton 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 cor- raloo. 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 Cotton with corraloo is about the month of September, and for Cotton alone about fifteen or twenty days afterwards. 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 description of im- plement, 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 bestowed upon weeding four times the above quan- tity of land, may be estimated at Rupees 2J 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 annas 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 sowing. The Cotton is picked on three occasions in the month. It is in the second time that the 1853 62.] CENTRAL TABLE-LAND : FIVE DISTRICTS. 243 largest quantity of Cotton is picked. On the whole, the CHAP. average quantity of Cotton produced per acre may be esti- 1_ mated at 15 maunds (375 Ibs.) ; and, deducting one- third or five maunds for the remuneration of persons employed in picking, the net quantity remaining for the cultivator would be 10 maunds, which will produce 2J 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 re- 337 turned 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 338 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 339 is a Cotton growing District, having about 250,000 acres Mr> Min . under cultivation. It carries on a small export trade through Cuddapah to Madras. Mr. Minchin, the Collector, is of 1862 ' opinion that the sole obstacle to the increased 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 340 production. " The average cost of a bandy from the Cot- ton producing Talook of Pattikondu to Madras is Rupees 30, or 60s ; and as one third of a ton is the greatest load that 244 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1853 G 2. CHAP, 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 of a most worthless de- scription, 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 im- proved in any way by Native Agriculturists. The modes of cultivation, picking, and preparation, are all too slovenly to permit any reasonable hope of material improvement being effected by untaught 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 country reaches a price sufficient to pay the cost of the ex- pensive land journey to the coast, it can be produced in this district to a large extent, and the limit to its cultiva- tion is simply its proportionate remuneration to the pro- ducer, as compared with that of grains. It appears certain, therefore, that the completion of the canal to Madras, and the cheap means of communication that will then be offered, will enable traders to pay a much larger price for the ordi- nary Cotton of this District than they can now afford to do ; and should the present demand for the article continue, its production in this part of the country will be increased. 341 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 preparation of the article. I doubt, however, the practicability of any real im- provement being made in the staple ; and believe that if England looks to India for her Cotton supply, our manufac- turers must learn to make use of the present inferior descrip- tion, which alone the country appears capable of producing." 1853 62.] CENTRAL TABLE-LAND : FIVE DISTRICTS. 245 (3) Cuddapah : present state of Cotton as reported CHAP. by Mr. Wedderburn, the Collector. Cuddapah is also VI " a Cotton growing district, about 50,000 acres being 342 under this cultivation. Mr. Wedderburn, the Collector, Mr . wed- reports as follows. " The out-turn of this district last year leuer'.Ssth .... ,, ,, , , April 1861. was calculated at more than two millions ot IDS., valued at 3|d per Ib. upon the spot, or about ^30,000, 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 packing. 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 ship- ment in this dry climate, instead of that process being per- formed in the damp air of the Sea coast, 1 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 subsequent letter Mr. Wedderburn Mr. wed- stated that the extension of the cultivation depended upon letter, 22nd Oct. 1861. the profit to be derived from the exportation of Cotton, as compared with the exportation of other grain products. That Government could do nothing that would prove of advantage, beyond adding 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 Indigenous variety ; all previous experiments with foreign seed having proved failures, excepting perhaps in gafdens and favoured locali- ties ; 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 indi- viduals must take the risk and profit of introducing a better 246 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1853 62. CHAP, system of cultivation, if there be one ; and of dealing L_ directly for the raw produce, which is much deteriorated in picking, cleaning, packing, and transit. 343 Detailed report by Mr. Murray, the previous Col- Mr. Mur- lector. The following report, drawn up in 1858 in reply SGst July to Professor Mallet's application, conveys still more particu- 1 8*18 lar information respecting the Cotton cultivation in the district of Cuddapah. 344 Soil." Cotton is chiefly grown in the Western portion of the Cuddapah district, in land commonly designated " Ka- gada" 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. 345 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 Kyot 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 Potatoe, commonly called by the Natives " Kudunchy ;" the root varies from the size of a small to a large Potatoe, is excessively bitter, and cannot be eaten, and from it springs a species of vine, which runs along the 185362.] CENTRAL TABLE-LAND : FIVE DISTRICTS. 247 ground and produces a yellow flower, and a fruit of the size CHAP. 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. A species of wild Hyacinth is also very common ; several other kinds of weeds common to other soils are also produced upon Black soil. Geology and topography " The Black Cotton soil rests 346 chiefly upon sand, kunkur or lime. When excavations are made for the purpose of obtaining water, it is found to ex- tend 20 or 30 feet ; and when resting upon the lime, the water found is brackish and unfit for domestic purposes ; when resting upon sand the water is generally sweet. The soil may be stated to range from two yards to 30 or 40 feet deep. The district of Cuddapah is very mountainous. The Black Cotton soil commences at a short distance from Cud- dapah, and runs westward on the east side of the Nulla- malah range on through the Bellary district. The plains are undulating, and naturally well drained, the drainage empties itself into small rivers, which again discharge themselves chiefly into the Paupugny and the Pennar rivers. One of these small rivers called the Khoondoo, which is fed by the drainage from the Black lands is, in the hot weather, so brackish as to be unfit for household purposes or irrigation. And in some places the soil is so impregnated with salt that the latter can be obtained by gathering it off the surface of the land. This salt is required for agricultural stock, and cannot be dispensed with. In the river beds, a species of slate containing Pyrites of iron is procured, which is used both in building and flooring houses. The height above the level of the sea may be stated to range from 2,000 to 2,300 feet in this province. Climate. " The climate in the hot weather is very hot ; 347 and the Black soil becoming thoroughly heated, retains it until it is cooled down by the rains. Slight showers may 248 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [185362. CHAP, be generally expected in May, June and July, which enables L_ the land to be ploughed, and in some places sown ; but the chief rains fall in September and October, when Jonna and Cotton seeds are sown ; the former is cut in February and the latter gathered in March and April. For the Indige- nous Cotton, irrigation is never used. A moderately dry season is the most favourable for the plant. Supposing that the land is thoroughly saturated with rain at the time of sowing, and another heavy shower is received about six weeks or two months later, it is sufficient to bring the Cot- ton plant to maturity. Succeeding rains tend to the growth of the plant, but to the decrease of the produce. The Ryots inform me that if the plants were irrigated they would yield only one-fourth of the return produced in a dry season. The average quantity of rain in the provinces, where Black Cotton soil is chiefly to be found, may be set down at Inches 22-914583, the average of the last three years. 348 Seed used and whence obtained. " The seed used for sowing is obtained from the neighbouring villages. The general use made of Cotton seeds by the Cultivators is to feed their cattle ; for which purpose they are most ex- cellent. 349 Character of the Cotton plant." The Cotton plant grown in this part of the country is herbaceous. The Cot- ton tree grows in the jungles, but the produce is of no use in manufactures, the staple being too short. American and other Cottons have been tried in this district, but have hitherto failed. The Cotton plant is very hardy, provided it does not receive too much rain at the time of sowing. It is a herbaceous plant, which rises to the height of about three feet and extends its branches about 18 inches. The seeds are sown about a foot apart from each other in regular rows, and not unfrequeritly, horse-gram is sown between the 1853 62.] CENTRAL TABLE-LAND : FIVE DISTRICTS. plants. The root of the Cotton plant shoots down perpen- CHAP, dicularly to the distance of eight inches, and the plant is de- ' pendent upon one tap root, from which others diverge. Should this be destroyed, the plant dies. Mode of cultivation, time of flowering, weight of 350 Cotton wool per acre, etc, " The land having been pre- viously prepared, the seeds are sown in drills in the month of September, about twelve inches from each other. The night prior to sowing, they are saturated in a solution of fresh cow-dung and water; they germinate on the fourth day. Af- ter attaining a height of eight or twelve inches, labourers are employed in clearing away the weeds, and often in sowing grain between the plants. After the lands have been tho- roughly cleared, and when the hot weather is approaching, the plough is run through the drills, and the roots of the plant are banked up. The plant commences to flower about the fourth month, that is, about January and February, as the time of sowing may be ; and the produce is gathered in the months of March and April. There are four pickings ; the first and the fourth are the least ; and the second and third the most productive. The average produce per acre may be stated to be eight maunds or 200 Ibs., and the ginned Cotton 50 Ibs. Manure. " Manure is not in general used for growing 351 Cotton. It is made use of when jonna is sown, which is much more remunerative ; and as jonna ought not to be grown two successive years on the same land, Cotton is substituted. The Cotton stalks are cut and used as fuel ; sometimes they are placed with earth over them, as a protection to walls [of houses] from the monsoon rains. Diseases. " Cotton plants when weakened by unsea- 352 sonable rains, suffer from the effects of a mildew, which covers the green leaf with white spots, and then the plant being H 1 250 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1853 62. CHAP, thus weakened is speedily attacked by insects, grasshoppers, L_ etc., and destroyed. Another species of blight causes honey dew to exude from the plant, which greatly weakens it. Tn January, should there be cloudy weather and rain whilst the pods are forming, they are very liable to drop off and the produce to be injured. 353 (4) Salem : Messrs. Fischer and Co., the only ex- Letter of porters, The Cotton lands under cultivation in this Dis- Hth B Dec! trict are rather more than 15,000 acres. Messrs. Fischer and Co., are the only persons in the District, who buy Cotton for Para. as. exportation, and the views of Mr. Fischer upon the subject have already been exhibited. The Collector adds that good roads intersect the District in all directions, and that the lands on which the Cotton is chiefly grown are for the most part within twenty-five or thirty miles of the South Western Railway. 354 (51 Coimbatore : detailed report of Mr. Thomas, the Collector In this important District, the scene of of Dr. Wight's labours, up wards of 120,000 acres are under Cot- ton cultivation. The report of Mr. Thomas in reply to Pro- Mr Tho- f essor Mallett's application, is rather lengthy, but exhibits t* >s isth so many plain and practical details, that it has been expe- )ec. 1857. j. ent J. Q p r nt ft ^ n ex fc ens0j m erely omitting certain data which have already been exhibited so prominently in the summa- ry of Dr. Wight's reports, as to require no repetition here. 355 Soil : Black, Red, and Alluvium. " The soils on which Cotton is grown in this district are as follows. 1. Black Cot- ton soil (also called Regur) a formation said to be peculiar to India. Its component parts seem as yet doubtful. 2. Bed soil, formed from disintegrated granite, with a large ad- mixture 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 185362.] CENTRAL TABLE-LAND : FIVE DISTRICTS. become very hard in dry weather. These two latter are CHAP. not very deep, averaging about four teen inches. The Black soil 1 is the deepest, averaging three or four feet, not unfrequently reaching six feet in depth ; it is also the dryest, 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 Bed 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 de- voted 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, bu,t 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 356 primitive granite rock, over which the soil is in general but thinly spread ; the underlying rock frequently cropping 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 op- * E. g. Cholum (Holchus Saccharatus. Lin.) Cumboo (Holchus Spicatus. Lin.) Raggy (Cynosurus Coracanus. Lin ) Samy (Panicum Miliaceum. Lin.) Ten ay (Panicum Italicum. Lin.) Gram (Glycine Tomentosa. Lin.) 252 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY, [185362. CHAP, posite the Paulghaut Gap, a remarkable Weak 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 in the tract under the influence of 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. 357 Climate," From June to September, during the preva- lence of the South-west monsoon, the climate is cool and cloudy with continual light rains. In October and Novem- ber heavy showers fall, the North-east monsoon then sets in, and there is a continuance of clear, bright weather with heavy night dews till February. 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 con- stant. From June to September the tract lying within and in front of the Paulghaut Gap receives conti- nual 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 ] 8 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 favour- able results, but had to be used sparingly, and care taken that the surface of the ground did not ca,ke. In a small field, which had been occasionally watered, the crop of New Orleans Cotton, amounted to 260 Ibs. per acre, whilst in another neighbouring field unirrigated, the pickings scarcely reached 20 Ibs. per acre. Difference of soil however, may have had some influence over this ; and by some, irri- gation is said not to answer, producing leaves but not Cotton, 185362.] CENTRAL TABLE-LAND : FIVE DISTRICTS. 253 Seed used and whence obtained. The seed of the CHAP. "VI Native Oopum Cotton is kept by the Natives from the last ' crop, and sown in the following season. The seed is not 358 separated from the Cotton till the sowing time, or it looses its germinating power. The New Orleans, Bourbon, Mexi- can, etc. seed used in the late Experimental Farm, was ob- tained by Government from England, 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 stock of seed for eleven years, without apparent deterioration in the quality of either the Cotton or seed produced.* Character of the Cotton plant. " The Oopum is a 359 small plant, seldom exceeding five feet in height, generally 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 stunt- ed. 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 preced- ing species, with more of an upward, than a lateral direction. 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 thick- ness, 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 distance 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 ; but for * This fact has been disputed. See General results at the conclusion of the present chapter, para 372. 254 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1853 62. CHAP, moist low lying rich soils five feet is not too much, as in 1__ 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 samples 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 obtain- able. The roots of the Bourbon plant appear to average one foot and a half in depth and fifteen inches in spread, and those of the N ative Oopum Cotton 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. 360 Mode of cultivation, time of flowering, weight of Cotton wool per acre, etc." In the Southern provinces of India, the cultivation of Cotton has to be adapted to the peculiarities of the seasons. Droug ht is an obstacle, not so much from insufficiency in the quan tity 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 distri- buted over two or three months, nearly the whole falls in as many weeks or even days. This usually happens in Octo- ber; 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 growing, and dry sunny weather while maturing. The mode of cultivation is simple. 185362.] CENTRAL TABLE-LAND : FIVE DISTRICTS. 255 The ground is well ploughed, the deeper the better; and as CHAP. much as possible freed from weeds, and if uneven the in- L__ equalities 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 recep- tion 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 ; from which time in ordi- nary seasons ifc 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. Another ploughing in the interval between the two hoeings is always beneficial, by so well loosening and airing fche soil. Very few plants are injured by ploughing between the rows, as the roots penetrate deeply and are not in the way of the plough ; while any plant trod- den down by the bullocks, the roots being uninjured, soon re- covers. 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 distance, as allowing the free use of the plough ; heavier crops are so ob- tained than from closer sowing, the fruit setting and ripening 256 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1853 62. CHAP, better, and fewer flowers blighting and dropping off. A J foot, or should the plant be vigorous, 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 plough- ed between the rows, and well exposed to air before the monsoon 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 in- terior at least On the coast, New Orleans Cotton has been known to yield better crops in the second year. The fore- going account refers to the cultivation in this district of American Cotton. The Native mode of cultivating Indi- genous 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 weeding 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 a time. Four la- bourers are employed per acre in picking, and one labourer will pick 12 Ibs. of clean Cotton in the season. Generally speaking, from 150 to 250 Ibs per acre is always looked upon as a full crop of Native seed Cotton, while from 350 to 500 Ibs. 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 rice fields, has been known to pro- duce from 1,200 to 1,400 Ibs. of seed Cotton (American) per acre. Three hundred pounds of seed Cotton represent 90 Ibs. of clean Cotton. Cultivation to be profitable should yield 100 Ibs. of ginned staple per acre. Gins give for Native Cotton about 21, and for American 29 per cent of Cotton to seed. 185362.] MALABAR COAST : THREE DISTRICTS. 257 Manure. " No manure is used, nor any Cotton seed re- CHAP. turned to the soil. The stalks are not allowed to decay on 1_ the ground. They are always plucked up and used by the 361 Natives as firewood. Diseases. " With respect to Native Cotton, in November 362 and December the roots are liable to be attacked by a worm or grub, which kills the plant. In December too, the flowers and leaves are sometimes destroyed by a blight. Should too strong an east wind blow in 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 ex- tensively 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 larva of which, feeds on the inside ; so that when they open, a large portion of the wool is stained rusty red and spoilt." 4th, Western strip or Malabar coast : three districts. 363 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 Cochin on the South, northwards to the frontiers of the Bombay Presi- Parag> 7< dency. The physical features of this region, which is pecu- 10I ' 102> liarly open to the influence of the South-west monsoon, have already been described ; as well as the results of the Cotton 78 exploring expedition of Mr. Simpson, the American planter. The country is divided into three districts ; viz. (1) North Canara ; (2) South Canara ; (3) Malabar. (1) North Canara: not a Cotton producing District. 364 North Canara is not at present a Cotton producing dis- trict. The port of Coomptah on the coast is the outlet for nearly all the Cotton exported from Bellary and the Nizam's i 1 258 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [185362. CHAP, dominions. The district is also the scene of an interesting ! experiment in the growth of foreign Cotton now under Mr pis- ^ a ^- The Collector reports that the lines of communication cher's ie between the frontier of the neighbouring Cotton districts Apni 1*61. an( j |.j ie coag ^ are j n 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 ob- stacles to increased production seem to be uncertainty of local demand, the want of European capital and influence in the producing districts, 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 difficulty in increasing the supply of Cotton. However great the de- mand 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 district, he has both the will and the industry to profit by it." 365 Report of the District Engineer on the experimen- tal culture of Mr, Kleinknecht. The District Engi- Captain Ster er i5t neer re P r ^ s " that Cotton soil in the usual acceptation of i86i. ember that term does not exist in this District, except possibly in small patches along portions of the Dharwar frontier near Moondagode and Hullial, wherever however Cotton is not actually grown, the ground being covered with jungle. " Bub 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 185362.] MALABAR COAST: THREE DISTRICTS. 259 and Mr. Kleinknecht appear to have studied the subject for CHAP. some years past, and to have experimentally satisfied them- ' selves as to the right season for planting, on which so much depends. So far as I am yet informed, Mr. Kleinknecht is sanguine of producing Cottons of superior staples, the high, prices commended by which, and the cheapness as 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 vege- tation each monsoon. " But the fullest particulars regarding this interesting and practical experiment will be afforded to Government 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 a large field for specu- lators in the same line, as ground precisely similar to that operated upon by him is available along the banks of all our large rivers below the Ghaut, specially the Kalee Nuddee or Sedashegur river, the Gungawally, the Tuddey, and Honore rivers." (2) South Canara: not a Cotton producing Dis- 366 trict. South Canara produces but a very inconsiderable Mr . Hodg- amount of Cotton, and that little is sown along with grain, Jfh Dec"m- and is used entirely in domestic manufactures. The quantity produced is indeed so small that none ever finds its way to the sea board for shipment ; on the contrary it is imported largely from the port of Coomptah in North Canara. (3) Malabar : not a Cotton producing District. 367 The Collector reports that Malabar is not a Cotton pro- Mr Orant , g ducing District. The article is however largely imported by land from the adjoining province of Coimbatore, chiefly for the purpose of exportation by sea to Bombay, 260 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [185362. Native States : Mysore, Cochin, and Travancore. The Cotton grown in the Native States in the Madras 368 Presidency is inconsiderable in quantitj^, and is almost en- Mr. Berry's tirely employed for domestic purposes. From the port of November Cochin about 250,000 Ibs. are annually exported to Bombay. The trade is entirely in the hands of the Shroffs or Native Bankers, who advance money to the cultivators, and thus keep the trade entirely to themselves. 369 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 improving the Cotton staple in this country. In the preparation 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 di- gestible to the general reader, than as possessing any special knowledge of Cotton beyond what might be required in the prosecution of his task. But still the analysis and com- parison of facts naturally leads to certain convictions, and those convictions may perhaps be recorded with advantage. 370 Pour 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. 3rd, American Cotton must always command a higher price than Indian. 4th, The demand for Indian Cotton must always depend on the supply of American. 1853 62.] FOUR GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. 261 These four conclusions may be considered in order. CHAP. 1st, American Cotton can be grown, but the profit 371 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 vari- able 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 endea- voured to prove, that the cultivation of foreign Cotton would prove as profitable to the Kyot as that of grain, even on the more highly rented lands that are under an ar- tificial system of irrigation. But the Ryots would not be convinced. Setting grain out of the question, the Ryot has hitherto found it more safe and profitable to grow In- digenous Cotton than to grow New Orleans Cotton. The cultivation 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 toler- ably 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 separation of the staple from the seed is more expensive, the crop is uncertain, the staple not in use amongst Native spinners, the seed popu- larly supposed to be unfit for cattle, and the market doubt- ful and distant. High prices on the spot would extend the cultivation of Indian Cotton, and perhaps promote the cul- tivation of American Cotton ; but this is a question for the consideration, not of Government, but of the merchant and manufacturer. 262 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [185362. \ CHAP. 2nd. Indian Cotton may be improved, but only ' to a degree. This inference, though it amounts to a con- viction, is not so distinctly proved as the previous proposi- tion. It has been stated that at one time the Cotton 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 according to quality. Thus the profit of the grower depended upon the quality of the wool, and more attention was naturally paid to the cultiva- tion of the plant anfl 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 fur- ther. As a recent writer in a London paper has remark- ?5 C thJau 8 a-' e ^ ^ e Indigenous Cotton is the product of an Indian ry 1862. so ^ an( j c ii ma te } 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 approximate year by year to the Indige- nous 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 precarious in proportion to the difference between the exotic 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 cultiva- tion of the plant, and in the cleanliness of the staple, the soil, and climate of Southern India will never produce a re- liable and permanent crop of Cotton equal to the New Orleans variety. 185362.] FOUR GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. 263 3rd, American Cotton must always command a CHAP. higher price than Indian. This conclusion is already VL proved by what has been stated in support of the previous 373 proposition. New Orleans Cotton is undoubtedly better than any' which has as yeb 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 Indian Cotton must always 374 depend upon the supply of American. This conclu- sion 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 position of Indian Cotton in the English market is thus strictly a subsidiary one ; and its utility to the manufacturer 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 dispa- rity 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 improvement of communications in India, and the large in- crease 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 264f COTTON IN THE HABEAS PRESIDENCY. [185362. CHAP, for Cotton, not to supply her looms, but to keep down the price of the New Orleans staple. 375 Political and commercial prospects of Indian Cotton. Upon this point, as on the others, the compiler merely 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 disorga- nised, and slavery has received such a blow, that we can scarcely expect that the American supply will be fully equal to the demand for a long time to come ; and the weight of a national 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 per- haps 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. OF THE 1 1 M l OF APPENDIX I < STATEMENT SHOWING THE EXTENT OF COTTON CULTIVATION IN THE SEVERAL DISTRICTS OF THE MADKAS PEESIDENCY, FOE EIGHT YEARS FROM 1853-54 TO 1860-61. 11 STATEMENT showing the Cultivation of Cotton in the Districts of the Madras the Annual Jammabundy Accounts GOVERNMENT DISTRICTS. 1853-54. 1854-55. 1855-56. 1856-57. Extent. t+s Is Extent. Assess- ment. Extent Assess- ment. Extent. 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, l,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 6,4lO t 6 Guntoor. . . 55,206 79,678 54,862; 81,102 63,570 90,799 60,877 6 Nellore 2,786 6,181 3,955, 6,064 3,513 4,360 3,742 7 8 9 10 Cuddapah. .. Bellary 42,233 1,32,585 66,023 60,862 1,56,909 76,148 47,962 1,04,578 64,641 71,414 1,26,778 72,755 40,554 73,544 59,739 2 56,041 89,114 66,935 8 44,224 1,50,927 70,835 1 Kurnool Chingleput . . . 11 North Arcot. . 21 67 35 63 32 12 South Arcot. . 1,828 5,078 2,227 4,323 4,868 10,553 3,131 13 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 Tinnevelly. . . 1,23,836 1,08,120 1,24,932 1,10,483 1,14,969 1,04,405 1,11,576 17 18 19 20 21 Coimbatore . . Salem 1,03,196 7,838 1,66,360 11,664 1,04,559 7,608 161,311 11,922 1,22,457 5,597 1,40,455 8,568 80,417 11,241 Total.... |5,86,28 7,59,59C 5,72,366) 7,47,326 ! 5,42,631 0,69,537 5,88,605' Ill Presidency for the last eight years commencing from 18 53-54 prepared from received from the Collectors. LANDS. 1857-58. 1858-59. 1859-60. 1860-61. 11 Extent, it Extent. Wl -*-> Extent. it 1 W 11 Rupees. Acres. Rupees. Acres, Rupees. Acres. Rupees. Acres. Rups. 4,124 2,689 3,546 2,592 3,368 3,523 5,315 2,955 3,425 4,791 869 4,423 889 4,347 918 \ Godvy. 4,707 1,047 4,699 7,585 2,492 5,266 2,688 4,821 j 5/227 8,681 4,649 6,409 7,142 93,168 5,456 62,926 5,133 95,961 6,856 76,196 6,639 1,20,722 \ Kist. 88,449 1,34,836 80,312 1,24,200 6,471 2,351 3,158 2,762 3,903 3,270 4,018 4,113 5,032 66,251 37,752 57,181 23,092 34,325 22,166 32,354 16,397 17,048 2,25,388 1,23,526 1,51,787 1,73,271 1,74,023 1,81,609 1,86,697 1,80,157 1,84,643 77,900 3 67 63,140 73,960 1,01,648 1,19,514 98,174 1,14,736 78,187 .93,167 30 60 24 35 23 42 36 57 5,789 18,309 43,680 18,174 42,085 32,543 73,268 34,686 77,454 3,669 2,361 3,67] 1,756 2,632 1,036 1,356 576 793 8,734 4,920 8,383 5,079 8,773 4,698 7,945 4,719 8,679 50,924 32,806 61,504 31,975 59,415 33,591 62,478 34,255 63,208 98,188 1,21,975 1,14,577 1,25,985 1,15,577 1,22,078 1,08,762 1,26,888 1,19,918 89,169 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 10,134 15,089 10,507 16,389 4 7,11,359 6 8,96,728 4 6,95,501 6 8,52,265 7,67,421 5,93,671 7,65,828 7,00,462 8,51,492 IV STATEMENT showing the Cultivation of Cotton in the DISTRICTS. 1JNAM 1853-54. 1854-55. 1855-56. 1856-57. -4J 1 H W Assess- ment. Extent. 8^ o> C 02 QJ 3s ^J I "* W Assess- ment. -4-> 1 M H Acres. Hups. Acres. Rupees, Acres. Rupees. Acres. I Ganjam 138 153 190 186 309 125 2 Vizagapatam. 91 521 118 625 124 578 132 3 i 5 6 Rajahmundry Masulipatam. Guntoor. . 512 1,095 425 1,686 34,754 1,351 557 2,114 53,941 1,700 1,000 1,740 41,900 849 1,550 1,964 52,858 922 839 1,881 36,286 1,188 42,139 1,559 60,796 2,491 Nellore 7 Cuddapah.. . . 25,338 41,280 27,090 41,682 25,277 39,715 30,857 8 9 10 11 12 Bellary Kurnool 81,069 41,075 1,18,104 8,671 62,262 39,818 87,476 11,421 50,564 40,498 72,754 8,466 1,09,650 45,573 North Arcot.. South Arcot . 5 7 10 15 3 1 3 7 .... 13 Tanjore 178 99 65 99 14 Trichinopoly. 40 66 39 66 39 66 1,898 15 Mudura 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 18 19 20 21 Coimbatore . . Salem 8,904 41 11,371 106 93,58 17 11,294 30 11,749 13 12,011 19 9,739 48 .... .... Total.... 2,23,027 2,08,873 2,56,736 1,84,855 1,80,823 2.01,633 2,44,711 Districts of the Madras Presidency, fyc. (Continued.] LANDS. 1x57-58. 1858-59. 1859-60. 1860-61. . Assess- ment. Extent. Assess- ment. +5 1 H w cO & 35 o ^a ! & Assess- ment. Extent. N CQ O < a Hups. Acres. Hups. Acres. Rupees. Acres. Rupees. Acres. Rups- 161 134 308 67 114 122 153 78 99 768 182 1,008 223 1,139 246 } Godavy. 1,343 275 1,438 2,310 585 961 1,035 1,504 j 1,861 2,788 2,247 3,138 2,988 1,079 1,453 1,568 2,131 } Kistnah. 50,595 39,909 55,400 42,122 57,284 j 41,411 61,104 43,432 61,213 1,751 512 629 989 1,309 1,000 1,233 751 829 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 54,151 16,558 54,366 35,016 9 2 6 5 9 1 5 5 14 8 3,381 7 40 510 47 2 5 655 1,933 225 653 617 749 1,311 1,098 1,538 915 1,549 8,526 5,067 9,583 4,764 9,429 5,119 9,778 3,830 7,523 1,998 3,724 2,953 12,883 15,860 9,441 9,989 12,286 12,388 9,817 12,437 12,202 13,142 12,745 13,869 12,086 14,685 12,692 66 39 57 65 195 61 195 66 186 . 2,61,811 3,24,133 2,08,031 2,35,142 2,24,052 2,61,053 2,44,113 2,51,966 2,45,200 VI STATEMENT showing the Cultivation of Cotton in the DISTRICTS. ZEMINDARY 1853-54. 1854-55. 1855-56. 1866-57. Extent. is" I 1 Extent. if 3 s Extent. i OT jt in TJ Q C2 Jf 4-i 1 M w */2 .4^ 8 fl II Acres. Rupees. Acres. Rupees. Acres. Rupees Acres. Rupees I Ganjam 1,211 2,671 10 28 2,345 4,673 1,407 3,261 2 Vizagapatam. 4,247 30,289 3,959 30,104 3,960 29,897 4,066 31,455 3 Rajahmundry 2,912 6,569 4,248 9,790 3,765 8,823 3,453 8,140 4 Masulipatam. ... ... 468 190 731 284 e O 6 7 Guntoor Nellore ... 6,885 58 6,396 119 8,390 60 7,64] 101 9,816 77 8,449 142 9,196 7,700 Cuddapah. ... 8 Bellary ... .. .. .. .. 9 Kurnool ... .. ... .'. .. 10 Chingleput... ... ... ... 11 North Arcot.. ... 7 4 1 1 31 70 12 13 14 15 16 South Arcot. Tanjore 658 7 39,572 6,821 20 51,251 8,495 1 489 39,890 6,777 4 53,630 8,406 28 308 16,266 7,492 71 21,971 9,046 3 312 36,444 47,580 5 50,313 58,561 Trichinopoly. Madura. Tinnevelly ... 17 Coimbatore... 1,819 3,612 1,610 3,380 1,714 2,948 897 1,846 18 19 20 Salem Canara 6,529 10,073 6,174 8,980 4,881 7,417 611 1,366 Malabar 21 Madras Total... ... .., .. .. .. ... 70,719 1,19,495 71,618 1,22,068 51,121 93,628 1,04,731 1,63,001 Vll Districts of the Madras Presidency, fyc. (Continued.) 1857-58. 1858-69. 1859-60. 1860-61. +j 1 N W I) Extent. |l ^S Extent- O C3 cfl *> |a -4-J 1 Ml m i^ s^ to g Acres. 2,174 Rupees. 4,797 Acres. 1,427 Rupees. 3,164 Acres. 1,124 Rupees. 3,057 Acres. 1,645 Rupees. 4,194 4,363 3,436 32,240 8,841 3,998 2,890 28,949 7,506 5,572 J Godavy. ( 5,657 29,096 12,682 3,473 5,761 27,040 10,970 1,151 521 1,303 907 iKistnah. 1,278 656 1,111 475 8,243 7,052 8,221 7,780 8,933 7,509 8,865 7,945 35 79 25 56 31 73 43 ... 36,710 50,665 39,079 53,193 38,449 53,887 43,165 62,020 69,151 73,428 56,022 59,648 52,806 56,200 49,168 49,309 897 1,846 2,243 3,538 2,301 3,730 1,535 2,809 4,279 1,30,48$ 7,401 1,998 4,207 5,019 7,186 5,134 7,467 1,86,870| 1,17,20< 1,68,948 1,21,170 1.74,07f 1,19,85' 1,72,229 Vlll STATEMENT showing the Cultivation of Cotton in the DISTRICTS. To 1853-54. 1854-55, 1855-56. 1856- 1 J! Extent. Assess- ment. Extent. ! i Acres. Rupees. Acres. Rupees. Acres. Rupees, Acres. I Ganjam .... 3,923 5,667 2,645 4,436 5,178 8,810 4,598 2 Vizagapatam. 5,304| 35,316 5,010 35,033 5,104 35,093 5,109 r tj 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 5 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 15,405 14,178 13,731 14,126 7 Cuddapah . . 67,629 1,02,261 75,112 1,13,197 65,908 95,898 75,801 8 Bellary .... 2,13,654 2,75,013 1,66,840 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 75,401 1,16,408 10 Chingleput... .. ... 2 8 1 11 North Arcot, .. 28 71 41 74 66 12 South Arcot , 1,831 5,015 2,228 4,327 4,903 10,639 3,135 13 Tanjore .... 4,443 5,106 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 Tinnevelly . . 1,33,640 1,19,508 1,34,634 1,21,751 1,25,038 1,15,755 1,61,035 17 Coimbatore . . 1,13,919 1,81,343 1,15,527 1,75,985 1,35,920 1,55,414 91,053 18 Salem 13,908 21,743 13,799 20,932 10,491 16,004 11,900 19 Canara .... .. .. .. .. 20 Malabar ... ,\ 21 Madras Total . . . ... .. .. .. ... 8,65,88111,35,820 8,28,838 10,92,421 7,74,575 9,64,798 9,38,047 IX Districts of the Madras Presidency, fyc. (Continued.) TAL. 57. 1857-58. 1858-59. 1869-60. 1860-61. 02 J_i S a as o y the value of the 243|lbs. each; or l|d. per 25 Ibs. to Tutico- rin. Shevagunga seed. 030 13 97,830 not specified nit to a ( 110 Ibs. jgreat extent iJ-f- 7-l| ( (Uncleaned.) 10 12 75 Ibs. Cleaned. 122,391 137,391 006 7^g 300 Ibs. (Uncleaned.) XIV APPENDIX XV. 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! a Ibs. Value iu Ks. ]. FORT ST. GEORGE to United Kingdom 1,993,712 2,15,321 Ceylon...... , 531 664 57 420 China 1,544,144 166 768 France J,456 129 Penang, Singapore and Ma- lacca ' 130,256 14068 Indian French Ports 256,368 17,279 Total 4,457,600 470,985 2. RAJAHMUNDRY to Penang, Singagore and Ma- lacca 2,841 654 ,, Bengal 7,828 627 ,, Indian French Ports 200 16 Pegu... 1,078 210 3 Total SSSSSSSSSSm TANJORE to Ceylon 11,947 MMW^HMHMMMM 150 1,407 . . .- ^ 6 Penang, Singapore and Ma- lacca 10,919 1,625 Total . .. 11,069 1,631 4. TlNNEVELLY ,to United Kingdom 960,900 8,141 134,526 1,139 ,, China 4,066,450 692,810 , Indian French Ports. 154,000 21,560 4,275 599 Total 5,193,766 850,634 Q. MALABAR to United Kingdom 193,134 31,774 1,531 252 ,, Mauritius and Bourbon,.,,.. Bombay 16,702 148,434 3,103 30,528 Travancore 8,536 1,540 Tolal 368,337 167,197 1847-48. Continued. Quantity in Ibs. Value in Us. 6. CANARA to Bombay 14,345 052 1 305 629 59,320 4 432 Total 14,404,372 1,310,061 1848-49. Qaantity in Ibs. Value in Rs. 1 500,196 63 193 359,080 35938 Penang, Singapore and Ma- 446,778 50,622 25,209 2,566 ,, Indian French Ports 186,479 14,260 Total . . 1,517,742 166,579 2. MASULIPATAM to Bengal Total 31,049 2 298 3. TINNEVELLY to United Kingdom 2,190,239 306,641 6 562 919 7,442, 4H3 1 041 945 ,, Indian French Ports .. 414075 57 971 Total 10,053,339 1,407,476 4 MALABAR to United Kingdom 343,293 70 603 964 194 ,, Mauritius and Bourbon J5 Bombay 1,180 1,096 659 243 225 053 Travancore 75,990 11 943 Total 1,518,086 308,036 ft, CANARA to Bombay 4,908,486 390,338 Tra van core 20,222 1,409 Total... 4,928,708 391,747 XVI 1849-50. Quantity in Ibs. Value in Rs. 1. FORT ST. GEORGE to United Kingdom 2,718,488 256,882 , China ...... 591,325 47,963 M France 15,000 1,350 Fenang, Singapore and Malacca 117,900 10,321 Bengal 1,640,700 153,393 }J Indian French Ports 431,072 38,173 Total 5,514,485 508.082 2, RAJAHMUNDRY to Bengal ... Total 24,380 1,821 I 3. MASULIPATAM to Bengal Total asm*a*a**nmammat 60,992 n^BaaawM^Bu 4,548 4. SOUTH ARCOT to United Kingdom. Total... 210,000 29,400 5. TANJOXE to Penan g, Singapore and 11 500 1 646 6. MADURA to Ceylon .. Total 57 604 1 9 104 1,988,125 Tmiinmiii^MMiiiHMii mmm 208 338 150,425 21,059 7,085,143 991,920 Total . . 9,223,693 1,221,317 8. MALABAR to United Kingdom 109,410 22,130 Maldive Islands 720 148 ,, Mauritius and Bourbon... Bombay 9,340 231,590 1,561 47,632 24,080 3,076 Total 375,140 74,547 9. CAN AHA to Bombay Total 21,949,074 2,25-2,650 xrn 1850-51. Quantity in Ibs. Value in Rs. 1 FORT ST GEORGE to United Kingdom 5010 290 575,144 China 5,426,850 651,501 , France.. 255,900 38,367 ,, Penan g, Singapore and Malacca. . 299,400 32,670 Beneral 1,363,500 171,425 Indian French Ports 182,462 22,301 Total.... 12,538,402 1,491,408 2. MASULIPATAM to Bengal Total 43,728 4,189 3. TlNNEVELLY 4. MALABAR to to United Kingdom. Ceylon China.. 3,646,639 510,529 679,525 91 134 3,728,500 521,990 Total....' 8,054,664 1,127,653 380,960 77 749 Maldive Islands ....... 640 123 Mauritius and Bourbon.. . Bombay . . 7,600 177,920 1,571 36,314 14,231 2 159 ( _, . 5, CANARA to Arabian Gulf 2,216 270 Bombay 23,960,244 3,081 354 Total.. .. 23,970,460 3,081,624 1851-52. Quantity in Ibs. Value in Rs. 1. FORT ST. GEORGE to United Kingdom. . 1,804,950 196 637 China. . 3,672,203 367 963 ,, France 48,000 5,709 Penan g, Singapore and Malacca . . 1,331,100 145 457 Bengal 900,800 99,086 Indian French Ports ...... 300,507 30,505 Total.. 8,057,560 845,357 2. MASULIPATAM to Bengal. . Total | 56,878( 4,650 XV111 1851-52. Continued. Quantity in Ibs. Value in Rs. 3. TlNNEVELLY to United Kingdom 2,476,450 361,834 346,703 50657 China 6,980,950 977,333 ,, Penan g, Singapore and 237,700 33,278 3V 00 4494 ,, Indian French Ports . . 45,000 6,300 Total .... 10,134,034 1,418,765 4, MALABAR to United Kingdom 350,980 72,064 Maldive Islands. ...... ... ,, Mauritius and Bourbon. . . 730 6,300 929740 118 1 ,296 191 215 29 09-2 3 570 Total .... 1,316,842 268,283 5. CAN AH A to Arabian Gulf 22,323 2,126 Bombay '..... 15,767,616 1,496,136 Total .... 15,793,938 l,49s,26-2 1852-53 Quantity in Ibs. Value in Rs. 1, FORT ST, GEORGE to United Kingdom 11,184,613 1,140,580 3,251,700 274,841 Penang, Singapore and 344,575 33,982 ,, Bengal 834,423 90,887 Indian French Ports.... 604,823 59,371 Total.... 16,220,134 1,599,661 SSE5 VlZAGAPATAM to United Kingdom 13,577 1,237 , Bengal. . 7,035 640 Total . . . . 20,612 1,877 SOUTH ARGOT to United Kingdom 66,000 9,240 XIX 1 8 52-53. Continued. Quantity in Value in Ibs. Us. 4. TJNNEVELLY to United Kingdom 4,863,007 1,266,87,3 9,774,402 305,300 41,350 45,112 16,299,046 680,821 177,362 1,370,437 42,714 6,209 6,300 , China . . . ., , Penang, Singapore and Malacca , , Bombay , Indian French Ports .... Total ... 2,283,843 o. MALABAR to United Kingdom . ... 448,000 31,944 1,440 1,512 2,352,000 880 55,200 86,839 6,871 237 296 420,167 145 9,010 523,565 ,, America ,, Maldive Islands Mauritius and Bourbon . . Bombay Concan Travancore . Total 2,893,976 6. CANARA to Arabian Gulf- - ... , Bombay 34,272 40,511,917 22,041 40,568,230 3,404 4,241,369 2,112 4,246,885 Total .... ,0*0*4 I Quantity in 1B53-54. lbg> Value in Its. 1. FORT ST GEORGE to United Kingdom 4,009,526 146,100 323,200 '207,300 465,991 17,464 34,457 20,007 Penang, Singapore and Malacca ... ,, Indian French Ports .... Total... 4,^86,126 A3 7,9*9 2. TINNEVELLY to United Kingdom 4,471,850 693,406 2,480.400 59,250 626,059 96,077 347,256 8,295 , China . ... ludian French Ports Total.. . 7,704,906 1,077,687 XX 1 853-54. Continued. Quantity in Ibs. Value in Rs. 3. MALABAR to United Kingdom .... 222,608 3,200 97,360 1,338 1,457,410 2,440 980 1 ,365 63,420 1,850,121 45,778 659 20,023 275 299,477 372 202 146 7,159 374,091 Arabian Gulf Germany . . Maldive Islands .... ... Bombay Concan Cutch ,, Indian French Ports.. . Total 60,428 17,024,259 5,071 1,790,614 Total 17,084,687 1,795,685 1854-55. Quantity in Ibs. Value in Rs. 1,602,505 1,081,000 752,250 30,000 41,100 3,506,855 HBBKM^MUIHKH 6,351,930 1,038,977 1,711,500 985,500 37,500 217,125 473 157,219 113,973 82,861 4,800 4,768 363,621 ......= 877,604 145,457 239,610 137,970 5,250 30,398 67 *, Penang, Singapore and jaeugdi tt Indian French Ports Total.... MM 2. TINNEVELLY to United Kingdom .. Ceylon . China Penang, Singapore and Malacca Bombay Indian French Ports.. .. Total .... 10,343,005 1,436,356 XXI 1854-55. Continued. Quantity in Ibs. Value in Ks. 8. MALABAR to United Kingdom 51,600 10,085 ,, France 32,400 6,661 Maldive Islands. 460 95 Bombay 5,880 1,209 , Concan 2 200 453 ,. Travancore 31,688 5,511 r Total ... 1,24,228 24,017 4 CANARA to Arabian Gulf 25,439 2,287 Ceylon i ... 45,202 3,937 Bombay. . 12,804,666 1,289,207 Total.... 12,875,307 1,295,431 1855-56. Quantity in Ibs. Value in Us. 1 FORT ST. GEORGE to United Kingdom 1,810,600 163,486 )t China 54,000 6,000 Penang, Singapore and Malacca 571,425 54 752 Beneral . 215,900 30084 Total .... 2,651,925 254,322 2, TlNNEVELLY to United Kingdom 2,848,516 398,804 1,200,146 168,126 Penang, Singapore and 480,607 67,284 430 200 60,228 250 35 Total .... 4,959,719 694,477 3 MALABO to United Kingdom ,...... 133,272 26,706 Ceylon. . 46,800 7,700 France 1,800 370 }J Maldive Islands Bombay . . 1,250 352,120 257 72,418 6,960 1,348 Total ... 542,202 108,799 XX11 1855-56. Continued. Quantity in Ibs. Value in Ks. 4. CANARA to Arabian Gulf. . . 1,148 120 ,, Bombay 12,858,356 1,463611 Goa , 114 22 Total .... 12,859,618 1,463,753 1856-57. Quantity in Ibs. Value in Ks. 1. FORT ST. GEORGE to United Kingdom. .. 6,190,844 722,006 ,, France 5,999 720 , Hambur fr 69,000 8,625 Penang, Singapore and Malacca 3,299 563,500 550 78,098 Total.. .. 6,832,642 809,999 2. TlNNEVELLY to United Kingdom 13287,731 1,865,952 } , Ceylon 2,404,200 336,588 China 1,003 200 140,448 ,i Holland 240,000 33,600 Penang, Singapore and 229,500 32 130 Indian French Ports .... Total 127,125 17,291,756 17,797 2,426,515 3. MALABAR i. CANARA to to United Kingdom 118,727 22,842 Arabian Gulf 410 82 Maldive Islands... . 436 74 Bombay 1,065,218 216,3o8 Con can. ... 982 191 Travancore ... 5,920 1,218 Total .... 1,191,693 240,765 Bombay Total 28,671,974 3,745,007 XX111 1857-58. Quantity in Ibs. Value in Us. 1. FORT ST. GEORGE to United Kingdom . . 5,533,100 707 188 , France . . .. 1,655,300 219 439 55,500 6 978 ,, Penang, Singapore and Malacca ., 102,300 16 243 1,887,508 267 MT Total 9,233,708 1,216,993 2. VIZAGAPATAM to Bengal 3. RAJAHMUNDRY to 40,92 3,110 202 800 2fi 734. France Bengal 5,100 18456 888 21 98 Total 2,26,356 29,750 4. MASULIPATAM to Bengal Total 31,500 3,690 5. NELLORE 6. TlNNEVELLY 7. MALABAR to to to Bengal 24,887 2,716 United Kin gdom . . 4,646,846 650,558 Ceylon 1,928 503 269 990 China 651,600 91 224 France 2,586,000 362 040 Hamburg 351,000 49 140 Holland 425,000 59 500 Penang, Singapore and Malacca 48,902 6,846 Indian French Ports.. Travancore 525,390 696,000 73,542 97 440 Total .... 11,859,239 1,660,280 United Kingdom France 98,293 14,194 19,653 2,838 Maldive Islands 164 33 Bombay 147,282 29,438 Travancore. ... , 2,305 461 Total ... 262,237 52,423 XXIV 8. CANARA to United Kingdom 862,226 32,474,317 33,336,543 134,542 5,668,220 5,802,762 ,, Bombay .... Total .... 1858-59. Quantity in Ibs. Value in Us. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. FORT ST. GEORGE to United Kingdom 33,000 5,528,096 57,300 5,618,396 5,340 957,321 9,172 971,833 Bengal ,, Indian French Torts.... Total ... VIZAGAPATAM to Bengal Total... 246 25 HAJ^HMUNDRY to United Kingdom 46,500 50,100 96,600 7,668 7,014 14,682 ., Bengal Total.... TINNEVELLY to United Kingdom . 6,177,550 1,634,800 3,596,400 2,386,500 351,600 221,536 19,250 14,387,636 865,046 228,872 503,496 334,110 49,224 31,022 2,695 2,014,465 Ceylon China France . . Bengal Indian French Ports .... Travancore Total.... MALABAR to United Kingdom 14,105 328 732,690 2,467 5,922 755,512 2,820 66 146,556 494 1,184 151.120 ,, Maldive Islands Bombay. . . ,, Concan Travancore Total XXV 1858-59. Continued. Quantity in Ibs. Value in Us. 6 CANARA to United Kingdom. 161,198 26,068 1,894 308 17,571,060 2,939,401 Total .... 17,734,152 2,965,777 1859-60. Quantity in Ibs, Value in Us. 1. FORT ST. GEORGE to United Kingdom 3,104,368 456,886 ,, France .... 465,600 63,007 Penang, Singapore and Malacca > 92,700 16,108 ,, Bengal 4,136,900 725,056 Indian French Ports 160,800 25,428 Total.. . 7,960,368 1,286,485 mSSmSSSSSSSSSSm 2. VIZAGAPATAM to Bengal Total MBOHMeHMMBaMB_aQK 40,758 7,832 3 GODAVERY to France Total 3 000 360 4. KRTSTNA to Bengal Total 198 670 15 913 MSSwSSSfiS 5. NELLORE to Bengal Total mi \mmmufmttummmmmmm\iM\i 21,075 2,300 6, TINSEVELLY to United Kingdom . . . 13,532,022 1,901,824 Ceylon 907 977 127 834 China 1,120,516 293,034 1,074,444 150,766 Holland 785,509 110,040 Bengal . . . 1,027,532 144,186 Indian French Ports 114,546 16,117 Total 18,562,546 2,743,801 7. MALABAR to United Kingdom 26,450 4,486 Maldive Islands ,, Bombay 164 2,424,141 26 484,710 ,, Travancore 10,857 2,171 Total 2,461,612 491,393 8. CANARA to Bombay Total 33,264,498 5,049,051 XXVI 1860-61. Quantity in Ibs. Value in Rs. 1. FORT ST. GEORGE to United Kingdom ,, China ... 6,065,919 768,800 774,814 103 953 ,, France 983,700 106,812 Penang, Singapore and Malacca ... . .... 36,000 4,800 Bengal 3,190,610 421,577 ?) Chittagong , 8,725 687 Indian French Ports,... 118,500 14,317 Totaj... . : 11,172,254 1,426,960 2, GANJAM to 3. VlZAGAPATAM 4. RAJAHMUNDRY to tt > Bengal Total 18,320 Bengal , Total 108,756 2,290 12,738 United Kingdom 40794 4,079 France 52 512 5 302 Bengal ,..'.., ... 293,398 28 173 Indian French Ports . . . Moulmein 17,400 123 1,808 15 Total .... 404,227 39,377 5. MASULIPATAM to Bengal Total . . . 6. TlNNEVELLY 7. MALABAR 8. GANARA to to to 458,070 36,677 United Kingdom 7,266,585 1 019 650 Ceylon 1,013 738 142 247 China 5 023 415 704 886 Bengal 59,864 8 400 Indian French Ports,... Total .... 26,342 13,389,94 3,696 1,878 879 United Kingdom ..... Maldive Islands Mauritius and Bourbon... 159,984 784 5,922 2 073 439 28,072 105 948 425 295 Total.... 2,240,129 454,420 Bombay , Goa.. Total 51,029,068 1.312 7,439,822 48 51,030,380' 7,439,870 XXV11 APPENDIX V.* No. I. Statement shelving the Increase in the Cultivation of Cotton in the United States. Bales grown in America. Bales consumed in America. 1845- 6 2,100,537 422,597 1846- 7 1,778,651 427,967 1847- 8 2,347,634 531,772 1848- 9 2,728,896 518,039 1849-50 2,096,706 487,769 1850-51 2,355,257 404,108 1851-52 3,015,029 603,029 1852-53 3,262,882 671,009 1853-54 2,930,027 610,571 1854-55 2,847,339 593,584 1855-56 3,527,845 652,739 1856-57 2,939,519 702,138 1857-58 3,113,962 595,562 1858-59 3,851,081 760,218 1859-60 4,825,924 810,343 1860-61 3,866,000 843,740 The shipping September, and the to 31st August. season in America commences from the 1st above tables are made up from 1st September * For the data furnished in this portion, of the appendix, the compiler is indebted to E. A. Robinson, Esq., of Madras. XXV111 Oi CO Oi Oi * tO O-l CM O 1^- Oi o o t^ CO Oi O CD^ Oi" rn" Oi" cT CM" Oi co" cT CO i^ rH CO CD CM" co" rH CO Oi O CO Oi ^^ Oi t~- O rH O 00 ^^ Ci CO 00 -* CO o to ^T '*" co" rn" o" oo" co" CO 00 CM O rH CM CO rH rH 10 OO * 1 CM CM" ^ Oi CD CM !>. oo CSJ CO O rH CM Oi CO to cT co" CO to O O V O CO <* CO rH rH CO ^ CO r-T CM" 1 J>. CO CO CO CO CO J>- rH CM i^ t~- oo CO Oi T^ O^ O to CO xH >o oo CO" O r-T tO r-T t- i rH t- CO CM co rt< i-H CD ^H CO r-T CM" 1 >O rH O O CM CO o Oi rH CM CO CO o CM -^ CO Oi Oi Oi CO to co" c-f i-T r-T co" J-^ cT CO tO CM rH rH CO ! 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S s is- * o -S la s H - 1-3 ^ T3 c5* ^R 0) ^ s Q> ^J J S S 1 ^ If -4-J QQ ,u 11 "S * I'Kj '"" r5 o -*j Jn'S PH S gf 'S ^B c3 trf ,.0 (4 A r O i-Q ~,2 ^ S +5 c ^ ^ s ^H ^ H fl) 1 . 1 ^ cpj s rg | 1 1 1-1 !* ^i 1" S)7| ^1 |5 Q f 1^ 1 ^*S " 1-3 ftq ^ o a< t> o \ 'o ^ PH i i ^ 3 CJ 'S s CO CO 1; r o : || O ; J '. ' I'S 02 I'S K -ft ^ ^ >H ?H fr-l ^ ^ C3 X3 5o r - a is i i] o "o 3 Q o> ij S S -S 1 f ^ 1 S:| ^ o JC5 ^ S o ^^ rd i S 1 *^ ^ N Q ^j O ^^ P^ ^ . OT . r-( ^ ( 03 ^J OS rf O 1 S& tf O 4 1 1 ^ 3 6 00 05 O r ( s XXXVlll CO uaraioadg * XXXIX ^ 60 ~t2 r^T QJ t*>> g 1 0> r ( ^3 c3 00 d | 1 .^pS jl 'U 'M^ Ji ^' s i^ 1 . 3 f-fl dS ll r^T oT -u> 2 s-c o M C8 (d 3 60 93 60 d 1 -I I* *$ . Ill 3-sj fit ^r rt f-J II I "3 ft fine strong fibre 1( rt. (4th Prixe. 'tton harsh, strong ci state for export. d ^ O Q> ^ d O n3 >rH fc?"^ o is 4^ iti fl j -38 r& CJ ! 3- ll 2^ g 6-^0* 3,0 & ^ OJ +* II M O *& CO *H IH ^.-g ccj 1-4 O 1J s ^d o t> ID d a ' 1 o5 & >^ 08 rd OS ~ & 2 Qj ** 2 60 H OS r -H 9 n3 s ^ O 5 ^c? d PQ PUl 8 : 1 : ' : : J \ d o> S I t f 3 r 'S I ; > 5^ ^3 ^ . PQ ^;2 & 0^ 1 ^-g 1 & 'i OJ ^ W ^ d d 3 3* r4 -4-> O ommittee Madura, ous Cotton i I 3 ^ 1 a a * 6 i II ^ S I ! P | to - 00 2 i -^ OJ O -a CM s ^3 4 4 t* S rO S-l ^; |J 1 || , $$ 1 oc ^, rd * id ll 2 + I- ll ?l d ft C) P ^ . rH |i 1j ^ 2 g OB P 5 P d : \ j I cu 1 I 1 .2 P 'fcb q 1 1 g s I 'fcb J \ Exhibitor and Artie Local Committee Chingleput. Cotton Indigenous Local Committee Madura. Indigenous Cotton Local Committee Hydrabac Oomer Khan Hydrabad. Uncleaned Cotton Local Committee Chingleput. Cotton Indigenous *U9UII09dg 55 ^^ "^ oj*. aii .1 tl-s&s ||9I pill ft || 1 be . n ^ O s-i l| ^ ^ P ^ r^ 03 ^ S P, Of 5-S ij & ^ g ! a ? ; ! a 'P . g -i = 1 s S = 5 ^ -S = B a rt* S o 3 o i ! i . >- PJ a S 03 III 'S "^ c3 ^ I ! J .S 1 ^ f | 1 1 1 s l|l 1 | c5 ^ ^ -*^> c3 g ||| S'a *S 1 1 1 1 5 3 'i ^ o "^ S ij T3 < 3 ^3 6 O 3 w 3 J ( O ^7^ \f^ cc ^s^ ^r o r/^ C3 -g.3 02 oo oj as _ g.oEH ^'s .2 o 'S ^ s - ^ . C OQ r r3 QQ ^ c^ *** ef II ? ^i* . "^ 1 c ' O ^ '2 2 be 3. ft .2 --' s Remarks. robably American, soft fine stro indifferently cleaned, fit for e much improved by superior clea very easily separated. Probably American ood Cotton ; but quite uncleaned, curled, very long, fcaple fit for export if cleaned. (Honorable meni American Cot ood Cotton ; fibre, soft and stron cleaned ; fit for export. Seeds ( American Cott( ood, slightly harsh, strong elasl um staple, uncleaned and thus n< (Honorable mention for for eig: OH O GO O O i = S a o o ^ p to rO i b | ~ 5 o OB 3 * i . o PQ i o '" < "2 f ^ n3 03 s b 09 1 JS 3 i B I w 1 g 13 I s i i S -g ^ g 1 P W g 1 11 H w k^ O 1 I 1 1 1 O O ^ a 3 ft | s p- rj i9 4 H" ! ^ 1 95 1 uatmoadg 05 CO CO xliii 13 1 r2 S ^^ 1 ._ l| r2^ o p< flT 'o ! ? OB 1 "S ^) | D a Is * 3 * s TL J o J^ '^ - CM^gJ r cu o a i^ J Q "S -M o3 -*< 1 |8 QQ pl^ gj * Q a "C 4-> S s * r^ ^ 1 I* O j_I ^ s g (0 ^ *H .1 -t> W OQ ^ 01 u M 9 S ^ ^ O ^ J3 il. c I* 1 S)^^ S d pi -S-so IP o 1 |1|S C tri ^^ 2 d a 1 Pg tt .. a !i& ^ Sa |j S p-f*-> U^^d W I'S (H ^J 1 ill' CD r ^ S SSLJ2JS d rQ ^ : > P p "o ~ +3 .2 2 s 1 2 1 P 1 i 1 1 1 6 i i . 1 ! ! 1 d 3 o . 1 p * J O2 O r-rl t-l 5 1 d o I 1 ^o >H '3d o "rl 13 ,5 pi ,3 r3 PH S ^ W ^ M 1 1 s ri 1 SB g I a s a uaraioadg 00 to g BS 1 II, S e3 o J2 Hi O xlv ^ 1 * 1 j> O fH rH O C/> 2 II ol ^3 2 a o< ^ ^o ^ fl"^ O> tJ3 ^*^ -*J S H*- ^G of d i i O rH fcT* 3\ U_J S S cS PH W J2 e ^4 c4 cd J5 P* ^^ **^ 3 o -*-> . -i Q a o 11 60 M 4 - M J^ O ^ -4^ 2 . OS *H 02 S 4 d to 1 s2 If- || ll O - ll Country Cotton. Fibre, soft strong cleaned and scar si 0* li H J 3 o 3 Indifferently clea irsh, strong fibre, tport. X* cc .3 S 1 o S S I 1 c? d - 1 M Iz; O 8 55 o i o * o d o 1 1 , -4-J O ,li 1 ^ I 1 1 o> 5 s M W -3 2 S ^ .In 3 1 B C^ ^ d OQ S S cj ij^i i 1 Hi ^ o o f 1 2 I 1 ! 'S J O "o >-J O 9 a 5 >o CO xlvi | "S it oj a> -! ,d 00 ^ 1 I o QQ | || rO J d H-N d QQ ^ c> r Us ^ .2 o cd aT p^ l CQ 1 02 O ,0 *- ^3 60 |f a 1 |1 I* rf"" i ^ |* 1 -^* o CQ p, 12 ll * O Q g li ^ f5 '^'o r ^j ?-< CQ o O O - g i * ll ^ I 'd Q Q^ cT 3 II |l II g .9 rd 1 O -u ^b |o I'M 'S ** 2 . - o~ -a a I'l s' 3 ! S| 1 S * * d I i o f & jj .2 i o i ' 2 g 3 1 Is s S jl s S Q> I fl .' : : 3 ^O -4J T3 6 2 d rJ o3 ^ r d A 1 2 i ^ 55 -4_> ^^ O I as S s N w HI f S 1 1 1 . cS a .& r^ o a M t ( S S E-2^ 03 d ^ o *S cJ* 5 ^ ^ d ^ r 1 1 1 1 i - i O 02 ^ fH S"* 60 rt - -li .jfr - 1^~ ^ 1 g g CO 0) i!i I % S ^ 60 cj S V. ^ rd CT 1 ^ O *"^ O f^ ^ k4S ^ 3 -3 g> -a ^s 1 1 - t ? | | j-ls i 9 ! oT !- a^ 1| fe ^ f^ II 3.111 tic Crf ^ d 1 s ^5 o 1 S | 1 2" g .2 3 60 ^ !> ^ Q ^ r ^* ^H O o d <^ d rj ^^ r-^ O '8 5 5 1 S 1 ^ 1 55 w 3 3 8 o ^3 ^ ia O T" o ^ ,_i o >0 dg, fSt 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 besides 4 foreign species. Nagpore 3, all were unfit for export. Chingleput 6, including one specimen of thread. Trichinopoly 3, 2 foreign species. Goa 1, (uncleaned specimen) doubtful species. Vizianagram 2, both unfit for export. Madura 10, including 2 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. RaichoreDooab,, 5, 3 of foreign species. Kurnool 3, all indigenous Yizagapatam 1 , of native origin. Total... 5 3 15 foreign 11 doubtful, and 27 indigenous. As regards the nature of the Cottons Exhibited the following may be observed as to the productions of each district on the foregoing list. To contrast the contributions of all districts it would perhaps be better to tabulate the sources, and varieties of supply. By doing this we may gain some insight into two points of importance, firstly as to the proved capabi- lity of certain districts to produce Exotic Cotton, and secondly, as to the nature of if, if so cultivated, and also of the indigenous 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 exportation. 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 the fibre could not be recommended as a pro- fitable export, or to be relied on as such. xlix Table of 15 Supplying Districts, showing the number of Samples Exhibited and the proportion of these Jit and unfit, respectively, for Exportation. PRODUCING DIS- TRICTS. IMPORTED SPE- 1 CIES. | HJ 3 i o DOUBTFUL GENERAL RESULTS. INDI- GE- NOUS. GENERAL RESULTS. Total Results of all Cot- tons of each District. 3 "o H Bourbon. a 5 "p-t t-. fcC W d "cfl i 2 CO American. 1 /. Nankeen. | 1 Sp. not known. 1 4 v * 4 ? i T * thread o ^ T * ar 4 1 o. 3 f P 1 ' 5 T ^ T 1 f T I o f T .0 T o 'T f i f :* 0^ -3 T s fit ] unfit \ o fit } 3 unfit , fit 3 unfit , fit 3 unfit o fit \ 1 unfit J o fit : * unfit , fit 8 unfit o fit ' 2 unfit , fit ' T unfit , fit ^ unfit , fit T unfit , fit 1 unfit o fit 5 unfit o fit T unfit o fit 1 unfit 8 , 6 : ' 3 1 2 10 e ' 2 [ 1 ! h !;::? c ! Chingleput i T -o 1 Goa T o T T * & i 0- T . > z 0" Bellary * * ff a" ^r 1 o 1 Tf 1 i cf ." o o ~2 2 Fit for export, , . . . Unfit for do .... 4 o 1 1 3 11 4 3 6 2 2 5 6 2 c 2 2 > 25 25 ! 25,2'; 18 35 53 Total Exhibit 4 3 4 15 9 11 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 addition 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 7 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 intro- duction of exotic varieties or by hybridizing native Cotton with the pollen of foreign produce.) 2ndly. Partial or total absence of cleaning (not only from seeds but from leaves, sand and dirt either intentionally introduced or accidentally acquired.) 3rdly. 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 now be, when there is extensive demand for all staples. But, unless marked improvement should be effected on the points above indicated, native Cotton can never compete with exotic Cotton care- fully grown even in India. It is worthy of remark that cost of production formed no item of the infor- mation 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 been the decidedly 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 in- digenous. This conclusion was arrived at from a careful examination of the fibre, seeds, &c., of each specimen. li Some of the Cottons exhibited were beautiful articles : and if large quantities of equal quality could be produced, they would command ready and good sale. But, in exhibitions 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 &c. To this and other branches of the subject 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 certain 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 Honorable 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 forgotton that Nankeen Cotton of good quality ,vas exhibited from the districts 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. f 2nd prize ) do do do Honorable W. Morehead Esq. ( equal j do do do Messrs. Fischer and Co. Honorable mention for Nankeen Cotton F. S. Child Esq. do do Cotton Hanamuiit Row do do Narrayadoo do do Nankeen Cotton Local Committee of Madura do do Cotton. R. N. Taylor Esq . do for introducing 3 varieties of exotic Cotton, onlywanting in careful preparation. Local Committee Chingleput, Honorable mention for Cotton thread. HOWARD B. MONTGOMERY, M.D. Reporter on Fibres for the Madras Exhibition of 1S59. FORT ST. GEORGE, ) Madras 1861. j INDEX, KB.- Paras. -The numerals refer not to the Pages but to the No. of the Adonie Talook, 88. Alabama, 107 ; suitableness of the soil to the growth of Cotton, 143 ; the Profes- sor of Chemistry requests information regarding the Cotton plant, 304. Alluvial soil, description of 16,47 ; culti- vated with Cotton, 48 ; result of the second season, 55 ; failure of the Cot- ton crop, 94 ; unsuitable to the growth of American Cotton, 272 ; the compon- ent parts, 355. America,North, climate of, 8 ; planters en- gaged to instruct the natives of India in Cotton cultivation, 35 ; six evils to be guarded against, 72 ; rising tempera- ture during the Cotton growing season, 108 ; manner of using the American saw gin, 130 ; early cultivation of Cot- ton, 143 ; nature of the lands on which Cotton is grown, 145 ; manner of manur- ing, 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 ; advantages pos- sessed by India in the cultivation, 72 ; its superiority to Indian, 83 ; price, note to 84 ; distribution of seed among the Collectors, 105 ; two methods of cul- tivation, 110 ; choice of soil required, 113 ; preparation of the lands for the seed, 114 ; ploughing and hoeing during the growing season, 115 ; distance be- tween the rows, 116 ; treatment of the plant as an annual and rotation of crops, 117 ; itsprofitable cultivation, 118 ; plans for extending the cultivation,^! 19 ; order of Court of Directors for6,000 bales, 121 ; failure of the purchase system, 124 ; early cultivation in America, 143; minimum price, 158 ; reduction of land-tax is not beneficial to its culture, 160 ; unfitness of the churka, 170 ; sale at Coimbatore of some damaged, note to, 177 ; successful culture in Courtallum, 184; unsuccessful culture at Sevacausey, Virdooputty and Aroopoocottah, 185 ; Mr. Finnic' s views on extending the cultivation, 203 ; his matured judgment against its culture, 204 ; Dr. Wight's opinion, 210 ; Mr. Finnic convinced of the folly of cultivat- ing 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' , method to induce the Ryots to extend its cultivation, 258; Mr. Lees' cultivation, 259 ; discussion con- cerning the purchase on Government account from Eyots of Tinnevelly, 260 ; successful cultivation by the Ryots of Coimbatore, 266 ; compared with the cul- ture of Indian. Cotton, 270 ; steady mar- ket required to extend the growth, 278 ; Mr. Lees' partial success in Tinnevelly, 280; Coromandel Coast suitable to the growth, 281; Government purchases ceased, 287 ; method of cultivation in Coimbatore, 360 ; diseases, 362 ; general conclusions, 371,373. American plant, its habits, 95; seasons, 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 ; results of his la- bours, 33. Arbuthnott, Hon.D., gives Brazilian Cot- ton seeds to Dr. Mudge, 299. Arbuthnott and Co.,Messrs., concur in the opinion of Mr. Finnic respecting the use of the gin, 181. Archipelago, 143. Arcot, North, 9 ; soil unfavurable, 300. Arcot, South, 9, 301. Ark wright's machinery, 31. Aroopoocottah, hire of a temporary Gin- house, 172 ; difficulties of conducting the ginning operations, 179 ; unsuccess- ful culture of American Cotton, 185 ; meeting of the Cotton, Brokers, 187 ; Cot- ton plantation established by Mr. Finnic, 203. INDEX. Assessment, general rate of, 15; Dr. Wight's propositions for reducing it, 121 ; Mr. Finnie's opinion on the reduc- tion, 160; Marquis of Tweeddale sug- gests remission on Cotton fields, 218. Atlas Press, 61. Bangalore, Cotton imported from Bellary, 330. Banking, mode of, 5 2. Bayles, Captain, is sent to America to engage Cotton Planters, 35. Bellary, 5,9 ; rate of assessment, note to 15 ; one of the principal Cotton Districts, 17 ; trial of American saw-gins, 34 ; re- commended by Mr. Simpson as suitable to the growth of Cotton, 80 ; proposed operations of the Planters, 86; Mr. Morris dispatched to, 87; his report,88 ; the Collector reports favourably on the Dharwar saw-gin, 252; failure of the experiment of Egyptian, Cotton by the Collector, 298 ; the Collector's detailed report, 330; of soil, 331 ; geology and topography, 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; compared with Bed soil, 42 ; given to Mr. Morris and Mr. Simpson, 48 ; results of the second season,] <>5 ; unsuitableness to American Cotton, 215 ; comparative growth of the Native and American Cotton in Coimbatore, 266 ; other crops grown in, 315,344,355. Board of Revenue, solicit the purchase of Dharwar gins, 252 ; support the sug- gestion of the Collector of Tanj ore, 256 ; approve the successful cultivation of Egyptian 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 Cot- ton Agent is given to Mr. Simpson by the Government, 139; Cotton imported from Coimbatore, 367. Bourbon Cotton, 20; its origin, 21; com- pared with Indian and New Orleans, 22 ; introduced into the Madras Presi- dency, 33; method of cultivation, note to 34 ; opinion of the Ryots, 36 ; growth compared, 56 ; repoxt of the Brokers upon the samples, 60 ; treated as a biennial plant, 64 ; Dr. Wight cul- tivates by irrigation, 242 ; the action of the Cottage gin, 247 ; difficulty in sepa- rating 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 Aroo- poocottah, 173; their testimony that dirty Cotton was more profitable than clean Cotton, 174; their transactions with the Ryots, Chetties and Agents, 175 ; adulteration 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 ex- ported to Vizagapatam, 292. Calicoes, Indian, stoppage of demand, 31; Campbell, Mr. D., purchases the gin- house atCoimbatore, 255 ; dies, ib., 286. Canara, North, description of, 5 ; enjoys theS. 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 the in- fluence of the N. E. Monsoon, 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 ; leading 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 ; con- firm Dr. Wight's valuation of Mr. Fin- nie's samples, 201 ; their unfavorable report upon Cottage saw gin, 247 ; ap- prove the successful cultivation of Egyptian Cotton by Mr. Shubrick, 298. Chayroot, discussion concerning the renters of, 259. Chetties, purchase Cotton from the Ry- ots, 129 ; visit the scene of Mr. Finnie's I N D E X. Ill operation at Aroopoocottah, 173; their transactions with the Ryots, Brokers, and Agents, 175 ; their tricks with Eu- ropean Agents, 178,213. Chingleput, 298. Churka, description of the, 25 ; American saw gin used at Coimbatore in its place, 45 ; Mr.Finnie's opinion upon, 126 ; his first year's proceedings, 141 ; second year's proceedings, 163 ; its unntness for American Cotton, 170 ; Mr. Fin- nie's third year's operations, 187 ; Mr. Finnic pronounces in its favor, 205 ; cost of cleaning Cotton, 208,254. Churka, Mather's, description of, 244. Circars, 4 ; districts of, 9 ; establishment of two Cotton Farms, 34 ; its extent, 290. Cochin, 9,363,368. Coimbatore, 7,9 ; description of the soil, 16 ; one of the principal Cotton Dis- tricts, 17 ; introduction of Bourbon Cotton, 33 ; Establishment of a Cotton Farm, 34 ; removal of the Planters to, 39 ; Dr. Wight's tour through the district, 44 ; mode of sowing Cotton seed, 50 ; experiment made by Mr. Wroughton, 66 ; Madras Government propose the abandonment of CottonFarms, 86 ; Dr. Wight's new Cotton Farms, 90 ; loca- tion of the Farms, 103 ; respective prices of Cotton in the Market, 124 ; Mr. Fin- irie's tour from Courtallumto, 137; trial of cattle labour and manual labour by Dr. Wight, 167 ; sale of some damaged American Cotton, note to 177 ; Mr. Fin- nie refused permission to extend his operations, 209 ; favourable report of theAmericanPlanters, 211 ; Dr.Wight's system of purchase, 213 ; suggestion to relinquish the Experimental Farm by the Marquis of Tweeddale, 218 ; by the Directors, 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 gin house sold to Mr. D. CampbeU, 255 ; Mr. Wrough- ton' s collectorate Farm at, 257 ; the Eyots, successful culture of Ameri- can Cotton, 264; failure of the ex- periment of Egyptian Cotton by the Collector, 298; the Collector's report, 354 ; of soil, 355 ; geology and topo- graphy, 356 ; climate, 357 ; seed, 358 ; character of the Cotton plant, 359 ; method of cultivation, 360 ; manure, 361 ; diseases, 362. Colaba Press, 61. Company. East India, three object* sought by, 3 ; three improvements re- quired 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. 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 ; adulte- ration by the devil's dust system, 177 ; price of the unadulterated, 189 ; difficul- ty of separating the seed, 277; exported to Vizagapatam from Calcutta and Ma- dras, 292 ; to Godavery from Kristna, 293 ; to Tanjore from Madura and Tin- nevelly, 303 ; diseases, 312,325; Cotton exported from Bellary to Madras, Ban- galore, Wallajapet and Coomptah, 330 ; from Kurnool to Madras, 339 ; improve- ments 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 ; prevailing opinions in the Madras Presidency, 36 ; introduction of the Ame- rican system, 44; Dr. Wight's notes, 49-54 ; early preparation and sowing required, 69 ; its cost, 74 ; extension of the improved method, 84 ; five practical suggestions required, 112; proposition for reducing the assessment of lands, 121 ; Mr. Finnie explains to the Ryots the improved method, 136; Mr. Finnie's notes, 143-160 ; capital required, 149; uncertainty of weather, 154 ; expense, 155; method of improvement, 219,220; Dr. Wight's trial by irrigation, 242; Colonel Lawford's, 256 ; Mr. Lees' cul- tivation, 259; general survey in the Madras Presidency, 289 ; mode of, in Trichinopoly, 302 ; in Madura, 310 ; in Tinnevelly, 328 ; in Bellary, 336 ; in Cuddapah, 350 ; in Coimbatore, 360. Cotton Districts, 17; statistics of, 18; large experiment in early sowing throughout, 105. iv INDEX. Cotton manufacturers, Great Britain, their rivalry with Native weavers, 31 ; Mr. Finnic requests permission to consult with them, 186 ; they are ad vised to pur- chase Cotton direct from theRyots,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 5 distribution of the Egyptian among several Collectors, 298 ; preparation be- fore sowing, 308. Courtallum, enjoys both monsoons, 68 ; Mr. Finnie's tour, 133 ; his departure, from, 137 ; Mr. Finnie's planting opera- tions, 161 ; successful culture of Ame- rican Cotton, 184 ; cessation of Mr. Finnie's operations, 203 ; sanction ^of a small model farm, 216. Crop, Cotton, sudden renovation, of 41 ; keeping down extraneous vegetation until the ripening of, 63 ; comparison of those of the four seasons, 65 ; rotation of, 90,148; successive operations re- quired, 150 ; Indian and Georgian com- pared, 271. Cuddapah, 5,9 ; description of the soil, 16; one of the principal Cotton Dis- tricts, 1 7 ; trial of American saw gin, 34 ; the Collector reports favourably on Dharwar saw gin, 252 ; failure of the experiment of Egyptian Cotton by the Collector, 298 ; present state of Cotton cultivation, 342 ; detailed report of Mr. Murray, 343 ; of soil, 344 ; weeds, 345 ; geology and topography, 346 ; climate, 347 ; seed, 348 ; character of the Cotton plant, 349; mode of cultivation, 350 ; manure, 351 ; diseases, 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 culti- vation in Tinnevelly, 327. Devil's dust system, adulteration of Cot- ton, 177. Dharwar, New Orleans Cotton success- fully cultivated, 76 ; success of Mr. Mer- cer, 80 ; Mr. Morris' tour through the district, 88 ; favourable report of the two American planters, 211 ; encouragement 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 Presi- dency, 34 ; engage ten Planters in Ame- rica, 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 Association, 105; order for 6,000 bales of East India Cotton, 120; decide against the reduc- tion of Assessment on lands under Ame- rican Cotton cultivation, 123; object to the use of hand gins, 168; decline to permit Mr. Finnic 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 English spinners, 216; their general opinions upon the experimental culture, 217; their views concerning the experimen- tal farms, 222-224; send some Sea island Cottonseed, 235; their measures con- cerning Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie, 237,239,240; sanction the relief of the chayroot renter from interfering with Mr. Lees cultivation, 259 ; their final despatch onCotton, 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 purchase, 167; change in Mr. Finnie's views, 168; erected at Sevacausey, 207; Mr. Finnie's last opi- nion, 238. Drought, its effects upon Cotton shrub, 42,70,360, Earle, Mr., reports upon'samples of Cot- ton sent to Liverpool, 43,45. Egypt, treatment of the Sea Island Cot- ton as a biennial, 64; irrigation em- ployed, 110. Egyptian Cotton, 20,21 ; successfully cul- tivated on the Coromandel Coast, 279 ; suitability of Ganjam to its growth, successful cultivation of, 291 ; Mr. Shu- brick's, 298; Dr. Mudge's, 299. Ellice, Mr. R., 287. Ellore, 294. Elphinstone, Lord, experiments during his Governorship, 28; resolves upon the removal of the American Planters to Salem and Coimbatore, 38; his sugges- tions adopted by Mr. Fisher, ib; requests INDEX, Dr. Wight to draw up notes upon Ameri- can system of agriculture, 48; succeeded by the Marquis of Tweeddale, 67. Elton, Mr., 237; recommends the cultiva- tion of Cotton by irrigation, 256. Errode, Cotton Farm established, 39. Experimental Farms four, established, 39 ; arrangements regarding two, 46; distri- bution of land amongst them, 47 ; of soil, 48 ;their state in!843-44,61;generalresult of the four seasons, 66; their position in 1845, 86; new ones established in Coim- bat re, 90; their results, 91; contempla- ted establishment of a number of small ones, 125; stage of culture in Tinne- velly, 183 ; general opinions of the Madras Government and Court of Di- rectors, 217; suggestions to relinquish- those in Coimbatore by the Marquis of Tweeddale, 218; by the Directors, 223; Sir H. Pottinger suggests, that the con- tinuance of them would be injurious, 226; withdrawal of the Government Agency, 283 ; their state after Dr. Wight's departure, 288. Finnic, Mr., 28; succeeds Mr. Simpson in the Madras Presidency, 87 ; reports un- favourably upon the Madras district, 89; dispatched to Tinnevelly, ib.; his labours compared with those of Dr. Wight, 126; his first impression of Tin- nevelly, 127; requests permission to act as Agent, 128; recommends the thresh- er before the use of thechurka, 131 ; ob- tains saw gins from Dr .Wight, ib.; three points in his career, 132 ; his tour to Courtallum, 133; allays the fears and suspicions of the Hyots, 135 ; explains the improved method of culture to the Ryots, 136 ; his tour to Coimbatore, 137 ; is permitted to act as Cotfon Agent, 139 ; request the Madras Government to re- move the restriction to ginned Cotton, 140 ; his first year's proceedings with the churka, &c.,141; receives some queries by the Marquis of Tweeddale, 142; his notes on Cotton cultivation in America and India, 143-160; disappointed as an Agent, 162; sells two gins to Zemindars, 164; proposes to erect a gin-house and cattle- driving machinery in Tinne- velly, 166; sanctioned, 167 ; changes his opinion as regards driving machi- nery, 168; explains his inconsistencies to the Madras Government, 169; his general objections to the gins discussed by Dr. Wight, 170; his proposition for erecting a gin-house, 171 ; hires a gin- house at Aroopoocottah, 172; erects three gins and a thresher, 173 ; his notes on the peculiarities of the Cot- ton trade in Tinnevelly, 175-178; his statement of the expenses of ginning, 181; requests permission to proceed to England, 186; recommends the intro- duction of small hand threshers and cheap presses, 190; invents a cheap Cot- ton press, 195; forwards to the Madras Government a sample of Tinnevelly Cotton, 196; his letter to Government note; comparison of his system of pur- chasing cotton with that of Dr. Wight, 200; his proposed extension of planting operations, 263; his matured judgment against the culture of American Cotton or use of the AmericanGin, 204;refused permission to extend his operations to Coimbatore, 209 ; his breach with Dr. Wight, 210; is convinced of the folly of cultivating American Cotton in In- dia, 211; his correspondence about growing and planting American Cot- ton, 213; his proceeding's disapproved by Dr. Wight, 214 ; advises Dr. Wight that all his plans have been ap- proved by the Authorities, 215; is al- lowed to remain in Tinnevelly to instruct the East Indian lads in the use of the gins, 231; his departure from the Madras Presidency, 237 ; his last letter, 248. Fischer, Mr. his Cotton establishment at Salem, 38; adopts the suggestion of Lord Elphinstone, ib; his general views upon Cotton, 39 ; reports upon the un- suitability of the climate of Salem to the growth of Brazilian Cotton, 299; his report upon North Canara, 364. Fischer, and Co. Messrs. Cotton exporters in Salem, 353. Florida, mean falls of rain, 109. Foot Roller, description, 24. Ganjam, 9; Cotton produce inconsidera- * ble but easily increased by money ad- vances, 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 Southern India, 275. Ghauts, Eastern, description of, 5,7. Ghauts, Western, description of, 5 ; heavy rains upon, 7,356. Gin house, its state, 61; its expenses, 56; Mr. Finnie's proposal for its erection INDEX. in Tinnevelly, 166,171, hire of a tem- porary one at Aroopoocottah, 172; erected at Sevacausy, 207 ; allowed for the use of the Ryots, 233; sold to Mr. Campbell at Coimbatore, 255. Gins, a practical person recommended for their exhibition,80 ; their expenses,156; Zemindars purchase of, 164; their unfit- ness for Indian Cotton, 170; difficulties in conducting the operations at Aroo- poocottah, 179; heavy expenses incur- red 181; necessity for improving the construction, 182. Godavery District, 9; Cotton wool ex- ported, 34; Cotton supply large, but insufficient for the wants of the Dis- trict, 293. Government, Madras, orders respecting the Cotton Hand-Book, 2; efforts of, towards the cultivation of Cotton, 34; establishes four Cotton Farms, ib., ap- points Dr. Wight to report on the state of agriculture in Southern India, "., approves the agreements made between Dr. Wight and the Ryots, 44; requestsMr. Wroughton to explain the causes of the success of his Cotton ex- periment, 67; proposes his abandon- ment of Cotton Farms at Coimbatore, 86; requested by Dr. Wight to reduce the assessment on lands under Ameri- can Cotton cultivation, 121; permits Mr. Finnic to act as CottonAgent, 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 Tinne- velly Cotton to Dr. Wight, &c., 197 ; re- fuses permission to Mr. Finnie to extend his operation to Coimbatore, 209 ; Sir Henry Pottinger's arrival, 210 ; approves the suggestion of Dr. Wight to try churkaed Cotton with ginned by the English Spinners, 215 ; general opi- nions upon the experimental culture, 217 ; its decision regarding Dr. Wight reversed by the Directors, 239 ; Cottag'e saw gins received, 246 ; further pur- chase, 252 ; places the Cotton Farm in Coimbatore under a Duffadar, 257 ; re- fuses the purchases applied for by Mr. Bird, 261; condemns Dr. Wight's re- ports, 282 ; withdraws the Agency, OQQ Zoo. Grate, evils arising from, 70. Grecian Archipelago, 143. Gunto or, description of, note to, 9; Cotton exported to the Godavery district, 294. Hand-Book to Cotton cultivation, 1; me- thod pursued in its compilation, 2 ; di- vision of the subject matter, 28; leading points of the several chapters, 29; spe- cialties of the chapters, 30; general result, 369: general conclusions, 370. Hand-gins, 253; cost of labour, 254. Hardy, Mr. Thomas, his report upon Cot- ton trade atTuticorin, 328. Hathaway, Mr., his report upon Madura, 305-312. Haw ley, Mr., comes to Madras, 35 ; sent to Tinnevelly, 37; removed to Coimba- tore, 39; transferred to Bombay, 46. Heath, Mr., his successful Cotton culti- vation at Vizagapatam, 34. Hoeing, Dr. Wight's remarks, 51 ; man- ner of, 52 ; practical suggestion upon it, 115; season for adopting it, 152. Honore, 365. Hughes, Captain, his efforts at Tinne- velly, 33; three planters sent under his superinten dance, 37 ; succeeds by Dr. Wight, 41; good crop of Ameri- can Cotton obtained by him, 211. Hughes' Tinnevelly Cotton, 33,372 ; me- thod of cultivating Bourbon Cotton 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 Bour- bon variety as a biennial, 64; advan- tages in the cultivation of American Cotton, 72; remunerative demand re- quired, 73; characteristics of the sea- sons^; its climate not too hot, but too cold, 106; diminishing temperature dur- ing the Cotton growing seasons, 108 ; two methods of cultivating American Cotton, 110; manner of cleaning the Cotton, 130; present cultivation of Cot- ton, 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 opi- nion upon the growth of American Cotton, 210; SirH. Pottinger's experi- ence in the various parts of 228 ; Coim- batore Ryots opinion upon the soil and climate, 263 ; Dr. Wight refutes the theory that the climate and soil are un- INDEX. Vll fitted for American Cotton, 269 ; its crops compared with those of Missis- sippi, 271 ; Dr. Wight's opinion upon the climate of the South, 274. Indian Cotton, soil adapted to it, 16 ; que- ries with reference to it, 18 ; improve- ments required in it, 19 ; its varieties, 20 ; its character, 21 ; compared with Bourbon and New Orleans Cottons, 22 ; efforts to extend and improve, 32 ; pre- vailing 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 extend- ing its cultivation, 119 ; Directors order for 6,000 bales, 120 ; price at which Dr. Wight purchased, 124; Mr. Finnie's opinion upon it, 126; unfitness of the gin, 170 ; systematic adulteration, 175 ; pro- cess of cleaning, 206 ; unsuited to the American gin, 210; Marquis of Tweed- dale's plan for improveing the culture, 219,220 , Dr. Wight cultivates by irri- gation, 242 ; failure of the crop in Coim- batore, 266 ; its culture compared with the American, 270 ; unsuitableness of Madras, 279; of North Arcot, 300; general conclusions, 372,374 ; poli- tical and commercial prospects, 375. Irrigation, required in cultivating Ame- rican Cotton, 110; experiments by it, 111; Dr. Wight's cultivation of Ameri- can Cotton, 242 ; Colonel Lawford's cultivation in Tanjore, 256. Jaffna, new 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 expe- rimental culture, 365. Krishna District, 9 ; Cotton exported to Godavery, 293; Mr. Thornhill's report, 294. Krishna, River, 4,290. Kunkur, 77,113,319. Kurnool, 9; failure of the experiment of Egyptian Cotton by the Collector, 298 ; extent of land under Cotton cultiva- tion, 339. Kutch, 228. Labour, cattle, 167. Labour, manual, loss incurred by the employment, 134 ; American and Indian compared, 159 ; cost of, 167,310,323,336. Lawford, Colonel, tries Cotton cultivation by irrigation in Tanjore, 111,256,371. Lees, Mr. Arthur, 259. Lees, Mr. David, his Cotton cultivation in Tinnevelly, 259 ; his partial success, 280,371. London, the value of Dr. Mudge's Cotton, 299. Longshaws, Messrs., their efforts at Tri- chendoor, 281. Madras, 9 ; distribution of foreign Cotton seeds, 32 ; arrival of an American saw gin, 45 ; Mr. Finnie despatched to report upon the district, 87; his unfavour- able report, 89 ; the temperature com- pared with that of Vera Cruz, Mobile and Natchez, 107 ; mean falls of rain, 109; establishments of Agents in Tin- nevelly 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 Cot- tons, 297/299 ; Cotton imported from Bellary, 330 ; from Kurnool, 339. Madras Presidency, its Boundaries, 4 ; physical features, 5 ; modifications of the tropical heat, 6 ; climate, 8 ; Reve- nue 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 superintendence retained, 240; survey of the present Cotton cultiva- tion, 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 Ame- rican Cotton obtained by Mr. Hughes, 211 ; small hand threshers sanctioned, 225 ; Cotton exported to Tanjore, 303 ; detailed report of the Collector, 304 ; 'of the soil, 305 ; geology and topogra- phy, 306 ; climate, 307 ; Cotton seed, 308 ; character of the Cotton plant, 309 ; ir ode of cultivation, 310 ; of ma- nure, 311 ; of disease among Cotton plants, 312. Malabar, description, 5 ; enjoys the S. W. monsoon, 7,9,365. Malabar Coast, description, 4 ; distance from the Western Ghauts, 5 ; Cotton sowing time, 97 ; physical features, 363. Malacca, Straits of, 22. , viii INDEX. Mallett, Dr., forwards certain queries connected with Indian Cotton to the Directors, 304. Malta, Cotton seeds sent, 32. Maltby, Mr., his tour with Mr. Finnie through Pullicarny, 89. Manchester Commercial Association, their suggestion respecting early sowing, 92,105 ; order for 6,000 bales of Ame- rican Cotton, 121 ; object to the use of hand-gins, 168 ; their valuation of Mr. Pinnie's Cotton, 202 ; their unfounded complaint, 234 ; Cottage saw-gins con- structed under their direction, 246 ; urge Mr. Lees to try American Cotton in Southern India, 259. Mangostein, 228. Manney, river, 256. Manure, question about it, 71 ; its compo- sition, 146,311,324,337,351,364. Masulipatam, description e, note to 9 ; esta- blishment of a Cotton Farm, 34. Mauritius, Bourbon Cotton brought, 22 ; varieties of Cotton seeds obtained, 32. Mayne, Mr., Dawson, his detailed report upon Tinnevelly, 314-321. McDonnell, Mr., reports on the mode of cultivation in Trichinopoly, 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 production of Cotton,339 Mississippi, Cotton growing season, 106 ; commencement of the Cotton cultiva- tion, 107 ; crops compared with those of India, 271 Mobile, temperature, 107 Model Fields, Marquis of Tweeddale sug- gest the establishment, 224 Monsoon, North-east, its duration, 7; reported failure of the crop in conse- quence of it, 40 ; its effects upon Cot- ton shrub, 42 ; certain tracts of land enjoying it, 68 ; seasons on the Coro- mandel Coast, 98 ; Cotton cultivation, 100 ; its influence upon American plant, 266; its duration in Coimbatore, 275 ; diseases during its prevalence, 312, 338. Monsoon, South- West, its duration, 7; certain tracts of land enjoying it, 68 ; season n the Malabar Coast, 101 ; Cot- ton 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 Ame- rican plants, 54 ; exchanges Cotton Farm with Mr. Sherman, note to 65 ; dispatched to Bellary, 87; his report upon it, 88 ; his death, id. Mudge, Dr., experimental culture of Bra- zilian Cotton 299. Mundgood, Mr. Simpson, report, 78, 365. Murray, Mr., his report on Cuddapah, 343, 352. Muslins, Indian, stoppage of demand, 3. Mysore, 9 ; elevation above the sea, 329 ; mode of the Cotton trade, 365. Nadum Cotton inferior sort of Indian Cotton, 20. Nagpore, 292. Nankin, 288. Natchez, Captain Bayles visit there, 35 ; its temperature, 107. Native Cotton see Indian Cotton. Negapatam, method to increase the culti- vation of Cotton, 292. Negroes, employed in cleaning Cotton, 143 ; picking the Cotton, 153. Neilgherries, 299. Nellgre, 9 ; a grazing district, 296. Nelson, Mr., reports upon the working of the Cottage saw-gin. Newill, Mr., 302. New Orleans, a Cotton cleaner sent to Madras Presidency from, 34. New Orleans Cotton, 20, 21 ; compared with Indian and Bourbon, 22; opinion of Mr. Morris regarding it, 40 ; manner of sowing, 49 ; report of the Brokers upon the samples, 59 ; its trial as a biennial plant, 64 ; successfully culti- vated in Dharwar, 76 ; approval of Dr. Wight's sample, 92; high tempera- ture required, 111 ; treatment of the plant as an annual, 117; insignificance of the cultivation of the Ryots, 124 ; Mr. Finnie's opinion about its growth in Tinnevelly, 127; his object in cultivating it, 132; extent 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 ofiers high prices, 225 ; opinion of the Manchester Association, 234 ; Dr. Wight cultivates by irrigation, 242; the action of the Cottage gin, 247; INDEX. objections of the spinners, 276 ; success- fully cultivated on the Coromandel Coast, 279; the average height of the plant in Coimbatore, 359. Nizam, dominions of the, 4 ; Cotton ex- ported 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 235. Oliphant, Mr. J., 287. Oodoomulcottah, a Cotton Farm establish- ed, 46 ; description of the soil, 65. Oopum see Indian Cotton. Ootacamund, Mr. Wroughton's experi- ment, 66 ; enjoys both monsoons, 68 ; amount of Cotton produced by Mr. Wroughton, 72 ; cost of cultivation, 74, Overseers see Planters. Pattikondu, talook of, 340 . Paulghautcherry Pass, enjoys both mon- soons, 68, 137,356. Paupugny river, 346. Pelly, Mr., reports favourably upon Dhar- war saw-gin, 252,253; his report upon the district of Bellary, 331-338. Pennar river, 346. People's Park, failure of the Brazilian Cotton, 299 ; successful culture of the Egyptian and Bourbon variety, ib. Pernambuco, 20 ; successful culture on the Coromandel Coast, 279 ; experimen- tal culture by Dr. Mudge, 299. Petit Gulph, Dr. Wight cultivates by irri- gation, 242. Petrie, Mr., sent to superintend the repairs of the gins, 61 ; recommends to Mr. Fin- nic 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 Coimba- tore, 90; report upon the partial suita- bility of Indian climate to American Cotton, 211. Planting, 151; Mr. Finnie's operations, 184 ; season for American varieties in Madras, 299 ; for Indian Cotton in Ma- dura, 310; in Tinnevelly, 323 , in Cud- dapah, 347. 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 neu- tral position between Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie, 212; insists upon his reso- lutions concerning the Cotton Farms, 236; condemns Dr. Wight's report, 282; recommends the withdrawal of the Go- vernment Agency, 283. Press, Hand, 61 ; expenses, 156 ; recom- mended 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. Punjab, land, description of, note to 235. Puttahdars see Ryots. Rain, its effects upon Cotton shrub, 42; mean falls in the Carnatic, 109; in Ma- dura, 307; in Tinnevelly, 320; in Bel- lary, note to 333 ; in Coimbatore, 357. Raipore, 292. Rajahmundry, description, note to 9; Cot- ton exported to Vizagapatam, 292. Reade, Mr., Charles, reports on the ex- tent of Cotton cultivation, in Chingle- put, 297. Red Cotton, 294. Red Loam see Red Soil. Regur see Red Soil. Red Soil, description, 16 ; compared with Black SoH, 42 ; given to Dr. Wight, 48 ; result of the second season upon, 55 ; suitable to American Cotton, 215 ; comparative growth of Indian and American 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 ; assistance to be given to the Ryots by the Establish- ment, 230. Revenue Board See Board of Revenue. Ridging, 49 ; its manner, 52 ; question about it, 54, 360. Royle, Dr., queries on Indian Cotton, 18; his discription of the Cotton culture, 23 ; his opinion on the climate of Dhar- war and Coimbatore, 211. Rundall, Mr., draws a memorial upon Cotton cultivation, 34. INDEX. Ryots, 10; mode of their cultivation, 23; their objection to cultivate Bourbon Cotton, 36 ; receive instruction fivm American Planters, 37 ; their agreements with Dr. "Wight, 44 ; season in which they sow seeds, 69 ; remunerative de- mand required for the growth of Cotton, 73 ; their opinion about the Cotton Es- tablishments, 79 ; extension of the im- proved 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 ; advantages arising from an Agent, 129 ; their unwillingness to adopt the saw gin, 130 ; their co-operation essential, 134 ; Mr. Finnie's first intercourse with them, 135, 136 ; reduction of as- sessment not beneficial, 160 ; visit the scene of Mr. Finnie's operations at Aroopoocottah, 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 Tweeddale sug- festion to establish some model fields ; 19; manufacturers, should purchase di- rectly from them 221; assistance allowed from theRe venue establishment,230; free use of the Gin House, 233; resume all the lands that Dr. Wight had contract- ed, 241 ; prices of Cottage saw- gins to, 250 ; Mr. Thomas' method to induce them to cultivate American Cotton, 158 ; discussion respecting the purchase of American Cotton, 260 ; cultivate Ame- rican Cotton in Coimbatore, 264 ; their previous reluctance to cultivate Ameri- can Cotton connected with the exist- ence of Cotton Farms, 265 ; their suc- cessful culture of American Cotton, 266; adopt Dr. Wight's practice of cultiva- tion, 268 ; their groundless suspicions an injury to the Farms, 285 ; their me- thod of preparing the Cottonseed, 308. Ryotwary system, 13 ; its advantages, 14. Salem, 9 ; introduction of Bourbon Cot- ton, 33 ; arrival of the Planters, 38 ; failure of the culture of Brazilian Cot- ton 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 proceedings, 141; second year's proceedings, 163 ; its unntness for Indian Cotton, 170; erection of three at Aroopoocottah, 173 ; necessity for im- proving the construction, 182; Mr. Finnie's third years operations, 187 ; cost of cleaning Cotton, 188 ; Mr. Fin- nie's matured judgment against its use, 204; Dr. Wight's opinion, 210; Mr. Finnie's last opinon, 238. Saw-gins, Dharwar, favourable reports, 252 ; its working compared, 253. Saw-gin, Manchester Cottage, note to 26 ; description, 245 ; its trial upon various Cottons, 247 ; expenses, 248 ; Dr. Wight's favourable 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 Island Cotton, 20 / places where it is cultivated, 21; opinion of Mr. Morris, 40; manner of sowing, 49; treated as a biennial plant in Egypt, 64; Mr. Fin- nie's opinion about its growth inTinne- velly, 127 ; Directors send some seed, 235; Dr. Wight cultivates by irrigation, 242 ; successful cultivation on the Co- romandel Coast, 279. Sedashegur river, 365. Senna, Mr. Hughes', 33. Sevacausey, Mr. Finnie's planting oper- ations failed, 161; erection of a cattle- driving machinery, 167; sanction for the erection of a gin-house, 171 ; unsuc- cessful culture of American Cotton, 185; Cotton plantation established by Mr. Finnic, 203 ; gin-house and driving- machinery erected, 207 ; Mr. Finnie's opinion concerning the gins, 238. Sherman, Mr. Henry, succeeds Mr. Haw- ley, 46 ; exchanges Cotton Farm with Mr. Morris, note to 65 ; Sir H. Pottin- ger directs him to be placed at the dis- posal of the Collector of Coimbatore, 232. Shevel Soil see Red Soil. Shubrick, Mr., his successful cultivation of the Egyptian varieties, 298. Silver, Mr., his report upon Cotton culti- vation in Tinnevelly, 326 ; his replies to the queries of Sir W. Denison, 327. Simpson, Mr., comes to Madras, 35 ; sent to Tinnevelly, 37 ; removed to Coimba- tore, 39 ; his report on the districts of North Canara, 76 ; his opinion in the failure of the Coimbatore farms to ex- tend the culture of American Cotton, INDEX, XI 79 ; recommends the appointment of a practical person to distribute seeds and exhibit gins, 80 ; his suggestions ap- proved, 81 ;his transfer to Bombay, ib.; his opinion about Kunkur, note to 113 ; is permitted to act as Cotton Agent by the Bombay Government, 139. Sirsee, Mr. Simpson proceeds to, 76. Soondah, Mr. Simpson ordered to report on the soil, 76 ; his report, 77. Soopah, Mr. Simpson ordered to report on the soil, 76 ; his report, 78. South American Cotton, its varieties, 20. Sowing, 40; American system, 49, 50; season, 69,92; Mr. Lees' error as re- gards it, 280; method adopted in Madura, 310; in Tinnevelly, 323; in Bellary, 336; in Cuddapah, 349. Spinners, trial of the Churkaed Cotton 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 t in the plantation 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, 303. Taylor, Captain, refutes the objection raised against Bourbon Cotton, note to 36. Taylor, Rev. W., note to 299. Tennessee, 143. Tetley, Mr , reports upon samples of Cotton, 43, 45. Thomas, Mr. E. B., supports the recom- mendation of Mr. Finnic' s to Hand- threshers and Presses, 191 ; believes that Cotton was not adulterated by de- sign, 192 ; recommends the cultivation of New Orleans Cotton, 193; delivered up all lands under cultivation to the Eyots, 241 ; his method to induce the Ryots to cultivate American Cotton, 258 ; his report upon Coimbatore, 354- 362. Thornhill, Mr., describes the stage of the Cotton experiment in Kristna, 294. Thresher, its description, 27 ; Mr. Finnic recommends its use, 131 ; his first year's proceedings with it, 141 ; second year's proceedings, 163 ; erection of one at Aroopoocottah, 173 ; Mr. Finnie's third year's operations, 187 > cost of cleaning Cotton, 188. Thresher, Hand, recommended by Mr. Finnic, 190; sanctioned, 191 ; Sir Henry Pottinger sanctions the establishment, 225. Tinnevelly, 9 ; discription of the soil, 16 ; one of the principal Cotton districts, 17 ; introduction of Bourbon Cotton, 33 ; trial of American saw-gin, 34 ; es- tablishment of a Cotton Farm, ib.; three American Planters located, 37; Planters removed, 38 ; proposed operations of the Planters, 86 ; Mr. Finnie, dispatched, 89; his first impressions of it, 127; amount of shipment of Cotton every year, 129; Madras Merchants 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 ex- periments, 183 ; meeting of the Cotton Brokers, 181 ; no market or Agency required, 193 ; scarcity of timber, 207 ; good crops of American Cotton obtain- ed by Mr. Hughes, 211; Hand threshers are allowed, 225 ; Mr. Finnie's de- parture, 237 ; Mr. Lees' cultivation, 259 ; discussion concerning the pur- chase of American Cotton from the Ryots, 260 ; Mr. Lees' partial success, 280 ; failure of the experiment of Egyp- tion Cotton by the Collector, 298 ; Cot- ton exported to Tanjore, 303; detailed report from Mr. Mayne, 313 ; of soil, 314-318; geology and topography, 319 ; climate, 320 ; seed, 321 ; character 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. Longshaws, 281. Trichinopoly, 9; quantity of Cotton and mode of cultivation, 302. Tuddey river, 365. Turner, Mr., Aspinall, reports the opi- nions of the Manchester Association regarding Mr. Finnie's Cotton, 202. Tuticorin, existence of Agency system, 193; consumption of good Cotton, 205 ; Jaffna driving machinery bought, 207 ; the Agents report that good Cotton had been brought in abundance, 215 ; the principal sea port, 313, 327. Tweeddale, Marquis of, modification of Xll INDEX. the Cotton experiment, 28; succeeds Lord Elphinstone, 67; approves the suggestions of Mr. Simpson, 81 ; sub- mits some queries to Dr. Wight, 82 ; is in favour of the reduction of assessment of lands under American Cotton culti- vation, 122 ; submits some queries to Mr. Finnic, 142 ; recommends Mr. Fin- nie's visiting to England, 186; is suc- ceeded by Sir Henry Pottinger, 203, 210 ; his views upon the experimental farms, 218-221 ; purposes to establish some model fields, 224. United States, 92. Upland Cotton, 20,127,273. Veppel soil, description, 316. Vera Cruz, temperature of, 107. Village Joint Rent System, 10 ; evils aris- ing from it, 14 ; its duration, 15. Verdooputty, unsuccessful culture of American Cotton, 185. Virginia, first trial of the growth of Cot- ton, 143. Vizagapatam, 9 ; rate of assessment, note to 15 ; establishment of a Cotton Farm, 34 ; insufficiency of the Cotton, 292 ; Cotton yarn imported from Calcutta, ib. Wallajapet, Cotton imported from Bellary, 330. Weavers, Native, their rivalry with Cot- ton 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 Cudda- pah, 242. Weeds, manner of removing, 52,53 ; found in Cuddapah, 345. West Indian Cotton see Bourbon Cotton. White Cotton, 331. Whitney's saw-gin, note to, 26 ; its work- ing, 31. Wight, Dr., 28 ; appointed to report on the state of agriculture in South India, 34 ; succeeds Capt. Hughes, 41 ; his plan of operations, 44 ; his tour through Coimbatore District, ib % ; draws up notes upon American system of culture, 48 ; his remarks upon hoeing, 51 ; upon ploughing and ridging, 54 ; upon the growth of several plants, 56 ; his Cot- ton 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 ; de- termines to remove his farms, 66 ; his opinion upon the localities bordering Dharwar, 76 ; his answers to the queries of the Marquis of Tweeddale, 82; his new Cotton Farms in Coimbatore, 90 ; his reply to the suggestion of the Man- chester Association, 93 ; his notes on the adaptation of the American plant to the Indian seasons, 95 118 ; his plan for extending American culture among the Ryots, 119; applies for the re- duction of Assessment on lands under American Cotton cultivation, 121 ; pro- poses 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 com- pleting the Directors order, 138; sup- ports Mr. Finnie in the purchase of cattle driving machinery, 167 ; recom- mends to Mr. Finnie the Ceylon Ma- chinery, 169 ; his report on Mr. Finnie's sample, 198; his system of purchase compared with that of Mr. Finnie, 200; breach between him and Mr. Finnie, 210; recommends the removal of Mr. Finnie, 211 ; approves of Mr. Finnie's proceedings, 214; his explanations to Mr. Finnie, 216 ; ascribes the failure in Coimbatore to the want of humidity, 229; the East Indian lads under him ordered to go to Tinnevelly, 231 ; Sir H. Pottinger directs him to break up his establishment in Coimbatore, 232 ; visits Madras, 235 ; applies to be permitted to sow and gather one crop more, 236 ; reversal of the order of Sir H. Pottinger, by the Directors re- specting him, 237, 239, 240 ; cultivates American Cotton by irrigation, 242 ; postponement of his report, 243; reports favorably upon the Cottage saw-gin, 249, compares the working of Dharwar gin, Cottage gin, and hand gin, 253 ; forwards the applica'ion of Mr. Bird to Government, 260 ; completion of his final report, 262 ; his final report, 263, 281 ; his report condemned by the Mad- ras Government, 282 ; his protest against the conclusions of the Madras Government, 284 ; his retirement 287. Wool, Cotton, growing demand, 31 ; sta- tistics of the importation, ib. ; supplies from the Godavery District, 34 ; amount produced by Dr. Wight, 63 ; comparative produce, 83; difficulty of INDEX. Xlll the Natives in procuring, 277 ; its weight, in Madura, 310 ; in Tinnevelly, 323;inBeUary, 336. Wroughton, Mr. his experiment atCoim- batore, and Ootacamund, 66 ; causes of the success of the Cotton experiment, 67 ; cost of cultivation incurred, 74 ; his success upon sandy brown loams, 90 ; informs Dr. Wight of the offered remis- sion of reduction in 1833, 121 ; goes to Europe, 257. Zemindars, account of, 12 ; purchase two gins, 164. Zemindary lands, 15. Zemin dary system, 12; objections against it, 12 ; evils arising from it, 14. FINIS. \ UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY BERKELEY Return to desk from which borrowed. This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 1 6May'5SWL IN PORTAL APR 22 1953 JUN 6 1953 IN PORTAL JUN 5 1953 51953 UU 3T953 OCT1 01955LU LD 21-100m-7,'52(A2528sl6)476 LITERARY ANNOUNCEMENT, continued. x. Systems of Education, A Lecture by Sir WILLIAM DENISON, K.C.B. Price 8 Annas, CASH. XL A volume of Sermons, BY The Rev. E. E. JENKINS. XII, A Portable Pocket Edition of the Penal and Criminal Code? Size 5 X 4 inches, with Copious / bher singly or together. Further notices will appear from t? / ; ; each of the Works, as they near RECENT!/ ISKEB. The Indian Penal Code, v^ , 3 8 The Criminal Procedu" 3 8 The Civil Proceduj/ ition of Suits 4 - ^ .e Olden Time, 3 vols. n> ; S~*/ &y/- 2-8 f .iffin's Aide-Camp, Edited by a Professional matt of twenty-eight Years' standing in this Country ; with copious NOTES and RECIPES adapted for the treatment and Purchase of Horses in India with wood-cuts, 8vo. cloth. Price 9 Rupees a copy. ' ^ The Law of Injunctions, and the appointment of Receivers Under the Code of Civil Procedure. BY CHARLES COLLETT, M. c. s. Price