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DIFFERENT STAPLES OF COTTON

INDIAN COTTON VIZ. 1 BENGAL Gossypium Indiarn

2 MADRAS

3 COMMON SURATS

4 PRIME SURATS

N. AMERICAN VIZ. 5 WEST INDIES, UPLANDS

Gossypuar DEMERARA, BERBICE

Barbadatsy Rn Sues

6 MOBILE & ALABAMA

7 NEW ORLEANS

S. AMERICAN Viz. 8 BAHIA & MACEIO

Gossypuar Porrvwariouar 9 MARANHAM & PARA 0 PERNAMBUCO, ARACALI, AND CEARA TL PERUVIAN N. AMERICAN VIZ. EGYPTIAN same ste as Gossypuan ; Barbadence Ff 4 [long staple)

12 SEA ISLAND

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 /

1°FALBOYS WHEELER,

; AUTHOR OF AN “ANALYSIS AND SUMMARY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT,” AN “ ANALYSIS AND SUMMARY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT,” ETC.

LONDON: " VIRTUE BROTHERS AND CO., 1, AMEN CORNER, PATERNOSTER ROW. 1863.

JOHN CHILDS AND SON, PRINTERS.

ia

PREFACE,

In submitting the present Hand-book to the public, but few observations are necessary. The compiler has simply reduced a mass of matter to a convenient form for perusal and reference. The necessity for such a condensation will

he trusts, prove a sufficient apology to the many distinguished

writers, whose minutes, reports, and correspondence have

been thus abridged and arranged in a continuous narrative. In the last Chapter, however, which exhibits the present condition of the Cotton culture in the Madras Presidency, it has been deemed expedient to present the reader with full extracts from the letters of the Collectors of the several Dis- tricts, rather than with abstracts; as the subject matter ap-

‘pears to be of greater importance, inasmuch as it refers to

| the present condition and prospects of the country.

J.T. W.

MADRAS, 11th March, 1862.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER LI,

GENERAL VIEW OF THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY, AND OF THE IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRED IN INDIAN COTTON.

-Hand-Book to the Cotton Cultivation of each Presidency ordered by the Government of India, page 2; Method pursued in drawing upthe present Hand-Book to the Madras Presidency, 2; Three objects sought by the Hast India Company with reference to Cotton, 4; Boundaries of the Madras Presidency, 4; Physical features of the country, 4; Three modifications of the tropical heat: viz. the table-land, the sea, and the two monsoons, 5; North-east mon- soon, October to April: South-west monsoon, May to Septem- ber, 5; Climate of the Madras Presidency and Cotton States of | North America compared: reversal of Seasons, 6; Revenue Di- visions of the Madras Presidency, 6; Revenue systems of the Madras Presidency: based upon the Village Communities, 7; Three Revenue systems: Ist, Village joint-rent system, 8; 2nd, — The Zemindary system, 9; 3rd, The Ryotwary system, 9; Ad- — vantages of the Ryotwary tenure over the Zemindary tenure and the Village joint-rent system, 10; Revenue division of lands; Government, Zemindary, and Inam, 10; Nature and extent of the Cotton soil of India, 11; Four great Cotton Districts: Bellary and Cuddapah to the North; Coimbatore and Tinnevelly to the South, 12; Statistics of the Cotton-growing Districts, 12; Re- view of the three improvements required in the Indian Cotton, 13 ; Ast, Better variety of Cotton : general classification of Indian and American Cotton, 13; Six leading varieties of Cotton, viz. Indian, Bourbon, New Orleans, Pernambuco, Egyptian, and Sea Island, 14; Indian, Bourbon, and New Orleans Cotton compared, 15; 2nd, Better system of Cultivation: Indian and American agriculture compared, 16; 3rd, Better method of separating and cleaning the Cotton: (1) The Foot Roller, 16; (2) The Native Churka, 17; (3) The American Saw Gin, 17; (4) The Thresher, 18; Division of the subject matter of the present Hand-Book, 19 ; Twelve years of Cotton Experiments, divisible into three periods of four years each, 20; Specialities of the several Chapters, 21.

CONTENTS,

CHAPTER II.

FOUR YEARS OF EXPERIMENTAL CULTURE UNDER DR. WIGIIT AND THE AMERICAN PLANTERS, 1841 To 1845.

Stoppage of demand for Indian muslins and calicoes, but growing de- mand for Cotton wool, 23; Harly efforts to extend and improve Indian Cotton, 24; Introduction of Bourbon Cotton imto the Madras Presidency, 24; Mr. Metcalfe, an American Cotton cleaner, sent to the Presidency, 1818 :. efforts of the Madras Government, 1819-1836, 25; Ten American Planters sent to India, 1840, 27 ; Prevailing opinions upon Cotton cultivation m the Madras Presi- dency, 27; Three Planters locatedin Tinnevelly, October, 1840, 28 ; Contemplated removal of the Planters to the neighbourhood of Mr. Fischer’s establishment at Salem, 29; First Season, 1841-42: commenced under Captain Hughes, 30; Reported failure in con- sequence of a heavy monsoon, January, 1842, 31; Sudden renova- tion of the crop: Dr. Wight succeeds Captain Hughes, 31; Rela- tive effects of the Monsoon, the Drought, and the Rain upon the Cotton shrub: difference between the Red and Black soils, 32; Results of the Season of 1841-42, 33; Dr. Wight’s plan of opera- tions : introduction of American Culture more important than that of American Cotton, 33; Early trials of the American saw gin, 34; Second Season, 1842-43: arrangement of the four Experimental Farms, 34; Three varieties of land, viz. Black, Red, and Allu- vial, 35; Distribution of soil amongst the four Farms: method of cultivation, 35. |

DR. WIGHT’S NOTES.

Drill husbandry : land ploughed and cast in ridges, eight or ten inches high, at intervals of about five feet, 36; Sowing in a furrow of about two inches deep along the centre of each ridge, 37; Scrap- ing out of superfluous plants and weeds, 37; Banking up the ridges, first with the plough and afterwards with the hoe, 37 ; Keeping down extraneous vegetation until the crop ripens, 37; Native ploughs and American ploughs compared: question of

whether American Cotton would thrive without ridging, 38.

_ Results of the second season on the Black, Red, and Alluvial soils, 1842-43, 38; Comparison of the growth of the Indian, New Or- leans, and Bourbon Cotton, 39; Reports of English Brokers on _ Dr. Wight’s Cotton, 40; Oopum (Indian) Cotton, 40; New Or- | leans, 40; Bourbon, 40; Third season, 1843-44: state of the Cot- | ee Farms, Gins, and Gin-house, 40; Unfavourable results: their causes, 41 ; Comparison of the crops of the third season with those of the second, 41; Fourth season, 1844-45: experiment of treat

CONTENTS. ©

ing the plant as a biennial, 42 ; Comparative produce of the four seasons, 42; General result of the four seasons of the experimental Farms: necessity for a rotation of crops, 44; Causes of the suc- cess of Mr. Wroughton’s Cotton experiment, 44; Ist, Influence of both monsoons, 45; 2nd, Early preparation and sowing, 45; Drought and Grate the only dangers to be avoided, 46; Question of manure, 46; Three advantages possessed by India over America in the cultivation of American Cotton, 46; Remunerative demand alone required in India, 47; Cost of cultivation, 47; Further pro- ceedings of the fourth season, 1844-45, 48 ; Mr. Simpson’s report on the districts of North Canara, bordering on Dharwar, 49 ; Soondah: unfavourable from the presence of “ Kunkur,” 49; Soopah : soil favourable but climate unfavourable, 49; Mr. Simpson’s opinion on the failure of the Coimbatore Farms to extend the cul- ture of American Cotton, 50; Recommended the appointment of a practical person to distribute seed and exhibit the gins, 50; Ap- proval of Mr Simpson’s suggestions: his transfer to the Bombay Presidency, 51; Dr. Wight’s answers to the queries of the Marquis of Tweeddale, 51 ; Superiority of the American Cotton to the Indian, 51; Extension of the improved methods of cultivation among the Ryots, 51; Reluctance of the Ryots to adopt the saw gin, 52.

———

CHAPTER III.

FOUR YEARS OF EXPERIMENTAL CULTURE -UNDER DR. WIGHT IN

COIMBATORE, 1845 to 1849.

Position of the Cotton experiment in 1845, 55 ; New arrangements,

55; Mr. Morris reports unfavourably of Bellary: his death, 56 ; Mr. Finnie reports unfavourably of the Madras district : despatched to Tinnevelly, 56; Dr. Wight’s New Cotton Farms im Coimbatore, 1845: four points neglected in the previous experiments, 57; Re- sults of four successive seasons on a new Farm, 1845-49, 58; Suggestions of the Manchester Association respecting sowing in May and on low soils, 59; Dr. Wight’s reply : Ist, July is the best time for sowing, 60; 2nd, Low Alluvial soils had proved a failure, but low lands near the Coast were under trial, 60.

DR. WIGHT’S NOTES.

Habits of the American Plant, 61; Four seasons of the American

Plant, 62; Adaptation of the habits of the American plant to the Indian seasons, 62; lst, Seasons on the eastern side, under the north-east monsoon, 62; Monthly mean temperature and mean falls of rain in the Carnatic, 63 ; Cotton cultivation under the north-east monsoon, sowing in September, 63 ; 2nd, Seasons on the western side, under the south-west monsoon, 64; Cotton cultivation under

CONTENTS.

the south-west monsoon, sowing in May, 64; 3rd, Intermediate re- gions under both the north-east and south-west monsoons, 65 ; Cot- ton cultivation under both monsoons, sowing in July, 65 ; Large ex- periment in early sowing throughout the Cotton Districts in the Madras Presidency, 66; First Result: India not too hot, but too cold, 66 ; Theory confirmed by a comparison of the temperature of Madras with that of Vera Cruz, Mobile, and Natchez, 67; Rising temperature in America, but diminishing temperature in India during the growing season, 68 ; Second Result: Carnatic not too dry, confirmed by a comparison of mean rain fall, 68 ; Two methods of cultivating American Cotton in India: adaptation of seasons, and artificial irrigation, 69; Experiments in irrigation, securing a rising temperature to the growing plant, 70; Five practical sug- gestions, 70; 1st, Choice of soil, 71; 2nd, Preparation of the land for the seed, 71; 3rd, Ploughing and hoeing during the growing

- season, 71; 4th, Distance between the rows, 72 ; 5th, Treatment of the plant as an annual and rotation of crops, 72; Profitable culti- vation of American Cotton throughout the Peninsula, 72.

Plans for extending the American Cotton Culture amongst the Ryots, 1845-49, 73 ; Court of Directors order 6000 bales of East India Cot- ton, 1845, 73; Proposition for reducing the assessment of lands under American Cotton cultivation, 74; Marquis of Tweeddale in favour of the remission, 75 ; Court of Directors decide against the remission, 75; Failure ofthe purchase system as regarded American Cotton,1848, 76; Contemplated establishment of a number of small Farms, 77.

CHAPTER IV.

FOUR YEARS OF EXPERIMENTAL CULTURE UNDER MR. FINNIE IN TINNEVELLY, 1845 to 1849.

‘Labours of Mr. Finnie and Dr. Wight compared, 80; First season, 1845-46: Mr. Finnie’s first impressions of Tinnevelly, 81; Sug- gestion, that by acting as a Cotton Agent, he could induce the Ryots to adopt the new culture, 82 ; An Agency would also increase the profits of both Ryots and Merchants, and double the exports, 82 ; Nothing however would induce the Ryots to adopt the American saw gin, 83; The thresher recommended, 84; Three points in the career of Mr. Finnie: the New Orleans Cotton, the Agency, and the saw gin, 85; Cultivation of Cotton: tour to Courtallum under both monsoons, June, 1846, 85 ; Necessity for co-operation of the Natives: employment of hired labour by the European always a loss, 85; First intercourse with the Ryots: allays fears and sus- picions, 86; Explains the improved method of culture to the Ryots, 86; Mr Finnie’s tour from Courtallum to Coimbatore, J uly,

CONTENTS.

1846, 87; Preparations for assisting Dr Wight in completing the Court’s order for 6000 bales, 87 ; Mr Finnie permitted to act as Agent: restricted to Cotton ginned and prepared on the American principle, August, 87; Restriction removed, 88; Mr Finnie’s | first year’s proceedings with the churka, thresher, and gin, 88 ; Queries submitted to Mr. Finnie by the Marquis of Tweeddale, 89.

MR. FINNIE’S NOTES ON coTToy CULTIVATION.

Early cultivation of Cotton im America: eompared with the present cultivation in India, 90; Climate discovered to be of more im- portance than soil, 91; Nature of the: lands in America on which the American plant is grown, 92; Manure, consisting of old stalks and rotten seed, buried in a furrow between the rows, 92; Cli- mate: very humid at night, but hot in the day, 92; Rotation of crops: alternation with Indian corn occasionally necessary, 98 ; Capital required in American cultivation, 93; Successive opera- tions necessary to raise a crop: cleaning old land and clearing new, 93; Planting, 94; “Scrapmg” or hoeing, 95; Gathering, 95; Uncertainty of weather: average crops, 96; Expenses of Cotton cultivation: produce estimated, not at so much per acre, but at four to eight bales per Negro, 97; Machinery, gin-house,

_ gins, press, and driving machinery, 98; Price of land: fluctuates with the price of Cotton, 99; Minimum price at which American Cotton could be produced, four pence per pound, 99; Prospects of India: labour in America and India compared, 100; Reduction of the Indian land-tax on Cotton grounds would neither benefit the Ryot nor extend the culture, 100.

Mr. Finnie’s second season, 1846-47 : planting operations succeeded at Courtallum but failed at Sevacausey, 101; Mr. Finnie is dis-

appointed as an Agent: proposal to employ Government Funds, 102; Mr. Finnie’s second year’s operations with the churka, thresher, and gin, 103; Sale of two gins to neighbouring Zemin- dars: their failure, 103; Cotton brokers rather than Zemindars should be induced to adopt the gin, 104; Mr. Finnie’s proposals for erecting a gin-house and cattle driving machinery in Tinne- velly, 104; Purchase of cattle driving machinery sanctioned, re- lative cost of cattle labour and manual labour, 105; Change in Mr. Finnie’s views as regards the cattle driving machinery, 105 ; Mr. Finnie’s explanation of his apparent inconsistencies, 106; Mr. Finnie’s general objections to te gin discussed by Dr. Wight, 108; Mr. Finnie’s proposition for erecting a gin-house of two storeys: the lower one for the driving machinery, and the upper one for the gins, 109; Hire of a temporary gin-house at Aroo- poocottah, 110; Erection of three gins anda thresher: their effect upon the Natives, 111; Testimony of the Brokers that dirty Cotton was more profitable than clean Cotton, 111.

CONTENTS.

MR. FINNIE’S NOTES ON THE INDIAN COTTON TRADE.

Systematic adulteration of Indian Cotton: transactions between the

Ryots, the Brokers, the Chitties, and the European Agent, 112; The Ryot : improvident and helplessly in debt, 113; The Broker; adulteration of the Cotton by the “ Devil’s dust” system, 113; The Chitty: tricks played upon the European Agents, 114.

Conclusion of the season of*1846-47 : difficulties in the way of con-

ducting the ginning operations at Aroopoocottah, 115; 1st, High prices demanded by the Ryots for their seed Cotton, 116% 2nd, Heavy expenses of ginning, 116 3; Necessity for improving the construction of the gin, 118; Third season, 1847-48 : stage of the Cotton experiment in Tinnevelly, 119; Planting operations : suc- cessful culture of American Cotton in the Courtallam valley, 119; Unsuccessful culture at Sevacausey, Virdooputty, and Aroopoocot-

tah, 120; Agency operations: Mr. Finnie requests permission to

proceed to England to consult with the Cotton Manufacturers, 120;

| Operations with the churka, thresher, and gin: meeting of the

Cotton brokers of Timnevelly, 121; Cost of cleaning with the thresher and churka as compared with that of the gin, 121; Cost at which clean unadulterated Cotton might be supplied, 122; Re- commends the introduction of small hand threshers and cheap ae 122; Small hand threshers and presses sanctioned, 123;

r. Thomas believed that Cotton was not adulterated by design, and that good Cotton was often sent home, 123; No market or Agency

- required in Tinnevelly, 124 ; Cultivation of New Orleans Cotton,

and improved cleaning, the main points, 124; Mr. Finnie’s design for a cheap Cotton press, 124; Mr. Finnie’s sample of churkaed Tinnevelly Cotton equal to American, 125; Madras Government refer the sample to Dr. Wight, the Chamber of Commerce, and the

Court of Directors, 127; Dr. Wight’s report, Mr. Finnie’s sample Is “ good Tinnevelly,” which no one could mistake for American, 127; Large shipment of churkaed Cotton contrary to the orders of the Directors, 128; Dr. Wight’s system of purchase compared _ with that of Mr. Finnie, 129; Madras Chamber of Commerce con- firm Dr. Wight’s valuation of Mr. Finnie’s Cotton, 129; Man- _ chester Commercial Association pass a similar judgment upon the Cotton, 130; Fourth season, 1848-49; proposed extension of _ planting operations, 130; Mr. Finnie’s matured judgment against _ the culture of American Cotton or use of the American gin, 132;

Pronounces in favour of the Indigenous Cotton and Native churka,

| 132; Native Cotton should be first threshed, next churkaed, and

finally cleaned by hand, 133; Erection of Mr, Finnie’s gin-house and driving machinery at Sevacausey, 133; Relative cost of the churka, the hand gin, and cattle gin, 135; Mr. Finnie refused permission to extend his operations to Coimbatore, 135.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER V,

DISPUTES BETWEEN DR. WIGHT AND MR. FINNIE, DISCUSSIONS OF THE MADRAS GOVERNMENT AND COURT OF DIRECTORS, AND FINAL CLOSE OF THE EXPERIMENTAL CULTURE, 1847 To 1853.

Marquis of Tweeddale succeeded by Sir Henry Pottinger: breach | between Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie, 189; Mr. Finnie convinced | of the folly of cultivating American Cotton in India: Dr. Wight recommends his removal, 141; Points of the dispute: summary of the correspondence, 142; Mr. Finnie to Dr. Wight, 7th No- vember, 1848: “I have had great difficulties in ginning, but have’ induced many Natives to plant American Cotton,’ 143; Dr. Wight to Mr. Finnie, 15th November: “ Your purchase of Chur- kaed Cotton is illegal, your culture of American Cotton unsatis- factory, and your ginning too expensive,” 144; Mr. Fimnie to Dr. Wight, 18th December: “ My plans have all been approved by the authorities,” 145 ; Dr. Wight’s explanations, 30th January, 1849, 147; General opinions of the Madras Government and Court of Directors upon the Hxperimental Culture, 149; Minute of the Marquis of Tweeddale in 1847: Ist, To relinquish the Experi- mental Farm in Coimbatore, 149; 2nd, To establish small model fields, under a practical Agency, amongst the native cultivators, 151; 3rd, To set up small gin establishments, and to keep up good roads to the ports, 151; Limits to Government agency : the Manufacturer should purchase direct from the Ryot, 152. |

VIEWS OF THE COURT OF DIRECTORS.

Despatch of the Court of Directors, 1848, 153; 1st, The Cotton farm at Coimbatore may be relinquished: it has been proved that the right Cotton can be grown, and the price alone remains to be ascertained, 154; 2nd, “Agency confined to practical planters ” may be tried on a small scale, 154.

VIEWS OF SIR HENRY POTTINGER.

Minute of Sir Henry Pottinger, May, 1849, 155; The experimental Farms have been fully tried, and their continuance would be in-§ jurious, 156; American Cotton in any part of the Madras Presi- dency liable to failure, 156; Causes of the failure of American Cotton: climate and soil, 157; Dr. Wight ascribes the failure inj} Coimbatore to the want of humidity, but humidity does not mean#. rain, 157 ; The Ryotsshould now be left to themselves, with such aid as the Revenue Establishments may give, 158; Mr. Finnie to remain, in Tinnevelly till October, to instruct the East Indian lads in the@ use of the gins, etc-, 158; Dr. Wight should break up his estab- lishment in Coimbatore immediately, 159 ; Gin-houses at Coimba-

CONTENTS.

tore and Aroopoocottah to be placed under the Collectors for the use of the Ryots, 159; Unfounded complaint of the Manchester Asso- ciation : the Manchester merchants ought to help themselves, 159.

‘State of Dr. Wight’s Farm at Coimbatore, May, 1849: 500 acres

—_ x -——t J &—_”, _—-

J f f i J J -

held by lease and 200 acres worked by contract, 160; Application of Dr. Wight to be permitted to sow and gather one crop more: refused, June, 161; Departure of Mr. Finnie from the Madras Presidency, 163; Mr. Iimnie’s last letter, July, 1849 :—The gins will always remain idle after Government ceases to use them, 163 ; Decision of the Madras Government as regards Dr. Wight, re- versed by the Court of Directors, September, 164; Dr. Wight’s services to be retained: Mr. Finnie’s dispensed with, 166; State of the Farms at Coimbatore, 167; Dr. Wight cultivates American Cotton by irrigation, 167; Postponement of Dr. Wight’s Cotton Report, 167; 1st, Mather’s improved Churka, 168; 2nd, The Manchester Cottage saw gin, 169; Twenty-four Cottage saw gins received by the Madras Government, 1849, 169; Report of the Madras Chamber of Commerce; the working of the Cottage saw gin unsatisfactory, 170; Expense of the Cottage saw gin an insuperable bar to its employment in India, 170; Dr. Wight reports: favourably of the Cottage saw gin, 170; Prices of the Cottage saw gin to Natives and Europeans, 171; Favourable re- port of the Collector of Tanjore: subsequently reversed, 171; Favourable reports on the Dharwar saw gin, 171; Dr. Wight compares the working of the Dharwar gin, the Manchester Cottage gin, and the large hand gin, 172 ; Relative cost of labour on the Churka, the Manchester Cottage gin, and the large hand gins, 173; Three years’ progress in the Cotton experiment, 1850-52, 174; Colonel Lawford’s cultivation by irrigation in Tanjore, 174; Mr. Wroughton’s Collectorate Farm at Coimbatore, 175; Mr. Thomas’s opinions upon the best method of inducing the Ryots to cultivate American Cotton, 176; Cotton cultivation by Mr. David Lees in Tinnevelly : discussion concerning the right of Chayroot renters, 177; Discussion respecting the purchase of American Cotton on Government account from the Ryots of Tinnevelly, 178 ; Authority for the purchases refused by the Madras Government, 179; Completion of Dr. Wight’s report, May, 1852, 179.

DR. WIGHT’S FINAL REPORT.

\Stage of the Cotton experiment in 1849, 180; Improved prospects

during 1850-51 and 1851-52, 180; Previous reluctance of the Ryots to cultivate American Cotton connected with the existence

of the Cotton Farms, 181; Ryots encouraged by their own success

to extend the cultivation, 181; Large results in 1850-51 and 1851- a2, 182; Ryots adopt Dr. Wight’s practice, 182; Refutation of the theory that the climate and soil of India are unfitted for

CONTENTS.

American Cotton, 183; 1st, The theory is founded on the as- sumption that Indian Cotton has succeeded when the American has failed, 183; 2nd, The theory is based upon a comparison of crops grown in India, and of crops grown on the Mississippi, instead of those grown in Georgia, 183; Differences between India and the Mississippi do not prove that the soil of India is inimical to American Cotton, 184; Soil of Southern India better compared with that of Georgia, 184; Climate of Southern India not so congenial as that of Georgia: evil obviated by sowing in August or September, 185; Leading principles of Cotton culture in the Carnatic : sowing before the north-east monsoon, and selection of soil, 185; Objection of native spinners to the soft silky fibre of the New Orleans Cotton, 186 ; Difficulty of separating the seed, and prejudice against the seed as food for cattle, 186; Nothing want- ed to secure a rapid extension of the American Cotton culture, but a steady market and a moderate competition, 187; Cotton cultivation on the Coromandel coast: New Orleans, Sea Island, EKeyptian, and Brazilian, 187; Partial suecess of Mr. David Lees on the sandy coast lands of Tinnevelly: error as regards deep sowing, 188; Sandy soils along the Coromandel coast adapted to the cultivation of American Cotton, 188.

Sir Henry Pottinger’s Government condemns Dr. Wight’s report, 189; Recommends, that as the Farms had proved injurious, and that as the Agency was no longer necessary, all Govern- ment intervention should be withdrawn, 190; Dr. Wight’s pro- test against the conclusions of the Madras Government, 190; Ist, The Government Farms had not proved injurious, but the groundless suspicions of the Ryots, 190; 2nd, The Government Agency had not proved unnecessary, as it removed the sus- picions of the Ryots, 191; Retirement of Dr. Wight: Final De- spatch of the Court of Directors 1853, 192.

—

CHAPTER YI.

PRESENT CONDITION OF THE COTTON CULTURE IN THE SEVERAL DISTRICTS OF THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY, 1853 To 1862.

Stage of the Cotton experiment, 1853-62, 195; Survey of the present Cotton cultivation in the Madras Presidency, 196; Ist, NortHERN Crrcars, four Districts, 196; (1) Ganjam: produce inconsider- able, but easily increased by money advances, 196; (2) Vizagapatam: Cotton grown insufficient for home consumption and not remuner- ative, 197; (3) Godavari: Cotton supply larger, but insufficient for the wants of the District, 197; (4) Kristna: large Cotton

Le. ee ee.

. CONTENTS.

supply, 198; 2nd, HastERN PLAIN oF THE CaRNaTIC: eight Districts, 199; (1) Nellore: a grazing District, 199, (2) Madras : Native Cotton not grown, 199 ; Experiments in Foreign Cotton : Mr. Shubrick’s successful cultivation of the Egyptian variety, 200; Experimental culture of the Brazil or Pernambuco variety by Dr. Mudge, 200; (3) North Arcot: Red soil, and consequently no Indian Cotton, 202; (4) South Arcot: inconsiderable quantity of Indian Cotton, 202; (5) Trichinopoly: quantity of Cotton im- considerable: mode of cultivation, 202; (6) Tanjore: Soil not fa- vourable without irrigation, and with irrigation the cultivation of rice is preferred, 203 ; (7) Madura: detailed report from the Col- lector, 204; Soil, 204; Geology and topography, 204; Climate, 205; Seed used and whence obtained, 205; Character of the Cotton plant, 205; Mode of cultivation, time of flowering, weight of Cotton wool per acre, 205; Manure, 206; Diseases, 206 ; (8) Tinnevelly : Mr. Mayne’s detailed report, 206 ; Soil, 207; 1st, The Caresal, or Black soil; 207; 2nd, The Veppel, or Black and Sandy soil, 207 ; 3rd, The Pottel, or stiff clayey soil, 207 ; 4th, The Shevel, or Red soil, 208; Geology and topography, 208; Climate, 208; Seed used and whence obtained, 210; Character of the Cotton plant, 210 ; Mode of cultivation, time of flowering, weight of Cotton wool per acre, etc., 210; Manure, 210; Diseases, 210; Mr. Silver’s Report,

. 211; Queries of Sir Wilham Denison, with Mr. Silver’s replies, _ 211; Letter from Mr. Hardy, European Agent at Tuticorin, 214;

ord, CENTRAL TABLE-LAND: five Districts, 215; (1) Bellary : detail- ed report from the Collector, 215; Soil, 215; Geology and topo- graphy, 216; Climate, 217; Seed used and whence obtained, 217 ; Nature and character of the Cotton, 217; Method of cultivation, time of flowering, and weight of Cotton wool per acre, etc., 217; Manure, 219; Diseases, 219; (2) Kurnool: a Cotton growing

|, District, 219; Cost of transit : the sole obstacle to increased pro-

duction, 219; Improvements in the quality must be effected by the Merchants themselves, 220; (3) Cuddapah: present state of Cotton as reported by Mr. Wedderburn the Collector, 220; De- tailed report by Mr. Murray, the previous Collector, 221; Soil, 221; Weeds, 221; Geology and topography, 222; Climate, 223 ; Seed used and whence obtained, 224; Character of the Cotton

' plant, 224; Mode of cultivation, time of flowering, weight of Cot- | ton wool per acre, etc., 224; Manure, 224; Diseases, 225; (4)

Salem: Messrs. Fischer and Co., the only exporters, 225 ; (5)

Hi! Coimbatore: detailed report of Mr. Thomas, the Collector, 225 ;

' b

|

i’ Soil: Black, Red, and Alluvium, 225; Geology and topography, 1 226; Climate, 227; Seed used and whence obtained, 228; Cha- iracter of the Cotton plant, 228; Mode of cultivation, time of

t+! flowering, weight of Cotton wool per acre, etc., 229; Manure, 231 ; i) Diseases, 231; 4th, WesTERN sTRIP OR Mawasar COAST: three

wy

CONTENTS.

districts, 232; (1) North Canara: not a Cotton producing Dis- trict, 232; Report of the District Engineer on the experimental culture of Mr. Kleinknecht, 233; (2) South Canara: not a Cot- ton producing District, 234; (8) Malabar: not a Cotton pro- ducing District, 234; Native States: Mysore, Cochin, and Tra- vancore, 234.

————— ee ee

Conclusion: general results, 284; Four general conclusions, 235 ; 1st, American Cotton can be grown, but the profit 1s questionable, 935 Qnd, Indian Cotton may be improved, but only to a degree, 936; 3rd, American Cotton must always command a higher price than Indian, 237; 4th, The demand for Indian Cotton must always depend upon the supply of American, 237 ; Political and commer- cial prospects of Indian Cotton, 237.

APPENDIX.

‘PAGE

Appendix I. i ti. x

Ii. xu

TV. x1V

Vv. Xxvil

sa Ba XXX

AI. XXXIV

In

INDEX

Lyra = Ny Sire

7 Ne

SKETCH MAP of the

HHatiras Presidency

PerTON CULTIVATION

IN THE

MADRAS PRESIDENCY.

CHAPTER I.

GENERAL VIEW OF THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY, AND OF THE IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRED IN INDIAN COTTON.

(1.) Hand-book to the Cotton Cultivation of each Presidency ordered by the Government of India, 22nd July, 1861.—(2.) Method pursued in drawing up the present Hand-book to the Madras Presidency, 28th Au- gust.—(3.) Three objects sought by the East India Company with reference to Cotton.—(4.) Boundaries of the Madras Presidency.—(5.) Physical features of the country.—(6.) Three modifications of the tropical heat, viz. the table-land, the sea, and the two monsoons.—(7.) North-east monsoon, October to April: South-west monsoon, May to September.— (8.) Climate of the Madras Presidency and Cotton States of North Ame- rica compared : reversal of the seasons.—(9.) Revenue divisions of the Ma- dras Presidency.—(10.) Revenue systems of the Madras Presidency : based upon the Village communities.—(11.) Three Revenue systems: First, the Village joint rent system.—(12.) Second, the Zemindary system.— (13.) Third, the Ryotwary system.—(14.) Advantages of the Ryotwary tenure over the Zemindary and Village joint rent systems.—(15.) Revenue division of lands: Government, Zemindary, and Inam.—(16.) Nature and extent of the Cotton soils of India.—(17.) Four great Cotton districts : Bellary and Cuddapah to. the North; Coimbatore and Tinnevelly to the South.—(18.) Statistics of the Cotton-growing districts.—(19.) Review of the three improvements required in Indian Cotton.—(20.) First, Better variety of Cotton required: general classification of Indian and American Cottons.—(21.) Six leading varieties of Cotton, viz. Indian, Bourbon, New Orleans, Pernambuco, Egyptian, and Sea Island.—(22.) Indian, Bourbon, and New Orleans Cotton compared.—(23.) Second, Better sys-— tem of cultivation required: Indian and American agriculture compared. —(24.) Third, Better method of separating and cleaning the Cotton re- quired : the Foot Roller.—(25.) The Native Churka.—(26.) The American Saw Gin.—(27.) The Thresher,—(28.) Division of the subject matter in the present, Hand-book.—(29.) Twelve years of Cotton experiments divi- sible into three periods of four years each.—(30.) Specialities of the several Chapters.

B

2 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. I.

CHAT «1

1 Hand-book to the Cotton Cultivation of each Pre- sidency ordered by the Government of India, 22nd — July, 1861—In July, 1861, the Governor-General in Council resolved, that one gentleman should be ap- pointed in each of the Indian Presidencies to analyze the contents of the various public records connected with the improvement and extension of the cultivation of Cotton in his particular Province, and to publish the results in such a form as might prove useful as a Guide or Hand-book to persons interested in the subject. The compiler however was not to be limited to the public records of his Presidency. Evidence taken be- fore Parliamentary Committees, Transactions of Scien- tific Bodies, Books of Travels, Special Publications lke those of Dr. Forbes Royle, and indeed any work which referred to the prospects of Cotton cultivation within the Province for which the compilation was made, might be consulted by the compiler, and the facts they contained be exhibited with the other facts comprised in the pub- lic records. The Local Officers of Land Revenue or Customs were also called upon to supply official statis- tics of trade or cultivation, as well as any other in- formation which might be at their disposal; Mars were to be prepared by the Public Works Department ; and in short no labour or means were to be spared that were calculated to render each work a complete Hand- book to the Cotton cultivation in each Presidency. Above all however it was declared to be essential that the task should be completed with as little delay as possible; and upon this point the Supreme Government remarked that “an imperfect compilation, which could — be available within the next six months, would be far more useful than one which thoroughly exhausted the subject, but which could not be published till a year fj hence.”’

2 Method pursued in drawing up the present Hand- book to the Madras Presidency, 28th August.—By an

CHAP. 1.]. GENERAL VIEW. GEOGRAPHY. 3

order of the Madras Government, dated 28th August, 1861, the present compiler was directed to undertake the work required by the Government of India. Every facility indicated was fully afforded, and the task was commenced without delay. Fortunately, the great mass of official records relating to the experiments un- dertaken by Government had been already published in the form of Reports and Blue-books ; and the principal manuscript records to be consulted were those which had accumulated after the departure of Dr. Wight from

_ India in 1853. The published records are as follows :—

!

j

Reports connected with the Proceedings of the East India Company in regard to the Culture and Ma- nufacture of Cotton work prior to 1836. Octavo. Pages 431.

Parliamentary Return of Papers, connected with the Measures taken by the Company to promote the cultivation of Cotton in India, 1836—1847. Folio. Pages 585.

Ditto, with reference to the Madras Presidency only, 1847—1857. Folio. Pages 419.

Report from the Select Parliamentary Committee on the growth of Cotton in India; together with the Minutes of Evidence, &c., 1848. Folio. Pages 615,

Accordingly, 1t has been found necessary, in the first instance, to make an abstract of all the papers contain- ‘ed in the first three of the foregoing publications, for the ‘purposes of digestion and classification; and then, by means of this abstract, together with a constant and ‘careful verification of the original documents, to en- ‘deavour to draw up a narrative of all the experiments

\twhich have been made by the Hast India Company,

‘with reference to this all-important subject, illustrated ‘by such other information as could be obtained from

‘the different sources, manuscript and otherwise, which ‘were indicated by the Supreme Government ; and ex-

‘hibiting, in as clear and succinct a form as could be

attained, all the results that were likely to be of interest ‘or utility to persons engaged in similar inquiries or

‘speculations. B2

5)

4 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. I.

Three objects sought by the East India Company with reference to Cotton._The improvements which the East India Company have desired from an early period to introduce into India are three in number, VIZ. :— :

Ist, 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, endeavouring to exhibit the experiments which have been made and the results which have been achieved in the Madras Presidency, it will be necessary, first, to glance at the specialities of the country; and, secondly, to unfold more minutely the nature of the objects which the late Company have sought to attain.

Boundaries of the Madras Presidency.—The Madras Presidency may be described as an irregular triangle, occupying the whole southern quarter of the great In- dian peninsula. Its western side is formed by the coast of Malabar; its eastern side by the coast of Coromandel ; its apex by Cape Comorin; whilst its base may be indicated by the river Kristna. In ad-. dition to this triangle, however, the Presidency stretches 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. |

Physical features of the country.—The Madras Pre- sidency may be said to consist of a table-land slopmg} from west to east and from south to north, and sup-} ported on either side by a chain of mountains, known} respectively as the Eastern and Western Ghauts. Hach} chain runs parallel with the coast on either side. The} Eastern Ghauts rise at a distance of from 30 to 60};

‘CHAP.I.] GENERAL VIEW. GEOGRAPIIY. 5

‘miles from the Coromandel coast, and leave the large irregularly level, and generally sandy plain of the Car- ‘natic between themselves and the Bay of Bengal. The Western Ghauts rise much more abruptly and to a /much greater height on the Malabar coast, and leave a /much narrower strip of land between themselves and the Indian ocean. The two chains running north to (south gradually unite at Cape 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 south- _ern territory of Mysore, which has a medium elevation , of 3000 feet, to the northern districts of Bellary and _Cuddapah, where the mean height is 1600 feet. Hast _of the table-land is the broad sandy plain of the Car- ‘natic; west of the table land is the narrow fertile ter- ritory known as Canara and Malabar. , Three modifications of the tropical heat, viz. the 6 table-land, the sea, and the two monsoons.—The whole . of the Madras Presidency is situated within the tropics, ‘ between the eighth and twentieth degrees of north i latitude. The entire territory therefore is subject to ; great heat, and this is especially the case in localities . which are unrelieved by moisture. But the elevation , of the table-land in the centre, the vicinity of the plains | to the sea, and, above all, the influence of the two mon- ; goons, very much modity the burning heat of the sun. | North-east monsoon, October to April: South-west ‘monsoon, May to September.—The manifestations of 3 |

the monsoons are so unlike anything that is experienced in the British isles, and at the same time they exercise such an important influence on every kind of cultiva- tion in India, that perhaps a short description may not be misplaced. ‘The monsoons are periodical winds, _which about the time of their first setting in bring heavy bursts of rain. One sets in from the north-east about October, and blows more or less steadily for six months. ‘The other sets in from the south-west about April, and blows until the north-east begins. Thus the broad plain of the Carnatic enjoys the influence of the north-east monsoon; the narrow strip of Malabar

geno — ey fea EEE Sea

6 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. I.

} j

/

and Canara is favoured by the south-west monsoon ; |

whilst certain portions of the table-land between them

enjoy a partial benefit from both monsoons. Each of |

these monsoons brings a supply of rain. The north-

east brings less water than the other, but then its in- | fluence is more generally felt, as the Eastern Ghauts | are not sufficiently elevated to shut it out from the ©

central table-iand. 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 m- fluence is more or less shut out from the central table- land by the abrupt and elevated wall of mountains. In two or three favoured localities, however, and especially

in the neighbourhood of Coimbatore, there are breaks —

or chasms in the Ghauts, through which the clouds are carried by the south-west wind, and produce a fertility which is not to be found in regions which only enjoy the benefit of the north-east monsoon. The bearing of these influences upon the cultivation of Cotton will be found largely illustrated in the following pages.

Climate of the Madras Presidency and Cotton States — of North America compared: reversal of seasons,— _

Before noticing the other local peculiarities of the Madras Presidency, it may be as well to compare the

climate generally with that of the Cotton States of |

North America. We have seen that every part of the Presidency lies to the southward of the twentieth degree north latitude ; and we may now add that all the Cotton States of America lie to the northward of that degree, and indeed to the northward of the thirtieth parallel.

This difference of latitude is obviated by a reversal of |

the seasons, the winter of India being taken as the

summer of the Cotton cultivation. In other words, whilst in America the Cotton is sown in April and gathered in September, in India it is sown in October and gathered in March and April. <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 col-

CHAP. I.] © GENERAL VIEW. REVENUE. ae

lecting 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.

1st. NorvrHern Crrcars, four districts: viz.—(1) Ganjam, (2) Vizagapatam, (8) Godavari, (4) Kristna.*

2nd. Hastern Pray of the Carnatic, eight dis- tricts: viz.—(1) Nellore, (2) Madras, (8) North Arcot, (4) South Arcot, (5) Trichinopoly, (6) Tanjore, (7) Madura, (8) Tinnevelly.

3rd. CENTRAL TABLE-LAND, five districts: viz.— (1) Bellary, (2) Kurnool, (8) 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 Native States which are dependent upon Great Britain: viz.—Mysore in the Central Table-land, and Travancore and Cochin in the south-west corner of the Peninsula. For the sake of clearness a small sketch map is ap-

pended, exhibiting generally the frontiers of all the Re-. venue Districts and Native States included in the Ma-.

dras Presidency.

Revenue systems of the Madras Presidency: 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 throughout 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 per-

* Previous to the last two years the present districts of the Godavari and Kristna formed the three districts of Rajahmundry, Masulipatam, and Guntoor. The new arrangement was found convenient for many reasons, but chiefly as it kept the district watered by the river Goda- vari, distinct from the district watered by the river Kristna. Ac- cordingly, the whole of Rajahmundry and part of Masulipatam were formed into the Godavari district ; and the remaining portion of Ma- sulipatam 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 Rajahmundry as Godavari, and Masulipatam and Guntoor as Aristna.

+

10

11

8 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. I.

haps call “parishes.’’ Each village comprises not only: houses and families, but cultivated lands and waste lands. ach village has also an organization and go- vernment of its own. Of course the bulk of each vil- lage community is composed of Ryots, or landholders ; but each village has also its own officers and artisans. First of all there is the Head man, whose duties origin- ally were to pay the yearly land tax or tribute to Go- vernment for the entire village; and who also, in con- junction with the villagers in council, allotted the lands for cultivation, apportioned the yearly contribution each one was to pay towards the Government demand, set- tled all disputes, and performed other Municipal duties, which need not be specified. The latter duties, and in some cases the former duties, are still performed by the Head man of the village, but this will be explained hereafter. Next to the Head man is generally the Accountant, who keeps the village records and accounts ; the Watchman, who guards the boundaries and watches the crops; the Money-changer, the Priest, the Astro- loger, the Smith, the Carpenter, the Barber, the Potter, and the Leather-worker ; and in many cases there is also the Tailor, Washerman, Physician, Musician, Min- strel (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 erain. These villages have existed from time imme- morial. They are essentially Hindoo institutions. To use the words of Sir Charles Metealf, “the village com- munities are little republics, having nearly everything they can want within themselves, and almost independ- ent of any foreign relations. They seem to last where nothing else lasts. Dynasty after dynasty tumbles down; revolution succeeds to revolution ; Huindoo, Patan, Mogul, Mahratta, Sikh, English, are all masters _ in turn; but the village community remains the same.” |

Three Revenue systems: Ist, the Village joint rent — system.—By bearing in mind the village communities, _ it is easy to obtain a general view of the Revenue sys- |

CHAP. I. | GENERAL VIEW. REVENUE. 9

tems 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 villager is responsible not only for the payment of his own contribution, but virtually for the payment of the contributions of all the others; whilst at the same time there is no clear de- finition of his individual right to the land which he cultivates and holds. 2nd, The Zemindary system.—This system may also be explained in a few words. A set of middle-men, or aristocracy, arose between the Sovereign and the Head men of the villages, known by the general name of Ze- mindars. 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 chicanery 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 fromm time imme- morial. Be this as it may, we found all the Zemindars exercising proprietary rights, and paying a fixed annual sum to the existing Government. Accordingly, this Zemindary system has, in many parts, still contmued 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 culti- vation, as well as the whole of any future revenue which may arise from the waste lands being taken into culti- vation. ord, The Ryotwary system.—The Ryotwary system is the most important of all, and the one which gener- ally 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 land-

12

13

14 .

15

10 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [ CHAP. I.

holders. By this system every registered holder of land is recognized as its actual proprietor. He can sub-let his property, or transfer it by gift, sale, or mortgage. So long as he pays his yearly rent, the Government 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.

Advantages of the Ryotwary tenure over the Zemind- ary 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 Zemindary tenure would entail four evils. 1st, It would place a middle-man between the Government and the Ryot. 2nd, It would strike off from 15 to 33 per cent. of the existing revenue, which would go into the pockets of the middle-man. 8rd, 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 powerful and injurious influence of the Zemindars. Again, to revert from the Ryotwar to the village joint-rent system would entail two evils. Ist, It would annul individual property inthe land. 2nd, It would render the whole of a village community responsible for the short-comings of any of its individual members.

Revenue division of lands: Government, Zemindary, and Inam,—The village joint-rent system will shortly be abolished, and there will then remain but two lead- ing distinctions of tenure: viz., the Zemindary and Ryotwary. <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 as- sessment. 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 rest- ing-places for travellers), and other charitable purposes ;

| |

:

CHAP. I.] GENERAL VIEW. REVENUE. 11 or from motives which were merely personal. It is be- lieved 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. Accordingly, an Inam Commission has been set on foot to determine the rights of holders of Inams, and to fix a very moderate assessment, redeemable at wills where those rights are found to be invalid. This matter, how- ever, 1s only of consequence so far as it serves to explain the nature of Inam lands.*

Nature and extent of the Cotton soils of India.—The

principal Cotton soil of India is known as Black land, which is of various depths. Thus in Cuddapah it is found to extend to twenty

or thirty feet, and generally rests, either on ™

kunkur or lime, or else on sand. In Madura it is from four or five feet to fifteen feet in depth, and rests in many places upon rocks of black and white marbles and granite, and also upon masses of gravel. In Tinnevelly again we are told that the Black soil varies

Collector of Cuddapah’s letter, ist Ju. ly, ee

Collector of Madura’s letter, 17th July, 1858. M.S. Collector of Tinnevelly’s letter, 8th Nov., 1858. d¥i. DO.

in depth from two to five feet; and in Coim- x.

batore it is described as being from three to six feet. This Black soil appears to be peculiarly adapted to the growth of Indian Cotton, and is to be found more or less in almost every District in the Presidency.

Collector of Coimbaitore’s letter, 18th Dec., 1858. M. S.

In preparing

the large Cotton Map which illustrates the present Hand-book, a sketch map of each District was forwarded to each District Engineer, with a request that he would colour those parts in which this Cotton soil prevailed. The results are accordingly exhibited in the Cotton Map, and generally serve to show the extent of land available for the cultivation of Indian Cotton. The amount of Cotton land actually under cultivation for the last eight years is also exhibited in the Appendix,

* The average rate of Government assessment of such lands as those upon which Cotton is generally cultivated, varies very con- siderably in each District. Thus in Bellary the average is about 1s. 33d. per acre, whilst in Vizagapatam it is nearly 8s. per acre. A statement exhibiting the average rate in each District will be found in the Appendix.

16

17

18

12 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [ CHAP. I.

under the several heads of Government lands, Inam lands, and Zemindary lands; together with the sum total of the yearly assessment of the Cotton lands of each District in Rupees. Besides, however, the Black soil, there are two other soils, viz., the Red and the Al- luvial. These two, but especially the Red, are found to be even better adapted to the cultivation of Ameri- ean Cotton than the Black. ‘This fact will -be fully discussed further on. It will be sufficient to say, that should the American species ultimately prove product- ive and profitable, the Madras Presidency could alone furnish an almost inexhaustible supply of Indian and American Cotton.

Four great Cotton Districts: Bellary and Cuddapah to the north: Coimbatore and Tinnevelly to the south. —The present so called Cotton growing Districts of the Madras Presidency, are eight in number, viz., Kristna, Nellore, Cuddapah, Kurnool, and Bellary in the north; and Madura, Coimbatore, and Tinnevelly in the south. Of these, however, four are the principal, and those which must especially be borne in mind, v1zZ.—

Norru.—Bellary and Cuddapah.

Soura.—Coimbatore and Tinnevelly.

Statistics of the Cotton growing Districts.—In 1848 the following questions, drawn up by Dr. Royle, were forwarded to each Collector with reference to Indian Cotton.

1st. The price of Cotton, freed from the seed, in the principal mart or marts in the District. |

2nd. The price at which the Ryot sells his Cotton, cleaned or uncleaned; and with or without advances.

8rd. The expense ‘of cleaning Cotton by the churka, a foot roller,* or any other method which may be in use.

4th. The expenses of conveying Cotton to the near- est port for shipment. |

5th. The average produce of Cotton per acre.

6th. The quantity of land under cultivation with

* A description of the churka and foot roller will be found at paras. 24 and 20,

CHAP. I.| GENERAL VIEW. COTTON DISTRICTS. 13

Cotton, and the extent to which the cultivation could be carried, in the event of an increasing demand.

The information obtained in reply to these Parliament queries is exhibited on the table in the Ap- (Gss7), p. 36, pendix, which was prepared by the Madras 37. Board of Revenue, but is now 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 4), pinnic’s tell the truth about the first; and as they letters, 30th keep no accounts, they cannot furnish ac- ans curate information upon the second point. 1849. Parl.

In the case of a poor Ryot, the cultivation (iss) p. o7 5

is carried on by himself and family ; in the **¢- case of a rich Ryot, it is carried on by his numerous dependents, whom he merely feeds.

Review of the three improvements required in the 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 endeavoured to effect in India with reference to Cotton: viz., To introduce—I1st, A better variety; 2nd, A bet- ter cultivation; and 8rd, A better method of cleaning.

Ist. Better variety of Cotton: general classifica- tion of Indian and American Cotton.—The Cotton plant may be divided, for all the practical purposes contemplated in the present work, into three species only, which with their respective varieties may be thus briefly indicated.

1st. Indian Cotton, including the very short stapled varieties of Bengal, Madras, and Surat.

2nd. North American Cotton, including, first, the short stapled varieties of New Orleans (Mexican), West Indian (Bourbon ?), Uplands, and Boweds ; and, second, the long stapled variety of Sea Island Cotton, which is said to have the longest, finest, and softest fibre in the world.

ard. South American Cotton, including the long stapled varieties of Pernambuco (Brazilian), Peruvian, etc.

19.

20

21

14 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. I:

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. Buta 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 ex- hibits the various lengths of the different staples, will convey a general knowledge of the subject ; and it may be added that the North and South American varieties exceed the Indian varieties, not only in length of staple but in fineness and softness of fibre.

Six leading varieties of Cotton, viz. Indian, Bour- 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 of 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 introduced 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. ©

8rd. 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 introduce into India.+ |

Ath. Pernambuco, or Brazilian, wpon which some

* For a learned and scientific dissertation on the different species and varieties of Cotton, the reader cannot do better than refer to Dr. Forbes Royle’s work on the culture of Cotton in India.

+ 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. SP

CHAP.I.] GENERAL VIEW. VARIETIES OF CoTTON. 15

experiments are still being made by private individuals. This Cotton is marked by the peculiarity of its seeds, which adhere together in conglomerations.

5th. EHgyptian, 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.*

Indian, Bourbon, and New Orleans Cotton compared. 22 —Besides the differences between the staple of the Indian and New Orleans Cotton, there are some other peculiarities which are well worthy of notice. The In- dian is a stunted plant, which seems as though it formed a degenerate species. It rarely rises above three feet from the ground, and sometimes 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 end of the last century, rises to about the same height as the Indian, but then it spreads out its branches much more. The New Orleans, however, rises to a far greater height than either the Bourbon or the In-

Letters from the Collectors of Cuddapah, Bellary, Ma- dura, 'Tinne- velly, and Co- imbatore, sup- plying infor-

tion fi dian, and spreads out its branches a great Buieceee: deal more than either. But the root of the Mallet. 18s,

New Orleans does not strike so deeply into

the ground as either the Bourbon or the Indian; and consequently it is less able to bear a protracted drought than either one or the other. This fact may be found useful in explaining some of the results attendant upon

* A still clearer idea of the different varieties of Cotton may be gathered 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 texture. Other qualities,—Egyptian, New Orleans, and Boweds,—are made into cambrics and calicoes for printing, as weil as into shirtings, sheetings, and fustians; and, when mixed with the better kinds of waste, into bed-covers and heavy fabrics. But East Indian Cotton is rarely at present used alone, except for the lowest purposes, because of its general inferiority ; and it is generally disposed of in adulteration. Bazley’s Lecture upon Cotton, p. 29. We might however remind Mr. Bazley that very beautiful muslins are still manufactured by the native weavers at Dacca and Arnee

23

16 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. IL

the experimental culture which we shall presently have to record. 2nd, Better system of Cultivation: Indian and American agriculture compared.—The differences be- tween American and Indian culture will be largely illustrated in the present volume; but it may be as well to state here generally that they chiefly lie in the degree of attention bestowed upon the land. The Americans 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 gina together, the weeds to flourish, and the Culture of | wool to hang long after the seed is ripe. eee oie In some localities however they sow in “drills, plough the land previous 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. ord.— Better method of separating and cleaning the Cotton: Ist, The Foot Roller.—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 ren- der 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 simplicity 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 coun- Letier from | HEY) Lue Lobtem as placed on a fiat stone. Mr.C. Lush, A woman sits on a stool before it. Her |

THE FOOT ROLLER

DD Woodav soles.

smooth stone

A A

E The Seed.

B A stool.

EF Lhe Cottow.

C An Iron.

Ay) aac P Me fur

roy Ae SN

wy Me,

THE CHURKA

Eisai reas

bees

Cone i ] | Se ne ea: SER. See EES

Fane

I

CHAP. I.] GENERAL VIEW. CULTURE AND CLEANING. 17

only implement is an iron roller, but “4th Decem-

wooden soles are fastened to each of her (2%, 18%,

feet. This iron roller she places on the eee: p. 294.

Cotton, and then rolls it backwards and forwards with her feet, until the wool is fairly separ- ated from the seed, and the seed is rolled out in front, whilst the Cotton wool comes out under the stool be- hind in a continuous web. If the woman cleans this wool with her hands—picking away all the dirt, pieces of leaf, stray seeds, smashed seeds, and other ob- jectionable 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.

The Native Churka—tThe foot roller however has almost 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 rollers, and the staple is thus separated from the seed; but the wool is turned out in a matted state, with the fibres all lyimg confused in different directions, so as

to give a great deal of trouble to English

already indicated. The Natives, however,

to content themselves with beating it with

Letter of

-earders. Moreover the wool is mixed up Messrs. with all the dirty bits of leaf and seed }mroand

Cardi-:¢ and

; : Spinnin: can completely clean it by the laborious jiisitrs och process of hard picking, and they appear February, to resort to this process for home con- j ie.

‘sumption; but for exportation, they seem (Bereal, p : exportation, they see 1857): p. 369.

sticks on rattan frames, of which an amusing account

‘will be found in para. 177.

The American Saw Gin.—The American Saw Gin is a totally different machine, and is the result of

capital, ingenuity, and enterprise.

It both separates

the Cotton from the seed, and cleans the staple. It C

25

26

18 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. 1, |

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 asaw. These circular saws are to separate the Cotton wool from the seed. The larger gins contain sixty circular saws, which are © turned round by cattle machinery. The process of | separation is thus performed. Each thin circular saw passes in every revolution 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 accord- ingly 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 separate the wool from the seed. Meantime a cylinder surrounded with brushes revolves in an op- posite direction, and not only brushes away the wool from.the saw wheels, but cleanses it from all impuri- ties. 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.+ 27 The Thresher.—This machine was originally in- tended to purify the seed Cotton from leaves and trash prior to ginning; for though the brush wheel of the saw gin sufficiently 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 ofa 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 - * Description of Whitney’s Saw Gin. Cotton Reports (1836), p. 430. Here, as elsewhere, the compiler has indicated the sources of his information, though he has found it necessary to express himself

“in totally different language.

+ A descriptien of the Cottage saw gin will be found at para. 245,

accompanied by an illustration. This will be found sufficient to ex- plain the principle of the American gin.

CHAP. I. | DIVISION OF SUBJECT MATTER. 19

_ 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 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. Division of the subject matter of the present Hand- 2

book.— Having thus glanced generally at the special-

ities of the Madras Presidency, and the nature of the _ objects which the late Company have sought to ac- _ complish, it 1s 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 Presidency, between the years of 1841 and 1853, partly by practical 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 established in this Presidency in 1841, during ‘the Governorship of Lord Elphinstone; and the cul-

t

tivation of American Cotton, and employment of

' American saw gins, were carried on during four years _by three Planters and an Engineer, under the super- ‘intendence of Dr. Wight in the district of Coimba- ‘tore. At the expiration of that period, that is, in 1845, when the Marquis of Tweeddale was Governor, ‘some modifications were made in the experiment.

One of the Planters died, and the two others were Cc 2

| 20 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. I. | 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- | vernment. Instead however of joining Dr. Wight at — Coimbatore, Mr. Finnie was located in Tinnevelly. — Thus another period of four years passed away, ex- tending from 1845 to 1849, during which Mr. Finnie — was engaged in Tinnevelly, and Dr. Wight in Coim- batore. But 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 experi- ment; 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 Cot- ton, or to extend the use of foreign machinery in this Presidency.

Twelve years of Cotton Experiments, divisible into three periods of four years each. F rom the foregoing particulars, it will be seen that the narrative of the Cotton experiments 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 a narrative of the agricultural proceedings of Dr. Wight and his three Planters in the Cotton farms in Coimbatore, during |

CHAP. I.] DIVISION OF SUBJECT MATTER. 21

the four years extending from 1841 to 1845. The third 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 in Timnevelly 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 stop- page of the experiment by Sir Henry Pottinger’s Go- _vernment, and the renewal of the experiment by the - Court of Directors; together with the last proceed- ings of Dr. Wight down to his final retirement in 1853. The sixth and last chapter is devoted to a short sketch of the present condition of the Cotton culture in the Madras Presidency.

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 mat- ter of the first chapter nothing need be said, as it is purely of an introductory character. The second and third chapters, which comprise a narrative of Dr. Wight’s experimental culture m Coimbatore, will be _ found chiefly useful as exhibiting the results of Dr. Wight’s scientific experiences respecting the adapt- ability of the American plant to the climate and soil of India. The fourth chapter, comprising the story ef Mr. Finnie’s proceedings in Tinnevelly, will be found useful in a totally different way; namely, as exhibiting the experiences of a practical man, both as regards the relative conditions 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 ma- chinery. The fifth chapter is a gathering of results, which are illustrated by the discussions between Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie, the proceedings of Sir Henry Pottinger’s Government, and the decisions of the Court of Directors. The last chapter, and the ap- pendices, are chiefly important as bringing down the _ general results to the present day.

3)

CHAPTER ILI.

FOUR YEARS OF EXPERIMENTAL CULTURE UNDER DR. WIGHT)

AND THE AMERICAN PLANTERS, 1841 To 1845.

(81.) Stoppage of demand for Indian Muslins and Calicoes, but grow- ing 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 Planters sent to India, 1840.—(386.) Prevailing opinions upon Cotton Culture in the Madras Presidency.—(37.) Three Planters located in Tinnevelly, October, 1840.—(38.) Contemplated removal of the Planters to the neighbourhood of Mr. Fischer’s establishment at Salem.— (389.) First Season, 1841-42: commenced under Captain Hughes.—(40.) Reported failure mm 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: difference between the Red and Black soils.—(43.) Results of the Season 1841-42.—(44.) Dr. Wight’s plan of operations: introductien 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 ex- traneous vegetation until the crop ripens.—(54.) Native ploughs and American ploughs compared: question of whether American Cotton would thrive without ridging.

(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- Jeans, 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.) Com- parison 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

1697—1860. | IMPORT OF COTTON WOOL. i BS

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, Karly preparation 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.—

| (75.) 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 :

soil favourable but climate unfavourable.—(79.) Mr. Simpson’s opinion on , the failure of the Coimbatore Farms to extend the culture of American _ Cotton.—(80.) Recommends the appointment of a practical person to dis- , tribute seed and exhibit the gins.—(81.) Mr. Simpson’s suggestions ap- _ proved: his transfer to the Bombay Presidency.—(82.) Dr. Wight’s an- , Swers 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.

Stoppage of demand for Indian muslins and calicoes, 31

_but growing demand for Cotton wool.—During the | latter part of the last century, the conflict between i the East India Company and the Native powers, was ' equalled by the rivalry between the Cotton manufac-

turers 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

— ee

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 pat- terns were far more elegant, and the cost was less than one-third. But at the same time, git

that demand for the raw wool had sprung seaer come up, which in the present day has reached Gourtot

shee Direct such enormous limits. In 1697 the yearly quctedie

_ import of Cotton wool into Great 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

33

24 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1788—1813.

Extract Pa- pers relative to American

500 millions; and in 1860 it was 1500 | millions. Hitherto the American supply has generally been equal to the demand; |

tariff, laid

before Par- and _Whitney’s saw gin has done nearly as 1828. Cot- much for the States in the preparation of | ton Reports Cotton wool, as Arkwright’s machinery — ee has done for Great Britain in the manu-

facture of Cotton goods.

Early efforts to extend and improve Indian Cotton. | —From an early period the Directors of the late Company were naturally anxious that India should

Despatch of

take a part in the supply of Cotton. In 1788, during a temporary calm in political

eens} to attairs, the Directors ordered 500,000 Ibs. Governor” of the best Indian Cotton, and obtained Aug. 1788. reports from the Revenue Collectors of Reports on, the several districts;* but in the end (1836),p.3. only a small quantity of very indifferent

Cotton was obtained from Bombay. Still | however the Directors were not disheartened; and in 1790, and for some years afterwards, Dr. Anderson was engaged at Madras in distributing a variety of foreign Cotton seeds, obtained from Malta and the Mauritius, throughout the Peninsula of India. |

Introduction of Bourbon Cotton into the Madras Presidency.—One important result followed Dr. An- © derson’s labours, namely, the introduction of Bourbon Cotton; and this variety subsequently became na- turalized in three Southern Districts; viz., Tin- nevelly, Salem, and Coimbatore. This success is in a great measure to be ascribed to the enterprise of a private merchant named Hughes, who resided in Tin-

Royle’s Me- moirs. Parl. Return (1847), p. 28.

ersonal knowledge obtained from author- ities on the spot.

nevelly. Mr. Hughes seemed born with a genius for developing the resources of a country. Fora long time his Senna was widely celebrated as the best in the world. His cultivation of Bourbon Cotton was, however, a still greater triumph; and for more than twenty years “ Hughes’s Tin-

* Extracts from these obsolete Reports may be found in the Ap- pendix to the Reports on Cotton Wool, 1836.

1813-36.| EARLY EXPERIMENTAL CULTURE. 25

nevelly Cotton” continued to be quoted in the Liver- pool market as the best in India; and it was actually sold at higher prices than the American short stapled Cottons, and three-pence per lb. above the best Surats. Mr. Metcalfe, an American Cotton Cleaner, sent to the Presidency, 1813: efforts of the Madras Govern- ment, 1819—1836.— Meantime the Court of Directors were anxious to extend the cultivation of Cotton, and to improve the des has condition of the wool. Accordingly, in Cotto “Re- 1818, they sent out Mr. Bernard Metcalfe, Le (1836), a Cotton Cleaner from Georgia and New Orleans, to experimentalize with some American saw gins in the Cotton growing districts of Tinnevelly,

Despatch frou: Court of Directors,

Bellary, and Cuddapah. But the attempt

failed, as the Natives refused to give up $oimy™ their time-honoured churka, for such ex- Govt. to 1 d f led hi th Court of pensive and new-fangled machinery as the Directors, gin. About the same time, the Com- 18h Dec., . s . e 1816, mercial Residents in the service of the Cotton Re-

Company appear to have interested them- selves in the Cotton question; for it will

ports (1836), p. 61.

be remembered that in those days the Company was

a mercantile body as well as a political power.

1819, Mr. Rundall, the Commercial Resi- dent in Bellary and Cuddapah, drew up

In

Letters from

Mad:as a Memorial upon Cotton cultivation, in Board Trade, ; . . 27tn Mav, which he urged the introduction of Cot- i819. Cot- ton from Bourbon, Brazil, and New Or- ese

leans. Accordingly, the Madras Govern- ment established four Cotton Farms of four hundred acres each: viz.—two in Tinnevelly and Coimbatore in Southern India; and two in Masulipatam * and Viza- gapatam in the Northern Cirears. Hach Farm was placed under the direction of the Commercial Resi- dent of the district. Of these the Farm at Vizagapa- tam proved the most successful; for there the Com- mercial Resident, Mr. Heath, had largely profited by the instructions which he had received from Mr.

* Now included in the Godaveri district. See para. 9.

26 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. II.

Hughes of Tinnevelly.* In the present day the Cot- ton grown in Vizagapatam is insufficient for the home consumption of the province, and consequently sup- plies of Cotton wool are imported from the Godaveri

* Mr. Hughes’s method of cultivating Bourbon Cotton in India is worthy of notice, inasmuch as reference will be made to it here- after. Huis own account 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 fruit- ful. 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 wvol and the productiveness of the plant. (38.) As regards Culture, Mr. Hughes had ascertained that the plant would continue many years; that is, the plant might be cultivated asa 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, November, or December; but the intervals of clear weather in those months answered well for trans- planting ; and the first week of January very well, both for sowing and transplanting. (4.) Pruning should be practised twice im the year. The first and most important pruning should take place be- tween 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 diminu- tive pods. Subsequently from July to September good produce may be obtained, unless the plants are damaged by rain. (6.) 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 London for more than two shillings per pound. See | Mr. Hughes’s instructions to Mr. Heath. Stoyle’s Cotton Culture, p. 227. |

1836-40.| EARLY EXPERIMENTAL CULTURE. 27

district. In 1836, Dr. Wight was appointed by the Madras Government to report on the state of agricul- ture in Southern India; and he subsequently repre- sented that the returns of Cotton per acre were ereater in Vizagapatam 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.

Ten American Planters sent to India, 1840.—In 1840, the Court of Directors engaged ten Planters or Overseers from the Cotton better of the States in North America, to instruct the sth March, Natives of India in the cultivation and 38°. _,Pat cleaning of Cotton. This measure was _ (1847), p.2. initiated with considerable difficulty. Cap- tain Bayles of the Madras Army, who had been de- puted to the Cotton States for the purpose, managed to keep his secret for some time; but after he had engaged a few Planters, and purchased a sixty saw gin, a model gin house, and other machinery, the ob- ject of his mission eked out. The violent opposition which he then had to encounter, compelled him to carry arms, and to labour under the constant 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 com- rage munity, and the urgent representation 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 gratuity in the event of success. Three were deputed to the Madras Presidency, viz. Mr. Mor- ris, Mr. Hawley, and Mr. Simpson; and about October, 1840, these gentlemen reached their destination.

Prevailing opinions upon Cotton Cultivation in the Madras Presidency.—At this time it was the general opinion that nothing was {espatch ot wanting to promote the cultivation of ors, 2nd

: : July, 1840. Bourbon Cotton but a remunerative price. Parl’ Retwn

Parl. Return (1847), p. 305.

o

ON

28 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. II.

(1847), p.23. In Coimbatore, for instance, the Ryots at

Minute of first had manifested a distaste for its ecul- Mr. Sullivan, : : :

25th April, tivation, because,—Ist, The seed contained Learn p, no oil, and therefore the cattle would not 62. Dr, eat it;* 2nd, The demand was fluctuating ; letter, ist . and 3rd, The thread was too fine for Na- Ohne S tive manufacturers. But when it was p40. found that the Bourbon Cotton produced

double the crop per acre of the 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 24d. per lb., whilst the exporter realized from 6d. to lid. As regarded 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 bought direct by manufac- turers, but by brokers; and thus quantity rather than quality became the primary object of the grower. Jt may however be remarked generally, that the condi- tion of Indian Cotton has been gradually improving of late years. The Natives may be timid and sus- picious, but they are just as alive to their own inter- ests as any HKuropean. Three Planters located in Tinnevelly, October, 1840. Minutes of | Lae three American Planters reached Consulta- Madras just as the season for sowing was

* Captain Taylor has pointed out that this objection is a fallacy, and that cattle will eat tne 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, and Captain Taylor states that the objection accordingly died away in that quarter, and that the growth of American Cotton was con- siderably extended. Essay on the Cultivation of Cotton in India. Other authorities state that Buffaloes will not eat the American seed until they are half starved.

1840.] MR. FISCHER’S CO-OPERATION DECLINED. 29

tion, 31st

October, 1840. Parl. Return (1847), p. 306.

over. They were however despatched to the Tinnevelly district, under the superin- tendence of Captain Hughes, for the pur- pose of familiarizing themselves with the native mode of cultivation, as well as with the charac- ter of the people. At Tinnevelly the Ryots were in- vited by proclamation to come forward and receive instruction from the American Planters; and accord- ingly some Ryots about two miles off requested the attendance of the Planters. The Ameri-

cans proceeded to the locality, and pointed Here's out the defects in the native mode of (tters, 30th : arch and gathering the seed Cotton, and proceeded 3rd April, to explain their own method. The Ryots jf. ta: in return acknowledged the superiority of GD.

the American method, but urged that it was more laborious and expensive; and therefore they refused to adopt it, unless Government would pur- chase the Cotton so produced at a fixed valuation. In a word, they would neither adopt the American cultivation, nor sow the American seed, unless Go- vernment would buy the produce; and the Planters found that these sentiments were pretty general throughout the Cotton growers of the district. Contemplated removal of the Planters to the neigh- bourhood 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.

Meantime Lord Elphinstone, who was then Governor of Madras, decided on re- moving the Planters from Tinnevelly to Coimbatore and Salem, where they would be in the immediate neighbourhood of Mr.

Minutes of Consulta- tion, 10th May, 1841. Parl. Return (1847), p. 313.

Fischer, who was a large Contractor with Native Cot-

ton growers. Mr. Fischer however con- sidered that the general inferiority of the Madras Cotton arose from the vicious system of trade, by which there was a suc- cession of middlemen or brokers, from the

My. Fis- cher’s letter, 14th May, 1841. Parl. Return (1847), p. 314.

village Chetty who made advances to the Ryot in his

co

2)

39

30 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1ST SEASON.

hour of need, up to the Dubash of the European Agent at Madras who shipped the Cotton for Eng- land. Thus after each middleman had made his own profit, the smallest modicum remained to the Ryot, who consequently had no other resource but to sup- ply the largest possible quantity. Under such cir- cumstances, 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 re- ceived advances from him, to follow the instructions of the Planters. On the other hand his establish- ment would afford opportunities 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 | Hughes.—The Court of Directors disapproved of the | experimental cultivation being carried on with the co-operation of Mr. Fischer ;—1st, Because he was Despatch of 00t in the Company’s service ; and 2ndly, the Court of Because they had no desire to interfere Nee with the Cotton trade, but simply to im- ae eng prove the article; and the expressed views (1847), p. of Mr. Fischer were connected with the at commercial part of the question. The three Planters were accordingly removed to the | Coimbatore district to carry on independ-

Hipteas ent operations. Mr. Hawley and Mr. eer 6©6Simpson were to cultivate 200 acres in August, the neighbourhood of the town of Coim- is41. Parl. _patore; and Mr. Morris was to cultivate

47),p.320, a farm of 100 acres at Errode, about fifty-

(18 - five miles to the north-east of Coimba- |

tore.

1841-2.] DR. WIGHT AND AMERICAN PLANTERS. 31

Reported failure in consequence of a heavy mon- soon, January, 1842.—The American seed, consisting of New Orleans and Sea Island, was sown in Septem- ber. 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 blossoms 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. Mr. Morris ex- yy. yomes pressed his opinion that New Orleans _ letter, 22nd Cotton never would grow in India. Sea Pecember,, Island might, he thought, be produced Return upon the sandy coast, near tide water, so “SP: 8: 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.

Sudden renovation of the crop: Dr. Wight succeeds Captain Hughes, February.—On the 24th February, 1842, Dr. Wight succeeded Captain Hughes in the Superintendence of the American Plant- ers. But meantime a great change had Dr. Wight’s taken place in the crop. The bright May, ise. cloudless weather, which had lasted from Gea eae the 2nd November until the 15th of Janu- Hes ary, was succeeded by a heavy fall of rain, which had the effect of refreshing and greatly reviving 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 and full of blossom and fruit.

40

AL

32 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1sT SEASON.

42 Relative effects of the Monsoon, the Drought, and 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 commenced about the middle of September. In October, whilst the plants were still young and tender, the north-east monsoon 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 drooped, until they appeared burnt up. But meantime the soft juicy wood previously formed, acquired consist- ence and became well matured. The second rains supplied the requisite nourishment and stimulus to renewed growth, and a new formation of flower-buds. Here must be noticed a remarkable difference be- tween the effects of the Black and Red soils respect- ively 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 eondition ; whilst the Cotton in the Black soil seemed to be utterly ruined. After the second rain the state of things was exactly the reverse. The plants in the Black soil were the most flourishing, whilst those in the Red soil were less productive. Dr. Wight at- tributed these results to the different effects of the rain upon the two soils. During the first rain 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 imjurious ex- tent: consequently the plants now flourished in the Black land, but drooped in the Red land. These ob- servations are worth preserving 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.

1841-42.] DR. WIGHT AND AMERICAN PLANTERS. 83

Results of the Season of 1841-42.—The results of 43 the Cotton experiment for this year may be gathered from the following tabular abstract of the extent and quantity of the produce of the Government Farms, as the matter stood on the Ist of May, 1842.

Description of Description of | No. of |Amountof| Average per Soil. otton. Acres. | produce. Ae ES See N Ol Ibs. Ths. 02. . ew Orleans 94 15,923 169 = °6 Black Sor! . - Indian 6 1,340 223 «5 . New Orleans 6 160 26 10 a Indian 10 fies |, 4h: 2 Superintend- ent’s Farm. : New Orleans 2 125 62 8 Bed Soi” .- Indian 2 “00.1 140. 0

ee

120 | 21,991 183)? 4

Deduct for True average. wastage, 26 acres} 94 | ..... 233 14

Samples of the Cotton were sent home and reported on by Messrs. Tetley and Earle of Liverpool; but no judgment could be formed of the quality pay petum or value from the small samples sent. (1847). pp. The most important feature in the report “°° of Messrs. Tetley and Earle was, that none of the Cot- ton was more cut, and some not cut so much, in the process of ginning, as the average American supply.

Dr. Wight’s plan of operations: introduction of 4A American Culture more important than that of Ame- rican Cotton Meantime Dr. Wight seems to have arrived at the conclusion that the Pf Wight’s improvement of the Indian and Bourbon March, 1849, Cottons was of greater importance than ple the introduction of American Cottons. Accordingly, during a tour through the Cotton grow-

ing portions of the Coimbatore district, he had en- D

46

34 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2ND SEASON.

tered into agreements with the Ryots. On the one hand, he was to pay their rent and part of their agri- cultural charges. On the other hand, they were to cultivate their own Indian and Bourbon Cottons ac- cording 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 mar- ket price. To carry these arrangements into effect, he proposed to station the three Planters at three dis- tinct 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 close of the first season, the American saw gin, sent out by the Court of Directors, had arrived in Madras, and been used in Coimbatore instead of the churka, |

but had not turned out perfectly satisfac- Dr. Wight's tory. It cleaned the Cotton far more June, 1842. thoroughly than the churka; but not- ne withstanding the favourable 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.

Second Season, 1842-43: arrangement of the four

Experimental Farms.—The arrangements Dr. Wight’s already indicated are carried out at the American close of the first season. Mr. Hawley the cotton Planter was transferred to the Bombay

Agriculture, : 7th Febru- Government, but his place was filled by

* 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.

1842-43.| DR. WIGHT ON AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 385

Mr. Henry Sherman, a European born ary, 1843, and educated at Madras. Dr. Wight Here oe then established one farm at Coorchee, two at Coimbatore, and one at Oodoomulcottah, thus :—

Acres.

Dr. Wight and Mr. Sherman at Coorchee, about 200

Dr. Wight at Coimbatore, sue 00

Mr. Simpson at Coimbatore, » 9330

Mr. Morris at Oodoomulcottah, pecans 518 Three varieties of land, viz.—Black,

Red, and Alluvial—The four Farms em- Pf, Wishts

braced three distinct varieties of soil, Madras

: Govt., 10th ee Nov., 1843. Ist. Black Cotton ground. Parl. Return

2nd. Red land, formed from disinte- ieee

grated granite, and for the most part only a thin stra- tum over the subjacent rock.

8rd. Alluvial land, composed of clay and sand, which 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: method of cultivation.— These varieties of soil ie were thus distributed. Dr. Wight and ee eae Mr. Sherman’s Farm at Coorchee chiefly Cea “s consisted of Alluvial land; Dr. Wight’s sch wer Farm at Coimbatore of Red land; whilst Mr. Simp- son’s Farm at Coimbatore, and Mr. Morris’ Farm at Oodvomulcottah, were chiefly composed of Black Cot- ton 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 American system of agriculture. These Notes are by no means complete in themselves, but they are valuable as illus- trating the stage at which the Cotton experiment had arrived. Accordingly the substance is here exhibited in a classified form; but the practical reader will do

well to compare them with other results, and espe- D2

AT

43

49

36 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2ND SEASON.

cially with the more matured observations of Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie, 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 ridges, 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 into ridges, about four, five, or six feet apart, and about eight or ten inches high. The distance between

these ridges must be regulated by the rich- se ness or poverty of the soil, and by the va- Cotton Cul- riety of the Cotton grown. The object is na ~~ to keep the 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 drying influence of the sun. Accordingly im rich soils the New Orleans Cotton plants may be five feet apart, but in the poorer 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 espe- cially necessary in America, where the frequent and heavy rains of spring and summer are especially in- jurious to the young plant.

* 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 American 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 Peculiarities of the Cotton Trade in Tin- nevelly,’’ see paras. 175—178. For Dr. Wight’s Final Report, see paras. 263—281. As regards Bourbon Cotton, see Mr. Hughes’s in- structions to Mr. Heath, para. 34, note.

1842-43.] DR. WIGHT ON AMERICAN CULTURE. of

Sowing in a furrow of about two inches deep along 50 the centre of each ridge.—In the Farms at Coimba- tore 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.

Scraping out of superfiuous plants and weeds.— 51 When the plant is three or four inches high, and be- ginning 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 complete the thinning and superficial cleaning of the land. With regard to this hoeing, Dr. Wight re- marked that the American plan of scraping was de- cidedly inferior to that which he had adopted, viz.— that of freely loosening the surface 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 advanced 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 ploughing may be repeated several times, the more effectually to destroy the weeds.

Keeping down extraneous vegetation until the crop 53 ripens—By the time these various operations are completed, the plant is between two and three months

54:

55

88 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2ND SEASON.

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.

Native ploughs and American ploughs compared ; question of whether American Cotton would thrive 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, how- ever, 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 difference of ex- pense. 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 it, would cost for the whole turn out, including harness, from seventy to eighty rupees. Thus the Native plough and cattle might be pur- chased for about twenty or thirty shillings, whilst the American turn out would cost from seven to eight pounds.

Results of the second Season on the Black, Red, and Dr. Wight's Alluvial soils, 1842-43.—To return to the letter, 10th main narrative. The principal sowing for

1842-43.| DR. WIGHT AND AMERICAN PLANTERS. 89

the second season had taken place in Nov., 1843. August wd early in September; but a Genicot. small portion was sown as early as July,

and some as late as October. The season proved un- favourable, in consequence of a heavy fall of rain in April, in the height of the gathering season. Prior to this storm the appearance of the plant on the dif- ferent soils was as follows. On the Black lands it was generally small. On the Red land it was large and very healthy where the soil retained moisture, but small where the soil was thin and dried quickly. On the Alluvial lands the plants grew luxuriantiy 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, continued 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- leans, and Bourbon Cotton.—The Indian Cotton plant, according to Dr. Wight, is of slower growth than the American, 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 Jand, towards which the moisture of the upper ones is

56

57

58

59

60

61

40 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [38RD SEASON.

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

lant.

' Reports of English Brokers on Dr. Wight’s Cotton. — The proceedings of Dr. Wight received the

General let- :

ter fromthe approval of the Court of Directors. About

Court of Di. 200 bales of Cotton grown this year were Oct., 1844. sent home, and after a careful examination Parl. Return

(i847), p.370, Of the packages the following opmions were expressed by the Brokers.

Oopum (Indian) Cotton.— The staple (about 62 bales) considered to be very short and wild, but beau- tifully clean and white. No difference was discovered in the quality of this Cotton, whether produced on the Black, Red, or Alluvial soil.

New Orleans.—-The staple (about 144 bales) was pronounced 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 preference, the Red next, and the Alluvial the last. This Cotton averaged the usual price of the New Orleans in bond.

Bourbon.—The staple (about 6 bales) was found much superior to either of the other, bemg longer and finer. Being, however, partially injured in cleaning, and containing many white specks or knitters, a mixture which is considered very objectionable, the sale prices did not exceed those of the New Orleans.

Third Season, 1843-44: state of the Cotton Farms, Gins, and Gin-house.—The results of the third season Dr. Wight’s . of the Cotton experiment at Coimbatore Maris Were naturally expected to turn out better Parl. Return than those of any former years. The oct Farms were in a better state of prepara- from Court tion, and Dr. Wight and the Planters were

* This opinion was subsequently modified. The excessive moisture

was found to stimulate the growth of the stem, branches, and leaves, at the expense of the flowers, fruit, and seed. See para. 94.

1843-44.]| DB. WIGHT AND AMERICAN PLANTERS.

in a position to profit by the experience of

44

‘of Directors,

29th July, two seasons; and moreover they had more 1842. ibid. or less manured their land by ploughing in P.*3% )% the old stalks. The saw gins sent out had Madras Go- required alterations and additions, but they th July,’ were now placed in good working order 1842 Ibid p. under the direction of Mr. Petrie, an En- Dr. wight’s gineer who had been sent out from Eng- (iter, t0th land expressly to work the gins and to 1843. Ibid. superintend the repair of the machinery. Lee aE A Colaba press had also been forwarded in the Madras

: Govern-

the place of an Atlas press, which had not ment, 6th been found to work so well as had been Ty ae

expected. | Unfavourable results: their causes.—The results 62 however of this season were unfavourable, both as re-

garded the crop and the proportion of wool pr. Wight’s to seed. Dr. Wight ascribed the failure to tether TaEp

two causes :-—lst, To the circumstance that the abundance of rain brought by the north- east monsoon 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 furrow 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 American 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

1844, Lbid. p. 1.

See para. 54.

64

65

42 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [4TH SEASON.

the second and third seasons, as regarded the propor- |

tion of Cotton produced to the extent of acreage, may

be thus exhibited.

2nd Season, 1842-48. 3rd Season, 1848-44.

Acreage 9102 acres. 1,090 acres. Seed produced 207,632 Ibs. 177,126 lbs. Average per acre 228 Ibs. 162% lbs.

The proportion of wool obtained from the season in two different years is shown in the following table,

which exhibits the proportion of wool obtained from

100 lbs. of Cotton seed.

2nd Season. 3rd Season. New Orleans 292 lbs. 272 lbs. Bourbon 26°? s 263 Oopum (Indian) 222 ,, 234

Fourth Season, 1844-45: experiment of treating the plant as a biennial. —Hitherto Dr. Wight had treated 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. Accord- ingly 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 would penetrate much deeper imto the ground than they did the first. The roots would thus pass into an unexhausted soil, and would therefore be better nourished; whilst a considerable saving would be effected in the. expenses of cultivation during the second year. This experiment however ultimately ae turned out a failure. This fourth season

r. Wight’s ; letier, 16th is Chiefly remarkable for having produced a Feb, 1846. much larger and finer seed, which again (1847),p. 402. produced from three to three and a half per cent. more of Cotton wool.

Comparative produce of the four Seasons.—The average produce per acre of the four successive crops

Para. 117.

of Cotton, obtained during the four years 1842, 1843,

* See foot note to para. 34.

1844-45.] DR. WIGHT AND AMERICAN PLANTERS. 43

11844, and 1845, is exhibited in the follow- pr. Wicht’s ‘ing table. It must however be borne in Remarks on mind that the crops included all kinds of | tivation in

é 7, India, 1st Cotton,—Native, Bourbon, and New Or- Sept., 1845.

leans; and that the figures represent the Fran number of pounds of seed Cotton which *'33,"°#’»

were obtained per acre.

| 1841-42 | 1842-43 | 1843-44 | 1844-45

Farms. an =, Cotton grown.

Average| Average | Average| Average peracre.! per acre. | per acre. | per acre.

1. Super- ..e--{| 1402| 1252) 105%) 1. Principally intendent’s American and Farm, Coim- Bourbon ; soil for batore. the most part very

poor, and gener- ally shallow and

unsuitable. 2. Mr. Simp- 233) 2002 TA ott oiaiakities Laneipally son’s Farm, American and Coimbatore. some Indian

(Oopum) ; _ soil generally Black, but of very infe- rior quality.

ee Mir) Mor~ |")... 3073} 1993} 13863} 3. Principally riss Farm, American, some Coorchee. * Bourbon and

Oopum; soil Al- luvial but poor, being apparently exhausted by the first very luxurie

) ant crop. 4. Mr. Sher-|..... 2072; 284, 229) 4, First and man’s Farm, second — seasons, Oodoomul- principally Ame- cottah, | 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

aad

66

67

44 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [47H SEASON.

General result of the four Seasons of the experi- Mental Farms: necessity for a rotation of crops.—The four successive seasons of experiments fully established the necessity for a methodical rotation of crops. The first year the Farm at Coimbatore produced a larger crop than the second, notwithstanding a great propor- tion was destroyed 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 conclusion was further strengthened by an experi- ment made by Mr. Wroughton the Collector at Coim- batore. At the commencement of the fourth season Mr. Wroughton had selected 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 chmate, for though it participated in the benefits of both the south-west and north-east monsoons, yet during that season both monsoons were unusually light. The result, however, was a crop averaging nearly 1100 Ibs. per acre, of which the greater part |. proved to be of excellent quality. This extraordinary | out-turn far exceeded anything which Dr. Wight and his Planters had been able to obtain, with all their labour and pains in cultivation. Accordingly Dr. Wight determined on removing his Farms and culti- vating fresh soil.

Causes of the success of Mr. Wroughton’s Cotton © experiment.—Before proceeding further, it may be as well to remark that, in the latter part of 1842, Lord Eiphinstone had been succeeded by the Marquis of Tweeddale, as Governor of the Madras Presidency. Minutes of | The Marquis of Tweeddale is well known reap as a practical agriculturist, and naturally

tion, 2nd : : ral perl 3816. took a deep personal interest in the culti- (1847),p. 407, vation of Cotton in this Presidency. Ac- latter part of the second season, 1842-43, he exchanged Farms with Mr. Sherman. Thus Mr. Morris became located at Coorchee, and Mr, Sherman at Oodoomulcottah.

|,1844-45.] MR. WROUGHTON’S SUCCESSFUL CULTURE. 45

cordingly, the Madras Government 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, pe ones ‘which he considered to be absolutely es- and memo- sential in the cultivation of American Cot- men ane ‘ton; namely, the influence of the two mon- 1846. __ Parl. ‘soons, and the effect of an earlier sowing (8st). 409, than is practised by the Natives. 1st. Influence of both monsoons,—The peculiar influ- ence of both monsoons has already been described; as well as the physical formation of the West- vern Ghauts, through which the south-west ‘monsoon rushes at intervals, and thus affords certain tracts of country the benefit of both monsoons. This is ithe case at Courtallum in Tinnevelly ; it is also the case over a very large tract of country at the Paulghaut- ‘cherry Pass in the district of Coimbatore; and it appears also to be the case in the neighbourhood of Ootacamund. In this particular-Mr. Wroughton en- joyed an advantage over Dr. Wight. The Farms of ‘Coimbatore were shut out from the south-west rains by ranges of hills which attracted the clouds. Mr. ‘Wroughton however chose the neighbourhood of Oota- camund, where the country enjoyed the benefit of both monsoons. Here he selected an inferior land on pur- pose; inasmuch as waste lands of the same quality prevail 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 eer

See para. 7.

‘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,

2nd. Early preparation and sowing.—As regarded 6

68

~T

bo

46 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [47H SEASON.

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 vegetating too much. Care, however, should be taken not to be too late, as too much rain would prove as pre- judicial 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 pre- pared 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.

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 gradu- ally 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 en- trance 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.

Question of Manure.—As regarded manure, Mr. Wroughton had discovered that it should not be ap- plied to land in the same year that Cotton was culti- vated upon it. In fact, 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 America in the cultivation of American Cotton—Mr. Wrough- ton further remarked that three advantages were pos- sessed by his district over America in the cultivation of American Cotton ; viz.—l1st, There were fewer con-

1844-45.] MR. WROUGHTON’S SUCCESSFUL CULTURE. 47

_ tingencies to guard against; 2ndly, The soil was more congenial; and, 3rdly, Labour was 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 cultivator had six con- _ tigencies 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 Oota-

camund had yielded nearly 1200 lbs. of seed Cotton per acre, which would give 350 lbs. of clean Cotton

_ wool; whilst the average crop of the best soils in

America was only 400 lbs. of clean Cotton 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 pro-

duce much cheaper Cotton. In India the cultivation was peculiarly a family undertaking; little children plucking the Cotton, after a little practice, as well as the women.

Remunerative demand alone required in India.— 7

_ Mr. Wroughton summed up his remarks by stating _ that nothing was now required in India but a remu-

nerative demand 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 other kinds of grain, and where it was sown alone, the land was in-

y

_ sufficiently prepared. Indeed the successful and pro-

fitable culture of Cotton required the investment of

' more capital and harder labour than was encouraged _ by local circumstances and existing prices.

}

Cost of cultivation—As regarded the cost of culti-

| vation, Mr. Wroughton exhibited the following tables,

exhibiting the amount of charges incurred at Ootaca- mund 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 lbs. _ of wool, were obtained at a cost of £32.

a CAD

74

48 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [4TH SHASON.

Memorandum of charges incurred for the cultiva- tion of Cotton at Ootacamund, from Ist July, 1844, to 30th June, 1845.

Bote ad:

Assessment of about thirty acres of

cowle lands

Charges for ploughing lands

do. for weeding

do. for gathering produce

do. for taking out uncleaned Cot- ton at Coimbatore

Ginning and packing |

Value of gunny bags purchased for Cot-

ton bales, &e. Value of ropes for Cotton bales, &c. Hire for sewing gunny bags do. for conveying Cotton on carts Pay of a cooly Value of bamboo mats do. of a large bamboo basket

Total £32 0 10

a a CO Od

COOrFrF CORK bo On “I bo bo bo jae bo tO B® DY CO O11

Memorandum, showing the quantity of Cotton staple and seed produced in the field near Ootaca- mund from 18th July, 1844, to 30th June, 1845.

Bales. lbs. Cotton wool, 1st Sort ee PRS ; Qnd ,, ee bs ard |... weer ee

Total 274 6875

Aggregate produce seed Cotton in lbs. 25,450

75 Further proceedings of the Fourth Season, 1844-45. —Two other events fall into the history of the fourth season. In the first place, Mr. Simpson, one of the Planters, reported on the capabilities of the district of North Canara for the production of American Cot-

ton. Secondly, Dr. Wight, in reply to some queries

1944-45.| MR. SIMPSON ON NORTH CANARA. 49

furnished this year by the Marquis of Tweeddale, en- tered more at detail into the character and prospects of the Cotton experiments in Coimbatore. These cir- cumstances will be considered in order.

Mr, Simpson’s report on the districts of North Ca- nara, bordering on Dharwar.—In July, 5. 1844, Mr. Simpson was directed to proceed _ son's letter, to Sirsee in North Canara on the western °0i cag oe side of the Madras Presidency, for the Retwun — purpose of reporting on the suitability of (8#”)P-87- the soil and climate in the Soondah and Soopah ta- looks for the cultivation of New Orleans Cotton. These talooks bordered on the Cotton-growing dis- trict of Dharwar in the Bombay Presidency, where New Orleans Cotton appears to have been cultivated with considerable success. Accordingly, Dr. Wight considered that these localities on the very borders of Dharwar would prove equally well adapted for the American variety. |

Soondah: unfavourable from the presence of ‘‘ Kun- kur.”—Mr. Simpson considered that the soil of Soon- dah was on the whole unfavourable; there being in its composition too much disintegrated laterite rock, called by the Natives “ Kunkur.” Some lands, how- ever, were free from this objection, and might yield remunerative crops.

Soopah: soil favourable but climate unfavourable. —In the Soopah talook, Mr. Simpson thought that some of the land about Mundgood and Hullial was favourable to the growth of Cotton; but such lands, he said, could not be easily obtained; and the few that were available were covered with such immense tutts of grass, that they could not be easily prepared. Moreover the climate during the period of culture, viz. from August to the end of March, was not fa- vourable, as a cold wind prevailed which would pro- _bably prove injurious to young plants. A climate to suit Cotton ought, in his opinion, to be quiet, moist,

fs

78

and moderately warm. Again, the labouring people —

in the district were chiefly emigrants, who came up from the country on special contracts and then re- E

79

SO

50 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [4TH SEASON.

turned home. Altogether he doubted whether Cot- ton would grow in Soopah. The talook, it was true, bordered on the Cotton-growing district of Dharwar, yet it differed both in climate and soil; and that part of the Dharwar district which adjoined the Soopah and Soondah talooks for some miles inward, was not under Cotton culture, as the Natives considered that the soil partook too much of the nature of the Soon- dah country. |

Mr. Simpson’s opinion on the failure. of the Co- imbatore Farms to extend the culture of American Cotton.—Mr. Simpson next discussed the general question. Assuming that the ulterior object of the experiment was to introduce the American seed and machinery amongst the Ryots, he considered that operations should be commenced in some of the known Cotton-growing districts in the Madras Presi- dency, rather than in unknown soils like those of Canara. Again, he considered that whilst the Ameri- can system and general management of the Coimba- tore Farms might test the fitness or unfitness of the soil and climate of that region, yet they would never | induce the Natives to adopt the same system of cul- | ture. Indeed the Ryots seemed frightened at the — immense establishment at Coimbatore. They never would regard the Planters as cultivators like them- selves; but rather looked upon the experiment as some public work undertaken by the Sirkar, which they could not understand, and in which they had no concern.

Recommended the appointment of a practical per- son to distribute seed and exhibit the gins.—Accord- ingly Mr. Simpson proposed the appointment of some practical person to distribute American Cotton seed amongst the Ryots, and to exhibit the working of small-sized saw gins, and dispose of them as oppor- tunities arose. He quoted the success of Mr. Mercer, a Planter located in Dharwar, who had already dis- posed of six saw gins to the Natives in the Southern Mahratta country. He urged that the cost of such an establishment would be trifling in comparison with |

1844-45. | NEW OPERATIONS PROPOSED.

51

the sums expended on the experimental Farms at

Coimbatore.

Finally, he recommended the Bellary

district, in the neighbourhood of Hurryhur, as the best locality for commencing the operations he had

indicated. Approval of Mr. Simpson’s suggestions :

: Minutes of his transfer to the Bombay Presidency.— Consulta- The Marquis of T'weeddale seems to have eden entirely approved of the suggestions of 184 Far'. Mr. Simpson, and so also did the Court of (4847), p.3s2: Directors. Circumstances, however, ap- Free pear to have interfered with his being of Directors, located in Bellary, and his services were {f.vf2y. = transferred to the Government of Bombay. 384.

Dr. Wight’s answers to the queries of the Marquis

of Tweeddale.—In September, 1845, the Marquis of

Tweeddale submitted several queries to

: g Dr. Wight’s Dr. Wight respecting the cost of the Cot- letter, 29th ton experiment at Coimbatore, the supe- Penton

riority of the American to the Native

Return (1847), p. &87.

Cotton, the extension of the improved methods of cultivation among the Ryots, and the adoption of the saw gins by the Natives. ‘The re- turn of expenditure was so very imperfect that it need not be produced here. On the three other points, however, Dr. Wight supplied the following _ information. _ Superiority of the American Cotton to the Indian, —As regards the superiority of American Cotton to the Indian, Dr. Wight reported that the American _ was about 20 per cent. more valuable than the Indian, _or nearly as 5d. is to 33d. Again, the American seed | produced from 74 to 9 per cent. more Cotton wool than the Indian seed; in other words, 100 lbs. of American seed yielded from 283 lbs. to 30 lbs. of _ clean Cotton wool, whilst 100 lbs. of Indian seed only yielded about 21 Ibs. of clean Cotton wool.

Extension of the improved methods of cultivation among the Ryots.—Upon this point Dr. Wight’s re- _ port was not satisfactory. He had introduced the

_ American mode of cultivating and cleaning, to the ex- E 2

ol

82

83

85

52 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [4TH SEASON.

tent of having invariably carried it out himself. Very few of the Natives, however, had followed his ex- ample. He had offered them American seed to any extent; he had invited them to cultivate for him; he had even engaged to purchase the produce of the foreign seed until its market price could be ascer- tained.* But still the Natives hung back from adopt- ing either the American seed or the American cul- ture. A few Ryots promised to cultivate to a small extent, but none seemed anxious to commence. Even the Ryots who cultivated Mr. Wroughton’s field,— which yielded a clear profit of 700 rupees, after de- ducting a liberal sum for agricultural charges and ginning,—all held back from cultivating the foreign seed for themselves ; apparently on the supposition that the profitable result in that case was merely owing to extreme good luck, and that they had no hope of being equally fortunate.

Reluctance of the Ryots to adopt the saw gin.— As regarded ginning, equal facilities had been held out to the Ryots. They had been invited to ex- amine the whole process, and had been asked to com- pare the Cotton cleaned by the gin with that cleaned by the churka. Moreover the economy of the gin as compared with that of the churka had been pointed out. But still there were obstacles, and weighty ones, against the adoption of the gins by the Natives. lt involved the necessity of bringing from distant villages to the gin house nearly three bullock loads of

* The price offered by Dr. Wight for American Cotton appears to have been first 20 Rupees (or £2) and afterwards 15 Rupees (or | 30s.) per candy (500 lbs.) for clean and well-picked seed Cotton; the ordinary price of Indian seed Cotton as it comes from the field — averaging about 12 Rupees (or 24s.) per candy. Dr. Wight how- ever argued that Government would be a gainer rather than a loser by their purchases; for not only would the New Orleans Cotton fetch a higher price in England, but one candy of wool could be ob- | tained from 33 candies of seed, whilst 43 candies of Native seed were required to produce one candy of wool when cleaned by the gin. Compare Dr. Wight’s letter, 13th November, 1844, Parliamentary Return (1847), p. 371, with despatch from the Court of Directors, 8th October, 1845, Ibid. p. 384. See also Dr. Wight’s letter, 1st September, 1845, Parliamentary Return (1847), p. 392. |

1844-45. | RELUCTANCE OF THE RYOTS. 53

heavy seed Cotton to be ginned, in the place of one bullock load of ight wool. Again, the Natives urged that they lost two per cent. more by the gin than they did by the churka; in other words, that two per cent. of the impurities, which remained in the churkaed Cotton, were removed by the gin. Unless, therefore, higher prices were realized for ginned Cotton than for churkaed Cotton, the Native cultivators would be positive losers by the improved method of cleaning.

CHAPTER ITI.

FOUR YEARS OF EXPERIMENTAL CULTURE UNDER DE. WIGHT IN COIMBATORE, 1845 To 1849.

(86.) Position of the Cotton experiment in 1845.—(87.) New arrange- ments.—(88.) Mr. Morris reports unfavourably of Bellary: his death.— (89.) Mr. Finnie reports unfavourably of the Madras district : despatched to Tinnevelly.—(90.) Dr. Wight’s new Cotton Farms in Coimbatore, 1845: four points neglected in the previous experiments.—(91.) Results of four successive seasons on the new Farm, 1845-49.—(92.) Suggestions of the Manchester Association respecting sowing in May and on low soils. —(93.) Dr. Wight’s reply: First, July is the best time for sowing.— (94.) Second, Low Alluvial soils have proved a failure, but low lands near the coast are under trial,

DR. WIGHT’S NOTES ON THE ADAPTATION OF THE AMERICAN PLANT TO THE SEASONS OF INDIA.

(95.) Habits of the American plant.—(96.) Four Seasons of the American plant.—(97.) Adaptation of the habits of the American plant to the Indian seasons.—(98.) First, Seasons on the eastern side, under the — north-east monsoon.—(99.) Monthly mean temperature and mean falls of rain in the Carnatic.—(100.) Cotton cultivation under the north-east monsoon : sowing in September.—(101.) Second, Seasons on the western side, under the south-west monsoon.—(102.) Cotton cultivation under the south-west monsoon: sowing in May.—(103.) Third, Intermediate re- gions under both the north-east and south-west monsoons.—(104.) Cot- ton cultivation under both monsoons: sowing in July.—(105.) Large experiment in early sowing throughout the Cotton districts in the Madras Presidency.—(106.) First Result : India not too hot but too cold.—(107.) Theory confirmed by a comparison of the temperature of Madras with that of Vera Cruz, Mobile, and Natchez.—(108.) Rising temperature in Ame- rica, but diminishing temperature in India, during the growing seasons. — (109.) Second result: Carnatic not too dry, confirmed by a comparison of mean falls of rain —(110.) Two methods of cultivating American Cotton in India: adaptation of seasons and artificial irrigation.—(111.) Experi- ments in irrigation, securing a rising temperature to the growing plant.— (112.) Five practical suggestions.—(113.) First, Choice of soil.—(114.) Second, Preparation of the land for the seed.—(115.) Third, Ploughing and hoeing during the growing season.—(116.) Fourth, Distance between the Rows.—(117.) Fifth, Treatment of the plant as an Annual, and rotation of crops.—(118.) Profitabl: cultivation of American Cotton | throughout the Peninsula. '

1845-49.| DR. WIGHT’S FOUR YEARS IN COIMBATORE. 53

(119.) Plans for extending the American Cotton culture amongst the Ryots, 1845-49.—(120,) Court of Directors order 6000 bales of East Indian Cotton, 1845.—(121.) Proposition for reducing the Assessment of lands under American Cotton cultivation.—(122.) Marquis of Tweeddale in favour of the remission.—(123.) Court of Directors decide against <'e remission.—(124.) Failure of the purchase system as regarded American Cotton.—(125.) Contemplated establishment of a number of small Farms.

Position of the Cotton experiment in 1845.—Five 86 years had now elapsed since the American planters had first landed at Madras, and commenced their operations in Tinnevelly under the superintendence of Captain Hughes. Of this period four seasons of experimental Cotton Culture had been carried on at Coimbatore, entirely under the superintendence of Dr. Wight, with the exception of a few months at the commencement of the first season. The results, as regard the Minute by fitness of the soil and climate of Coimba- the Mar- tore for the cultivation of American Cot- ‘weeddale, ton, have been duly set forth in the pre- 7st Oct. ceding chapter. No progress however, Return | worthy of the name, had been made in “°#)?-%

_ extending the American culture and American ma- chinery amongst the Natives. This subject led to much discussion. ‘The Marquis of Tweeddale’s Govern-

ment proposed the abandonment of the Cotton Farms

_ at Coimbatore altogether; and suggested that opera-

_ tions, like those suggested by Mr. Simpson, should be

_ carried on by the Planters themselves; as practical

» men, capable of gaining the confidence of the Natives,

_and of placing before them in the clearest light the

_ superiority of American Cotton, and the improved

_ methods of cultivating the plant and cleaning the wool.

» Ultimately it was decided that both plans should be

_ carried out; that Dr. Wight should continue his ex- perimental Farming operations in Coimbatore, whilst

_ the Planters should carry on independent operations in

. Bellary and Tinnevelly.

| New arrangements.—The necessity for a rotation of 87

_ crops having been fully proved, Dr. Wight found it

|| necessary to remove his Farms in Coimbatore to new | 60. Before however noticing his operations, it is

8S

$9

56 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CH. III.

advisable to glance at the proceedings of the Planters. |

Mr. Simpson had been transferred to the |

Revere , Bombay Government, but his place was — ee al supplied by another American Planter Dec, 184.. named Finnie, who had been previously

Dr. Wight’s |

letter, 23rd

employed by the Bengal Government. —

Sept. 1845. Accordingly, Mr. Morris was despatched — eee: northwards to report upon the district of

Bellary; and Mr. Finnie was despatched eastwards to report upon the district of Madras. . Mr. Morris reports unfavourably of Bellary: his — death.—Mr. Morris reached Bellary in October, 1845, and examined the Cotton lands in the neigh-

ister 2b housed Ge Ges aee Bellary, and those a aan in the talook of Adonie, about forty-three i845. Parl. miles eastward of Bellary. He reported (1847). pp. that the soil was Black, and therefore un-

suited to the growth of American Cotton, which had thrived best on the Red lands. Again, the New Orleans Cotton requires a sea breeze, but there was no sea breeze in Bellary. He next proceeded to the Cotton-growing district of Dharwar in the Bombay Presidency, and there he found that the soil and cli- mate were far better adapted to the growth of Ame- rican Cotton than the climate and soil of Bellary, Mr. Morris however remarked that the Indian Cotton grown in Bellary was superior to the same Cotton in Dharwar. He therefore proposed that a saw gin should be erected in Bellary. The suggestion was approved. by the Madras Government, but not carried out. Mr. Morris died at Bellary on the 18th March, 1846.

Mr, Finnie reports unfavourably of the Madras dis- trict: despatched to Tinnevelly.— Meantime Mr. Finnie had been despatched to the eastern coast, to Pullicarny in the Madras district. His

Mr. Finnie’s

letter, 6th Oct. i845. report was unfavourable. He had gone Far etu™ over Pullicarny with Mr. Maltby the Col-

lector, and found that all the high land was a barren waste, and that all the low land was under water. Accordingly Mr. Finnie was directed to pro- ceed to the district of Tinnevelly in the South, and to—

«

1845-49.] DR. WIGHT’S FOUR YEARS IN COIMBATORE. 57

carry out operations there. Here it will be advisable to leave him, and return to Dr. Wight at Coimbatore. Indeed, the story of the proceedings of the next four years, that is, from 1845 to 1849, naturally divides it- self into two parts; and therefore the present chapter will comprise a narrative of Dr. Wight’s operations in Coimbatore, whilst the succeeding chapter will contain a similar narrative of Mr. Finnie’s proceedings in Tin- nevelly. Dr. Wight’s New Cotton Farms in Coimbatore, 1845: four points neglected in the previous experi- ments.—During the four years that Dr. Wight and the American Planters had been carrying Mae on the experimental culture at Coimbatore, etter, 26th four points had been neglected, which how- 42m. 1849. ever were now duly apprehended: viz.— _twrn (1857), 1st. The necessity for a rotation of crops. P18 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 pur- sued by Dr. Wight. The Natives never drew two consecutive crops of Cotton from the same land; and therefore were enabled to commence ploughing with the May rains, a process which they termed cooling the - ground; and thus they succeeded in getting their lands into a good condition before the commencement of the sowing season in October. Dr. Wight, on the other hand, had been cultivating the same lands every year; . and consequently his picking season was going on when he ought to have been ploughing; and thus he was deprived of the benefit of the best part of the rains, and compelled to sow in what the Natives called “ hot’”’ ground. As regarded the third point, his Farms had been shut out from the south-west moonsoon by ranges of hills; and accordingly had no rain from May till October. Again, his Farms had been situated at such a distance from the east coast that the north-east

-—

58 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CH. IIL.

rains were short and scanty, and the north-east monsoon was cold and dry, being unmoistened by the sea. As regards the fourth point, Dr. Wight had now discovered that the Sandy Brown Loams, generally included under the head of Red land, were better adapted to the srowth of American Cotton than the ordinary Black Cotton soil. He had never obtained more than 300 lbs. of seed Cotton per acre from the Black lands, whilst he had repeatedly obtained 500 lbs., and once 1000 lbs., from the Sandy Brown Loams; and indeed it was from this latter soil that Mr. Wroughton had once obtained 1100 lbs. per acre.

Results of four successive seasons on a new Farm, 1845-49.— Under the circumstances mentioned above, Dr. Wight removed to a locality, about ten miles to the south of his old Farm, and to a spot which was out of the influence of the hills, and consequently open to the south-west monsoon. The results of the four seasons may be stated in a few words. During 1845-46, one field which he ploughed in May, and which con- sequently was well prepared for sowing in July, pro- duced a crop of nearly 1000 lbs. per acre. Other fields of inferior quality produced crops of 500 lbs. per acre. Other fields however, which could not be ploughed before September, and which were sowed immediately after ploughing, failed to produce a good crop. The second season (1846-47) was a failure in consequence of the failure of both monsoons. The south-west monsoon did not commence before June, and then the showers were of very short duration ; whilst from June until February not a drop of rain fell. In a word, the whole country was burnt up, and the total fall of rain during the year 1846 only amounted to six inches and a half, instead of the usual average of from twenty-six to thirty inches. The result was of course a very short crop. The third season (1847-48) proved a partial failure in consequence of extreme wet. The south-west monsoon commenced in April with copious showers. The land was thus ploughed early, the seed was sown at the end of June and beginning of July, and up to the middle of October the crops were un- |

| 1845-49. | DR. WIGHT’S FOUR YEARS IN COIMBATORE. 59

usually fine. Then the north-east monsoon, which had proved a failure the preceding year, brought a rain which never ceased for three days together, until nearly the end of December. Accordingly much of the large crop was altogether lost, and much of that which was harvested was much injured. Of the fourth season (1848-49) Dr. Wight merely remarks that the crop was small. Circumstances, which will be recorded in the fifth chapter, led to his temporary withdrawal in 1849. The more particular results worked out during the four years will now be exhibited im the following paragraphs.

Suggestions of the Manchester Association respect- ing sowing in May and on low soils.—In 1847, the Manchester Association congratulated Dr. yy aspinant Wight upon the success which he had Turner's attained, but considered that he might Ben ieee achieve still greater triumphs, by sowing Pete onure earlier in the year, and by cultivating a 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, propagates itself; thus showing that its seeds ought to be in the ground at the commencement of the rains,—a season which corresponds in the district of Coimbatore to the commencement of the south-west monsoon in the month of May. Again, the New Or- leans plant reaches its greatest perfection, and yields the best staple, in the low lands of tropical Mexico. When taken from the tropics and grown in the low lands of the United States, its staple is somewhat im- paired, but still is better than Dr. Wight’s Cotton; in other words, it is rather longer, more silky, and less harsh. Why not then sow New Orleans Cotton in India at a season corresponding to its own spontane- ous sowing season in Mexico ?—and why not sow it on low lands near the coast, corresponding to the low lands where it reaches its greatest perfection ?P

92

93

94

60 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CH. III.

Dr. Wight’s reply: July is the best time for sowing. | —Dr. Wight replied to the following effect. Before Dr. Wieht’s sowing the land must be ploughed; and letter, 8th the ploughing cannot be carried out until pril, 1847. é Parl. Return Some copious showers have fallen to soften (1857),P-151. and loosen the hard, sun-baked, and im-| penetrable soil. The present Farms m Coimbatore enjoy the benefit of both monsoons. The south-west rains rarely commence before the middle of May; and then the ploughing begins, and lasts for a month or six weeks. Consequently it is impossible to sow before | July. But if we take the north-east monsoon into consideration, we shall see that the middle of July is after all the best sowing time. The plant is of rapid growth, requiring humid weather whilst growing, and dry clear weather whilst maturing. If sown in July it comes into flower about October, when the north-east rains invigorate it, and the subsequent dry season matures it. If sown earlier, the Cotton bolls are maturing at the very time when the rains are begin- ning. ‘The consequence is that the plant is surcharged with sap; and then the Cotton, instead of maturing, absorbs the sap and rots in the capsule.

2nd, Low Alluvial soils had proved a failure, but low lands near the Coast were under trial_—As re- garded the length and silkiness of the staple Dr. Wight admitted that the change was produced by the soil. Native Cotton dealers had long been aware of the fact that Indian Cotton grown on Black land had a longer and finer staple than when grown on Red

gravelly soil. But still American Cotton had been

more successfully cultivated on the Red than on the Black soil. Dr. Wight however had tried the low Alluvial lands, as more nearly resembling the best American soils than either Black clays or Red gravel. The result established the theory but not the practice. The Cotton produced was of excellent quality, but the yield was very uncertain; as a shower of rain, which would fall innocuous upon Cotton growing on a dry soil, would deteriorate half the crop on a low Alluvial. As regarded the cultivation of lands near the Coast,

1845-49.] AMERICAN PLANT IN INDIAN SEASONS. 61

Dr. Wight coincided in the view taken by the Associa- tion, and reported that the experiment was in progress ; Mr. Finnie, the Planter, having been located in the centre of Tinnevelly, which was one of the best Cotton districts in the South of India, and within about forty miles of the eastern shore.

DR. WIGHT’S NOTES ON THE ADAPTATION OF THE AMERICAN PLANT TO THE SEASONS OF INDIA.

Habits of the American Plant.—Some time after- wards, Dr. Wight entered more largely ,,. Wight’s upon the subject of adapting the time of letter to Mr.

sowing in Southern India to the habits {wner,2/th

Sept., 1847.

_of the American plant. Three things were Parl. Return

—. _ on — —_ on -

to be observed :— (1857), p. 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.

2nd, That ramy weather, or even a dark, cloudy, damp atmosphere whilst the crop was maturing, has a tendency to prevent the boll from opening at the pro- per time ; and if the opening of the boll is so checked, the Cotton becomes more or less deteriorated ; varying in degree according to the intensity of the deteriorating cause, from absolute destruction to simple adhesion of the fibres, or to mere slight discolouration.

3rd, That the prevalence of rainy weather during the period of growth promotes luxuriance and productive- ness, provided that the drainage is free ; and provided also that this humidity is exchanged for clear bright weather at the season for maturing the crop.

Four seasons of the American Plant.—The American

plant, like all other plants, must have four seasons,

VL. lst, SPRING, or season of germination, when but a

. moderate quantity of moisture is required.

2nd, SUMMER, or growing season, which calls for

more hberal supplies of moisture.

95

96

ay

98

62 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CH. III.

3rd, AUTUMN, or ripening season, which requires but little or none.

4th, WINTER, or season of rest.

In America these seasons of the plant correspond Dr. Wight’s with the natural seasons of the year; but letter, 26th in India they do not. In America the Jan, 1849. Winter months are the season of rest; but (1857),p.186. in India the summer months are the rest- Wishes Dr. ing season. Thus in India the Cotton

fe eee spring and summer occur during the rainy

s49. Ibid. season, whilst the Cotton autumn occurs p. 221. during the dry heat of February, March, and April.

Adaptation of the habits of the American Plant to the Indian seasons.— Having thus ascertained the habits and seasons of the American plant in those countries where it has hitherto been most successfully cultivated, it will be next necessary to describe the characteristics of the seasons in India. Here we must take into consideration three different localities, each encountering different influences of the monsoons.

Ist, Eastern, or Coromandel side,—under the influ- ence of the north-east monsoon. Sowing time in Sep- tember.

2nd, Western, or Malabar side,—under the influ- ence of the south-west monsoon. Sowing time in May.

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.

Ist, Seasons on the eastern side, under the north- east monsoon.—The eastern or Coromandel side of the Indian Peninsula is visited by some of the showers of the south-west monsoon, which in this quarter may be called the petty monsoon; but it is more imme- diately subject to the heavy rains of the north-east

1845-49.]| AMERICAN PLANT IN INDIAN SEASONS. 63

monsoon. The course of the seasons is accordingly as follows. The rains of the south-west monsoon, which are very uncertain in quantity, commence in the month of July, and continue in this quarter in the form of partial showers only throughout August and September. In October the heavy north-east monsoon commences, and continues with intervals of fair weather until about the middle of December, when the dry clear weather begins.

Monthly mean temperature and mean falls of rain in the Carnatic—The course of the seasons in the parts of India more immediately under the influence of the north-east monsoon, may be further illustrated by the following table of mean temperatures and mean falls of rain in Madras, during the Cotton- srowing season, as exhibited in the Madras Meteor- ological Register.

MonrTuss. August September. November. December. February. March.

Se ee

HN Heat | 846 | 83°7 | 8221789 | 763 | 75°5 | 777 | 80°8 | 83°7 Rain | 5°24) 4°76] 10° | 12°42] 325] 1°33 028 0°36] 0°63] 38°22

—————— | |! ——_—_————

April TOTAL

Cotton cultivation under the north-east monsoon :

| sowing in September.—From the foregoing table it will-be seen that during the average run of seasons in the Carnatic there is sufficient rain for carrying on all agricultural operations continuously, from the be- ginning of July until the end of December, whilst the

_ subsequent four months are nearly dry. In August and September the showers of south-west rain are sufficient for the commencement of ploughing. From the beginning of September until the middle of Octo- . ber, sowing may be carried on. The crops which have been sown before the middle of September will be in a good state for benefiting by the rains of the heavy north-east monsoon. They will thus enjoy a clear uninterrupted growing season of about three months

99

160

101

102

64 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CH. ITI.

and a half, receiving almost every week more or less copious falls of rain. By the end of that time, namely,

about. the beginning of January, the weather is dry, |

and continues so for four months. Thus by January | the plants will have nearly attained their full growth ; — and shortly afterwards they will begin to yield the crop, and will then continue to do so for nearly three | months longer. After September the sowing is not so safe, as the north-east rains are apt to be so abundant, that unless the seed has germinated and is above ground, it is liable to rot in the earth from ex- cess of moisture. Towards the end of November an opportunity is usually offered of sowing again for a late crop; but Dr. Wight believed that this late crop would always be uncertain for the following reason. The ground would be saturated with water, and con- sequently the plant would find nourishment near the surface, and would not strike deep root; the result of which would be, that when the cold dry weather set in, the plant would be impeded in its growth through the conjoint operations of cold and want of moisture. 2nd, Seasons on the western side, under the south- west monsoon.—QOn the western or Malabar side of the Indian Peninsula, which is more -immediately under the influence of the south-west monsoon, the course of the seasons is similar, only they commence earlier in the year. The first rains or showers begin in April and May. The proper south-west monsoon rains, which are more certain and copious here than on the eastern side, commence towards the end of May and beginning of June, and then continue until September. 7 Cotton cultivation under the south-west monsoon: sowlng in May.—The sowing season on the western coast should therefore be in May, so as to have the plant well above ground before the commencement of the heavy contmuous rains. Unless this be accom- plished, in other words, unless the plant has vege- tated, the heavy rains of June and July would cause the seed to rot in the ground. Whereas if the plant be above ground, the same heavy rains will promote its growth. Then again, allowing three months and

1845-49.] AMERICAN PLANT IN INDIAN SEASONS. 65

a half for the growing season, the pickings will com- mence towards the end of September, by which time the rains are over and fine weather established.* The picking should continue until the end of the year, unless prevented by excessive heat or a dry scorching atmosphere.

ord, Intermediate regions under both the north-east and south-west monsoons.—The location of the new farms in Coimbatore was rather too remote from either the south-west or the north-east monsoon. It participated in the rains of both, but not sufficiently so to enable Dr. Wight to trust entirely to either for his crop. The south-west monsoon however seems to be the one of which the influence was the most felt. The first rains fell in Apri! and May, and the bulk of the monsoon in June and July, with occasional show- ers in August and September. In October the north- easterly rains set in, but rarely exceeded a few days’ duration. November is usually a clear warm dry month. In December, cold dry parching winds set mm, and continue with more or less intensity until _ February, when they give place to soft humid westerly breezes.

Cotton cultivation under both monsoons: sowing ~ In July.— Under the condition of two monsoons, Dr. Wight was undecided for some time as to which was the best month for commencing agricultural opera- tions. One season, the early rains of the south-west monsoon fell in sufficient quantity to enable him to try the experiment of sowing in May, as suggested by _ the Manchester Association. But that crop turned out a failure. Experience proved that the proper sowing season was July and August, that is, towards the close of the south-west monsoon. By this delay one great advantage was gained. The American plant really required very little rain when it was once well above ground. Consequently it was desirable to avoid

* It would almost seem from the description in the text that the western side of the Peninsula is best adapted, as far as climate is concerned, to the growth of American Cotton, for the course of the seasons is essentially the same there as in America. See para, 161.

F

103

104

105

106

i

66 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CH. III. |

the heavy rains of the south-west monsoon, when those of the north-east were quite sufficient. By sowing in July and August the plant escaped the heavy rains of the south-west monsoon, and partook of the lighter rains of the north-east. Whereas by sowing earlier, the south-west monsoon brought the plants into full bearing just at the setting in of the north-east monsoon, which injured all the pods just as they were ready to burst. On the whole, Dr. Wight was not at this period very favourably disposed to- wards localities enjoying the benefits of both mon- soons. He anticipated more certain advantages from lands near the coast, which were subject to one mon- soon only, and which therefore did not perplex the grower by compelling him to adjust his operations, so as to avail himself of a double series of insufficient rains in the place of one ample monsoon.

Large experiment in early sowing throughout the Cotton Districts in the Madras Presidency.—The ex- A periment of sowing the seed of American

athe Cotton in the early spring rains had been fold the otto y spring several ol: so strongly urged by the Manchester Asso- Return ciation, and had been so strongly approved (87) PP. by the Court of Directors, that notwith-

standing the experience of former trials, Dr. Wight did not hesitate to try the experiment on the largest possible scale. Accordingly, American seed was distributed to the Collectors at all the Cotton- growing districts throughout the Madras Presidency, and again distributed by them to Native cultivators in the different talooks. The results mduced Dr. _.,. Wight to regard this experiment as the ele SEE M3 nantes that had Pe been made ; dau. 1819. and one which led to a far better know- turn (1857), ledge of the principles of the culture of the oa American Cotton plant in India than had then been attained.

First result: India not too hot, but too cold.—The experiment of sowing in May was tried over a wide extent of country, and seemed to establish the follow-

ing important facts. In the first place, it was seen

1845-49.]| AMERICAN PLANT IN INDIAN SEASONS. 67

that India was not too hot for the American plant, since in the Carnatic it had borne unharmed the hot winds of May and June. On the other hand, it was ascertained that the cultivating season in India was if anything too cold ; in other words, that the climate of the Carnatic during the cold months, which formed the Cotton-growing season in India, was actually colder than the summer of Mississippi, which formed the Cot- ton-growing season in America; the Americans culti- vating from April to November, and the Indian Ryots from September until April. In the first imstance, Dr. Wight had noticed the great difference between those fields, or portions of fields, which were exposed to the cold; and those which were warmly sheltered. Again on the change of the monsoon, after the north- easterly rain had ceased, and when the thermometer in the house sunk daily to 60° and 65°, he had observed that all the young plants, the produce of October sowing, ceased to grow though the soil was abundantly moist. '

Theory confirmed by a comparison of the tempera- ture of Madras with that of Vera Cruz, Mobile, and Natchez.—This theory, that the American plant in India suffered from the cold, was directly opposite to an opinion which had been expressed by Mr. Mercer, an American Planter under the Bombay Government, who had confidently asserted that India was too hot for the cultivation of American Cotton. It was how- ever fully confirmed by a comparison of a meteorologi- cal register of the Cotton-growing States 5. wit. in America with a similar register of Ma- Circular, dras. In Mississippi the sowing com- {0th March, mences in April; in the Carnatic the latter Return part of September, or even the beginning (2°72?.?)-

: E Compared of October, is considered to be the best sow- with Dr.

ing time. The following four lines of jecein cea figures exhibit the temperature of the Cot- #2”. se

_ ton season in four distinct localities; viz. ee a _ 1. Vera Cruz, 19:12 north latitude, which is one of _ the native districts of the American plant.

2. Mobile in Alabama, 30°12 north latitude.

F2

10

108

109 ©

68 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CH. IIT.

3. Natchez in Mississippi, 31:32 north latitude. 4. Madras, 13°4 north latitude.

ee fe | ee ff ee

Vera Cruz} 77°18 | 80°42 | 81°86 | 81°50 | 82°10 | 80°96 | 78°41 | 75°88 | 716 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....| 846 | 837 | 822 | 789 | 763 | 755 | 77:7 80°8 83°7

Rising temperature in America, but diminishing temperature in India, during the growing season.— From the foregoing table it will be seen that in Ame- rica the seed 1s sown at a comparatively low temper- ature, which gradually rises as the plant advances to maturity ; whilst in India it is sown at a comparatively high temperature, which gradually falls as the plant matures. In Mississippi, the seed is sown in April at a temperature of 70°, which gradually rises from month to month until July, when it nearly reaches 82°, and the Cotton is nearly ripe. In August the pickings are approaching their maximum, and then the temper- ature is as high as it is in India during the picking season of March. In India, on the contrary, the American plant bas to contend with a diminishing temperature instead of a rismg one during the growing season. Here the seed is sown in October at a tem- perature of 82°, which gradually diminishes as the plant approaches to maturity, and when the Cotton is most in need of heat and light. Thus at the outset of life, the young plant is stimulated by strong light and high temperature, neither of which is sustained through the growing season; and in January, when the state of the crop calls for a high temperature, we have it about the lowest, being nearly six degrees lower than the mean temperature of Mississippi at the same stage. This state of things must prove more. or less injurious to the health of a plant so tenacious of heat and light.

Second Result: Carnatic not too dry, confirmed by a@ comparison of mean rain fall.—Another important

fact was ascertained at this time. Mr. Finnie, the |

1845-49.| AMERICAN PLANT IN INDIAN SEASONS. 69

American Planter, had asserted that the climate of the Carnatic was much too dry; and that we could not expect to succeed in the culture of American Cotton, excepting in such places as partook of the gee paras, rains of both monsoons. This theory how- 127, 133. ever was completely disproved, and the opposite one established. The experiment already indicated was tried in the Carnatic at a season when the American plant had to struggle against a four-months’ uninter- rupted drought, a very rare circumstance; but even under such unusual conditions, the plant not only sur- vived the unusual drought, but when the rain did fall, it grew vigorously and produced a good crop. This result is further confirmed by a comparison of the 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 Car- natic as compared with that of the Cotton-growing country of Florida, is the more humid of the two.

April} May | June} July |Aug.

Florida. | 1:09 | 634 | 2°39 | 2°84 | 3°30] 435 |3°33 | 1°49 | 1:13] 26°16 Jan. |Feb.|Mar.)Apr.

Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. Madras | 5°24 4°76 10° 12°42 | 3°25! 1°33 10°28 1036 | 0°63 | 38°22

Sept. | Oct. | Nov. Dee. | Total

—— en’ —

Two Methods of cultivating American Cotton in India: adaptation of seasons, and artificial irrigation. —Two methods suggested themselves for adapting the American Cotton plant to the Indian seasons. Ist, The arrangement of sowing seasons already indicated in the localities under the influence of the north-east monsoon, or under the influence of both monsoons ; namely, that of employing the earlier weeks of the regular autumnal period as the Cotton spring season, the later weeks and part of winter as the Cotton sum-

110

mer season, and the conclusion of winter and part of *

spring as the Cotton autumn. 2nd, The employment of irrigation as in Egypt; by which course the Indian cultivator would be comparatively independent of the seasons, as by sowing in November he would secure

Lit.

112

70 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CH. IIT.

for the growing plant a rising range of temperature in the place of a falling one.

Experiments in irrigation, securing a rising tem- perature to the growing plant—Dr. Wight first tried the experiment by sowing an acre of ground about the end of January. On the 4th of February the young plants began to appear above ground. On the 10th of March many of them were upwards of a foot high, all very healthy and already showing abundance of “forms,” or coming flowers; and that too with the thermometer in the shade daily above 90°, once or twice 96°; thus proving clearly that high temperature, when there is sufficient moisture in the soil, is not in- jurious to New Orleans Cotton. This experiment however was only undertaken to establish the princi- ple, as the cloudy weather and rain in May would interfere with the perfect maturation of the crops. Had the sowing been earlier, that is, immediately after the cessation of the north-easterly rains, then a full crop would have been obtained. Fortunately the lat- ter experiment had been tried by Captain Lawford, Civil Engineer. Captain Lawford wished to prove to the Natives of Tanjore, that Cotton cultivated under — irrigation was as productive as Rice. The seed was sown in November, and the pickings commenced about the middle of February. Dr. Wight however recom- mended that in carrying out this irrigation method, the water should be sparingly applied, and that little or none should be given from the commencement of

the picking.

Five practical suggestions. — Having thus explained the principles of American Cotton cultivation in India, Dr. Wieht’s Dr. Wight proceeded to discuss five ques- kas ae tions of practical detail; viz—1st, Choice 1849. Parl. of soil; 2nd, Preparation of the land for oe the seed; 3rd, Ploughing and hoeing dur- dul. ing the growing season; 4th, Distance between the rows; and 5th, Treatment of the plant as an annual and rotation of crops. These points have already been noticed in previous paras.; but it seems

advisable to repeat the conclusions here.

1845-49.| AMERICAN PLANT IN INDIAN SEASONS. él

Ist, Choice of soil—Dr. Wight observed on this point, that the best crops of American Cotton which he had as yet seen had been obtained from dark brown, very light, sandy loams, mixed with much kunkur lime- stone ;* a kind of soil easily worked, very permeable to rain, and easily penetrated to a great depth by the roots. Red soils, which had a large admixture of sand securing for them the same properties, had also an- swered well, and were easily cultivated. Stiffer clayey soils had not answered so well, excepting in seasons when showers were frequent and kept the ground in an easily workable state; otherwise when the weather was dry, these soils were liable to bake and become very hard. Black Cotton soils had been a good deal tried at first; but still Dr. Wight considered that they had been condemned as unsuitable rather too prematurely. Subsequent consideration had led him to doubt the justice of the verdict.

2nd, Preparation of the land for the seed.—Too much care, says Dr. Wight, cannot be bestowed upon the preparation of the ground for the reception of the seed. From four to six months before the sowing time, the land should be well ploughed, the deeper the better, and then should be allowed to lie fallow. If rain fell in the interval, then a second ploughing should take place, so as to keep the land thoroughly open and

freely exposed to the conjoint action of the air and

sun; this would prevent excessive absorption of heat ; it would greatly promote fertility; and it would clean the land by exposing and killing the roots of all peren- nial weeds. Last of all, just before sowing, the ground should have a final ploughing.

3rd, Ploughing and hoeing during the growing Season.— The ploughing and hoeing during the growing season of the American Cotton plant should be regu- lated as follows. If the seed is sown in drills according to the American practice, then, whilst the plant is still small, the land should be ploughed once or twice be-

* The presence of this kunkur was the very thing that Mr.

Simpson the American Planter had urged as rendering the land unfit for the growth of American Cotton. See para. 77.

113

414

115

72 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [cH. II.

tween 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 considerable destruc- | tion during the subsequent ploughing. A second hoe- © ing is always deemed necessary, in both American and Native practice, when the “stand” should be further thinned, to an extent varying from a foot to eighteen inches between the plants. If the growth is vigorous,

_ the distance between the plants should average not

116

117

118

less than eighteen inches, but otherwise, an interval of one foot would be sufficient.

4th, Distance between the Rows.-—The distance be- tween the rows and ridges should be regulated as follows. In moderately fertile and high and dry lands, it will be sufficient to have an interval of from two feet and a half to three feet between the rows. But for moist low-lying rich soils an interval of five feet is not too much; as under such circumstances the bushes will still fill the ground, for the plant is a very strong growing one, and unless it has plenty of room the crop blights.

Sth, Treatment of the plant as an annual and rota- tion 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 ; that however promising in appearance the second year’s plants might be, he had never succeeded in obtaining a really good crop off the same bushes. He would therefore always recommend the plan of cultivating the New Orleans Cotton plant as an annual. Again, as regards rotation of crops, he would recommend that the same land should never be sown oftener than every third or fourth year, as the foreign Cotton seems to be a very exhaust- ing crop.

Profitable cultivation of American Cotton throughout the Peninsula.—The final results of Dr. Wight’s ex- perience in 1849, may thus be summed up in a few

Para. 64.

-1845-49.| DR. WIGHT’S FOUR YEARS IN COIMBATORE. 73

words. He considered that, under the ), won ; 2 Ne : r. Wight’s

guidance of the principles already laid letter, 26th

down to suit particular localities, the cul- #8.

tivation of American Cotton might be suc- (1857), p. 189.

cessfully carried on throughout the Penin-

sula, excepting perhaps on the high table-lands where

the climate is too cold.

Plans for extending the American Cotton Culture 119 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 Ryots.

Jt has already been seen that prior to removing his Farms in 1845, Dr. Wight had endeavoured to extend the cultivation of American Cotton amongst the Ryots, partly by distributing American Cotton seed, but chiefly by engaging to purchase the produce at a higher rate than the market value in India; this higher rate being adjusted to the relative market prices of Ameri- can and Indian Cotton in the home market. Dr. Wight considered that this step was necessary to secure the Ryot against personal loss, until the American Cotton should have obtained an estab- lished market value in India. These offers however failed to encourage the Ryots. For some time they held back altogether, but at last in the

first season at the new location, viz. in De eee 1845-46, some Ryots were induced to Feb., 1846. attempt the cultivation. Unfortunately, (i; ¢"os instead of sowing the American seed in Dae . July and August, they waited until the setting in of ‘the north-east monsoon, and thus sowed it in October with the Native plant. Accordingly, the experiment turned out a failure, and no purchases appear to have been made.

Court of Directors order 6000 bales of East India 120 Cotton, 1845.— Meantime the Court of Directors had directed that 5000 or 6000 bales of East pegnatch of India Cotton, cleaned by the saw gin, _ the Direct-

should be sent out to England at one time, Nov ie

See para. 84.

121

74 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CH. III.

Parl. Return 22 order that some conclusive result should — (1847), p.398. be arrived at respecting the merits of the article. This necessitated large purchases |

of Native seed.Cotton from the Ryots, for the purpose of submitting it to the action of Dr. Wight’s saw gins | Parl Return 2b Counbatore. In 1846-47 nearly £1200. (1857), pp. or 12,000 rupees were expended ; in 1847-48 | ae the purchases reached £2100, and in 1848-49 they amounted to nearly £2600. | Proposition for reducing the assessment of lands under American Cotton cultivation—In 1847, the redhat Manchester Association had recommended Mr. Aspinall that the whole of the 6000 bales should fp asa = consist of American Cotton. Accordingly Parl. Return Dr. Wight began to consider how to extend | (1847),p.424. the cultivation of the foreign article. He at once made known to the local merchants who fre- quented the gin-house, that he was in expectation of orders for stopping the purchase of Native Cotton; and he again offered to supply American Prem iatn seed and to purchase the produce, but June, 1847. without any apparent success. Accord- ae) oe ingly he proposed that a remission of 25 per cent. should be made, for a term of

three or five years, on all lands under American Cotton Mr-Wrough. Cultivation. Mr. Wroughton, the Collector ton’s letter, © Of Coimbatore, stated in reply, that in 1833, iain Sune. Government had offered to remit one half ae uct of the fixed assessment on the same pro- Pp viso; but that even that larger encourage- ment had failed to produce any extension of the cul- tivation, and therefore Government had deemed it | inexpedient to continue the indulgence. Mr. Wrough- ton at the same time expressed an opinion that any such interference with the long-standing survey settle- ment of the district was a very dangerous and doubtful experiment, and likely to be productive of much con- fusion and irregularity ; and he suggested that if the amount of the proposed remission of 25 per cent. should be deemed necessary for the extension of the American Cotton cultivation, the amount should be

1845-49.]| DB. WIGHT S FOUR YEARS IN COIMBATORE. 75

added to the price given for the Cotton when produced, in lieu of a reduction of the rent of the soil. Dr. Wight however had already offered this increased price for the American Cotton, but without effect.

Dr. Wight’s

Accordingly he applied to the Madras Go- oo ge 2 - une, n

vernment to renew, for a further period of Pari’Return

five or ten years, the orders of 1833, grant-

(1857), p. 153.

proposed remission.

ing 50 per cent. remission on all lands under American Cotton cultivation.

Marguis of Tweeddale in favour of the remission, —The Marquis of Tweeddale was in favour of the pro- posed remission. He considered that if ee granted, it would only bring a larger fe Marque breadth of land under the plough; inas- of Tweed- much as a foreign demand for the Ameri- Sept., 1847. can Cotton of India would in no way in- Sean

terfere with the Indian demand for its own raw produce; consequently the same extent of land would still be cultivated to meet the wants of the home consumer, and the same rental would be received by Government ; the only difference being that more waste land would be taken into cultivation to meet the foreign demand for American Cotton of Indian growth.

Court of Directors decide against the remission.— The Court of Directors refused their consent to the They considered it

j P , Despatch would be an obvious violation of the gene- fromthe ral principle, which prescribes that the as- Court 9 Di-

sessment shall be regulated by the capa- July, 1848.

|

Par]. Return

bility of the land, without any reference to (4857), p. 180.

the particular description of produce which might be raised from it. Again, even supposing that

American Cotton could be cultivated with profit only when half the rate of assessment was remitted, and that this profit would cease when the rate of assessment

was again raised to its original amount, this fact would

_ simply prove that the remission was forcing a factitious

not be carried on.

{

f

cultivation, which under ordinary circumstances could However, it was the belief of the

| Directors that no such reduction was required in the | province of Coimbatore; for the out-turn of American

122

1

3

124

76 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CH. III. |

Cotton per acre was much larger than that of Indian > Cotton, and at the same time far more valuable in the — English market. The real difficulty in the way of | inducing the Ryots to extend the cultivation of the American Cotton, was the want of a steady demand | for the article in the district in which it was grown. | That difficulty however was removed for the present by the permission, which had been given to Dr. Wight, to purchase American Cotton from the Ryots on account of Government at remunerating prices.

Failure of the purchase system as regarded Ame- rican Cotton, 1848.—Meantime however the purchases Dr. Wight’s Of New Orleans Cotton effected by Dr. letter, 2nd = “Wight were insignificant in the extreme.

June, 1848. ; : : Parl. Return He was by no means sparing in his offers

“(1857),p.181. of high prices. Whilst Native Cotton was

sold to him at the gin-house for eight annas (or one shilling) a maund of 25 lbs., he had announced that he was prepared to purchase all first-class New Orleans Cotton at double the price, that is, at one rupee (or two shillings) per maund. But still the Natives were so averse to depart from their established customs, that he had only been able to persuade a small number to cultivate the foreign plant. At the same time the Cotton markets in Coimbatore had been so sparingly supplied with purchasers during the two previous sea- sons, that but for the Court’s order for 6000 bales of oin-cleaned Native Cotton, the trade must have been almost at a stand-still.* Under such circumstances, Dr. Wight seriously thought of proclaiming throughout the district, that for the future he should only buy Ame- rican Cotton ; and that he was prepared to purchase all of that description which might be offered for sale. He was aware that there were strong objections to this course ; but whilst so many Kyots offered their Cotton

* Tt 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

tival, They would rather purchase elsewhere, and leave the field open to Dr. Wight. |

|

1845-49.| DR. WIGHT’S FOUR YEARS IN COIMBATORE. 77

for sale at his gin-house before they took it elsewhere,

he considered that the plan might be attended with beneficial results. These explanations, he trusted, would prove that the failure to induce the Ryots to cultivate American Cotton did not arise from any want

_of encouragement, as a ready market and high prices | were offered to all comers.

Contemplated establishment of a number of small

_ Farms.—In the early part of 1849, Dr. Wight con-

sidered of a new plan for extending the p, wienvs

. cultivation of the American Cotton amongst _ letter, 26th

the Natives. The principles of the culture sai meraeh

_he considered to be fully established, whilst (1857), p. 189. _the practice had been simplified to the utmost. He _ therefore proposed, after the close of the season 1848-49, _to form a number of small Farms, of from twenty to

fifty acres each, to be cultivated by hired labour under the direction of Native Maistries, in the hope of familiarizing all classes of cultivators with the im-

_ proved practice, and satisfyig them that American _ Cotton could be cultivated by their own implements with as much care, cheapness, and certainty as the

Native plant, whilst the produce was far more valuable.

_ At the same time he contemplated diminishing the extent of his own Farms, in order to allow of more leisure for superintending the smaller detached ones above described. Meantime, however, circumstances _ had arisen which led to his temporary retirement from

the Cotton experiment. These will be found narrated

in the fifth chapter. But before drawing attention to _ these matters, it will be necessary to review the pro- ceedings of Mr. Finnie in Tinnevelly, to which accord- ingly the next chapter will be devoted.

12:

CHAPTER IV.

FOUR YEARS OF EXPERIMENTAL CULTURE UNDER MR. FINNIE IN TINNEVELLY, 1845 to 1849.

(126.) Labours of Mr. Finnie and Dr. Wight compared.—(127.) First Season, 1845-46: Mr. Finnie’s first impression of Tinnevelly.—(128.) | Suggestion that by acting as a Cotton Agent he could induce the Ryots to adopt the new culture.—(129.) An Agency would also increase the profits of both Ryots and Merchants, and double the exports.—(130.) Nothing however would induce the Ryots to adopt the American Saw Gin.—(131.) The Thresher recommended.—(132.) Three points in the career of Mr. Finnie : the New Orleans Cotton, the Agency, and the Saw Gin.—(133.) Cultivation of Cotton: tour to Courtallum, under both monsoons, 1846.— (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 Coimbatore, July.—(138.) Preparations for assisting Dr. Wight in com- pleting the Court’s order for 6000 bales.—(139.) Mr. Finnie permitted to act as Agent: restricted to Cotton ginned and prepared on the American principle, August.—(140.) Restriction removed.—(141.) Mr. Finnie’s | first year’s proceedings with the Churka, Thresher, and Gin.—(142.) Queries | submitted to Mr. Finnie by the Marquis of Tweeddale.

MR. FINNIE’S ‘‘ NOTES ON COTTON CULTIVATION IN AMERICA AND INDIA.”’

(143.) Early cultivation of Cotton in America: compared with the pre- sent cultivation in India.—(144.) Climate discovered to be of more im- portance than soil.—(145.) Nature of the lands in America, on which the American plant is grown.—(146.) Manure: consisting of old stocks and rotten seed buried in a furrow between the rows.—(147.) Climate: very humid at night but hot in the day.—(148.) Rotation of crops: alternation with Indian Corn occasionally necessary.—(149.) Capital required in American cultivation.—(150.) Successive operations necessary to raise a crop: cleaning old land and clearing new.—(151.) Planting.—(152.) “Scraping”? or hoeing. —(153.) Gathering. — (144.) 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-house, Gins, Press, and Driving Machinery.— (157.) Price of land: fluctuates with the price of Cotton.—(158.) Mini- — mum price at which American Cotton could be produced, four pence per pound.—(159.) Prospects of India: labour in America and India com-

1845-49.| MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 79

pared.—(160.) Reduction of the Indian Land-tax on Cotton grounds would neither benefit the Ryot nor extend the culture.

(161.) Mr. Finnie’s second season, 1846-47: planting operations suc- ceeded at Courtallum but failed at Sevacausey.—(162.) Mr. Finnie is disappointed as an Agent.—(163.) Mr. Finnie’s second year’s operations

with the Churka, Thresher, and Gin.—(164.) Sale of two Gins to neigh-

bouring Zemindars: their failure.—(165.) Cotton Brokers rather than Zemindars should be induced to adopt the Gin.—(166.) Mr. Finnie’s pro-

osal for erecting a Gin-house and Cattle-driving Machinery in Tinne- velly.—(167.) Purchase of Cattle-driving Machinery sanctioned ; relative cost of cattle labour and manual labour.—(168.) Change in Mr. Finnie’s views as regards the Cattle-driving Machinery.—(169.) Mr. Finnie’s explanation of his apparent inconsistencies.—(170.) Mr. Finnie’s general objections to the Gin discussed by Dr. Wight.—(171.) Mr. Finnie’s pro- position for erecting a Gin-house of two storeys: the lower one for the Driving Machinery and the upper one for the Gins.—(172.) Hire of a temporary Gin-house at Aroopoocottah.—(173.) Erection of three Gins and a Thresher: their effect upon the Natives.—(174.) Testimony of the

Brokers that dirty Cotton was more profitable than clean Cotton.

MR. FINNIE’S NOTES ON THE PECULIARITIES OF COTTON TRADE IN TINNEVELLY.

(175.) Systematic adulteration of Indian Cotton: transactions between the Ryots, the Brokers, the Chetties, and the European Agents.— (176.) The Ryot: improvident and helplessly in debt.—(177.) The Broker:

adulteration of the Cotton by the “ Devil’s dust”? system.—(178.) The

Chetty : tricks played with the European Agent. (179.) Conclusion of the season of 1846-47: difficulties in the way of

- conducting the ginning operations at Aroopoocottah.—(180.) First, High

prices demanded by the Ryots for their seed Cotton.—(181.) Second, Heavy expenses of ginning.—(182.) Necessity for improving the con- struction of the Gin.—(183.) Third season, ]847-48 : stage of the Cotton experiment in Tinnevelly.—(184.) Planting operations : successful culture

of American Cotton in the Courtallum valley.—(185.) Unsuccessful cul-

ture at Sevacausey, Virdooputty, and Aroopoocottah.—(186.) Agency

operations: Mr. Finnie requests permission to proceed to England to

consult with the Cotton Manufacturers.—(187.) Operations with the

' Churka, Thresher, and Gin: meeting of Cotton Brokers of ‘Tinnevelly.—

| (188.) Cost of cleaning with the Thresher and Churka as compared with

that of the Gin.—(189.) Cost at which clean unadulterated Cotton might be supplied.—(190.) Recommends the introduction of small hand-threshers

and cheap presses.—(191.) Small hand-threshers and presses sanctioned.—

(192.) Mr. Thomas believed that Cotton was not adulterated by design,

_ and that good Cotton was often sent home.—(193.) No market or Agency _ required in Tinnevelly.—(194.) Cultivation of New Orleans Cotton, and improved cleaning, the main points.—(195.) Mr. Finnie’s design for a

cheap Cotton press.—(196.) Mr. Finnie’s sample of Churka-cleaned Tinne-

_ velly Cotton equal to peas ne) Madras Government refer the

sample to Dr. Wight, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Court of

| Directors.—(198.) Dr. Wight’s report: Mr. Finnie’s sample is “good

80 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1sT SEASON.

39

Tinnevelly,’” which no one could mistake for American.—(199.) Large shipments of Churkaed Cotton contrary to the orders of the Directors.— (200.) Dr. Wight’s system of purchase compared with that of Mr. Fin- nie’s.—(201.) Madras Chamber of Commerce confirm Dr. Wight's valu- | ation of Mr. Finnie’s Cotton.—(202.) Manchester Commercial Association pass asimilar judgment upon the Cotton.—(203.) Fourth season, 1848-49: proposed extension of planting operations.—(204.) Mr. Finnie’s matured | judgment against the culture of American Cotton or use of the American | Gin.—(205.) Pronounces in favour of the Indigenous Cotton and Native Churka.—(206.) Native Cotton should first be threshed, next churkaed, and finally cleaned by hand.—(207.) Erection of Mr. Finnie’s Gin-house and Driving Machinery at Sevacausey.—(208.) Relative cost of the Churka, the Hand-gin, and the Cattle-gin.— (209.) Mr. Finnie refused permission to extend his operations to Coimbatore.

126 lLabours of Mr. Finnie and Dr. Wight compared. In the two preceding chapters, we have seen Dr. Wight engaged in Coimbatore in endeavouring, by successive experiments, to lay down the true principles of Cotton culture in the Madras Presidency; and also in endeavouring, by large purchases from the neigh- bouring Ryots, to fulfil the order of the Court of Directors for 6000 bales of ginned East India Cotton. Meantime, that is, durmg the second period of four years, extending between 1845 and 1849, Mr. Fimnie had been engaged in a totally different line of opera- tions in the South. From the very first, the latter gentleman evidently had no heart in the efforts that were being made to introduce the cultivation of Ame- rican Cotton and the use of the American Machinery into this Presidency ; but whether he acted from a sincere conviction of their inutility, or whether, as a patriotic American Planter, he systematically endea- voured to throw cold water upon the objects in view, must be entirely left to the judgment of the reader. It will be sufficient to say that, as regarded both the New Orleans plant and the saw gin, he did as little as he possibly could; and that, if he exerted himself at all, it was chiefly to vaunt the Native Cotton and the Madras churka. In other respects however the narra- tive of his labours will prove highly valuable. As a Planter, he possessed a practical knowledge of Ameri- can Cotton cultivation as it was carried on in the

1845-46. | MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 81

Southern States ; whilst during his residence in India, he had familiarized himself to a considerable extent with the character of the Ryots, and with the mode of carrying on the Cotton trade in this country. Both these points will be largely illustrated im the following paras. ; and as Mr. Finnie was also a man of sense and shrewdness, his own observations, extracted and con- densed from his official letters, will throw considerable light upon the actual condition of the Cotton trade and cultivation in the Madras Presidency; though they may convey a generally unfavourable impression re- specting the possibility of any great improvements

being speedily carried out through the aid of American

- a es ~—

= one = — -

— oo cm

seed or American machinery.

First season, 1845-46: Mr, Finnie’s first impres- sions of Tinnevelly.—Mr. Finnie proceeded to Tinne- velly in October, 1845. His ostensible objects were to distribute American Cotton seed amongst the Ryots, and to exhibit the working of some small-sized saw gins. It seems also to have been expected that he should cultivate some American Cotton, partly to test the capabilities of the district, and partly to instruct the Natives in the improved method of cultivation. On reaching Tinnevelly however he found that the sowing season was over, and accordingly he could do little beyond recording his first impressions, and submitting a plan of operations to the authorities. As wr. Finnie’s regards the capabilities of the Tinnevelly [etter, 6th district, he appears to have at this time Parl. Return formed a favourable opinion. Both the (847,P. 417. New Orleans and the Sea Island varieties might, he

' thought, be grown in Tinnevelly ;—the New Orleans in ' the vicinity of the hills, where it would receive the

benefit of both monsoons; and the Sea Island on the coast, about seven to fifteen miles from the sea, where it would be near enough to enjoy the benefit of the sea

' breeze, and far enough off to secure a better soil than

could be obtained immediately on the shore. As re- gards the Native cultivation he was less sanguine. The

_ Natives sowed their Cotton broad-cast, frequently with ‘ other kinds of produce, and then left it to take its

G

127

128

129

82 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [18ST SEASON.

chance; so that it was a mystery to him how they obtained a Cotton crop at all. If however they could only be induced to pay more attention to the cultiva- tion, to plant their Cotton by itself and after a more regular fashion, and to gather their crops in a cleaner style, the ordinary Native Cotton might soon be ren- dered equal to Upland Georgia. There would how- ever be considerable difficulty in persuading the people to adopt an improved culture and improved machinery. Europeans might carry on their new methods for ages with the greatest success, but the Natives would never follow their example, but would consider the whole operation to be a peculiar trick on the part of the Europe gentlemen, in which they had no interest or concern.

Suggestion, that by acting as a Cotton Agent, he could induce the Ryots to adopt the new culture.— Under these circumstances, Mr. Finnie proposed that he should be allowed to act as an Agent for the pro- duce of Cotton. Thus, whilst as a Government serv- ant he would be teaching the Ryots an improved method of culture, he would as a Commercial Agent be engaged in affording them direct encouragement to carry his agricultural precepts into practice, by offering them higher prices for the Native article. He there- fore proposed to set up a “ Tinnevelly Cotton Agency ;” and either to make large shipments of Cotton to the Court of Directors, or to announce by circular to the different merchants at home that he was prepared to supply the article.

An Agency would also increase the profits of both Ryots and Merchants, and double the exports.—Mr. Finnie’s arguments were not unlike those of Mr. Fischer already noticed in para. 38, and may be ex- hibited thus. The Cotton in this country goes through too many hands. The Cotton is purchased from the Ryots by the Native Chetties, who again sell it to the European Agents on the coast, who again are not buying it for themselves, but for European merchants in England. Thus the Chetty cheats the Ryot from whom he buys, and the Agent to whom he sells, and

|

1845-46. | ME. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 83

the price of the Cotton is further swollen by the charges of the European houses of Agency. In Tinne- velly, upwards of 50,000 candies of Cotton are shipped every year at a cost of some 25 lakhs of rupees, or £250,000 ; the mere shipment of which occupies eight Agency houses on the coast, whose charges alone are equal to 12 per cent. on the whole. All this Cotton, he represented, might be shipped by one or two Agency houses, which would so far reduce the expenses as to encourage the home merchants to largely increase their trade. Again, by purchasing direct from the Ryots, the iniquitous services of the Chetties would be dis- pensed with, and the Ryots would reap the full reward of their labours.

Nothing however would induce the Ryots to adopt the American Saw Gin.—<As regards separating the staple from the seed and cleaning it for the home mar- ket, Mr. Finnie believed that nothing, not even an

- agency, would induce the people of India to recognize

the advantages of the American saw gin. The circum- stances of America and India, in respect to the use of this machine, were altogether different. In America, where slave labour was valuable and time was money, a Planter could invest his capital profitably mm ma- chinery. In India, on the contrary, the bulk of the people were not employed for one-third of their time, and a man was willing to labour for three rupees a month, during which period he would in his own rude way clean a candy of Cotton, or 500 lbs. Was it likely therefore that a Native would pay four rupees for having a candy of Cotton cleaned in six hours by an American gin? Ifthe man could get no employment during that month, he would lose the whole four rupees ; and even if he did get work elsewhere, he would still be the loser of one rupee. Again, when the Cotton was separated from the seed, the seed was still useful to the people as food for cattle, but it could be of no value to an Agency. If however an Agency were established in the Cotton districts for the purchase of the Cotton seed, and if the Natives agreed to give a fair price for

| the seed after it had been separated from the Cotton,

G2

130 .

181

84 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1ST SEASON.

then it might be worth the Agent’s while to. employ the gin, for the sake of the superior cleanness of the ginned Cotton. But it must be borne in mind that the carriage of the seed and staple to the Agent’s gin- house would be infinitely more expensive than the carriage of the staple alone; and that the carriage of the seed back again after the ginning would prevent the people from giving much for it. If therefore, from the increased cost of carriage, the price of the staple and seed, before separation by the Agent’s gin, was equal to the price of the staple and seed after separ- ation by the Native churka, it was clearly impossible that the extra outlay for ginning could be made to ay.

: The Thresher recommended.— Under such circum- stances, Mr. Finnie considered it best to leave the people to separate the staple from the seed by the churka; and to employ some machime which could clean the dust and trash out of the wool. For this purpose he recommended the “thresher” already de- scribed in para. 27, as cleaning the Cotton prior to its separation by the churka as effectually as the brush- wheel cleaned the Cotton after it had been separated by the saw gin. But notwithstanding this expression of opimion, Mr. Finnie was prepared to set up saw gins worked by cattle, and to exhibit their working to the people. He was indeed expecting the arrival of a thresher from Calcutta; but this he proposed to set up together with the gins, as both gms and thresher could be worked by the same driving machinery. Meantime however he intended to ascertain if the people would use gins worked by hand, provided the machines were let out on the toll system. Accordingly he asked and obtained three hand gins from Dr. Wight, two of twenty-five saws each and one of twenty saws.*

* These remarks of Mr. Finnie against the employment of the American gin in India were subsequently referred to Dr. Wight, whose reply will be found at para. 170. For the sake of clearness, | however, it will be advisable to continue the narrative in exact — chronological order.

1845-46. ] MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 85

Three points in the career of Mr, Finnie: the New Orleans Cotton, the Agency, and the Saw Gin.—It will be seen from the foregoing paras. that the three objects which Mr. Fimnie had put forward were con- nected with the cultivation of New Orleans Cotton, the encouragement of the Ryots by purchasing Cotton as an Agent, and the introduction, or rather non-intro- duction, of the saw gin. Accordingly, in narrating his proceedings the three lines of operations here indicated will be kept distinct as much as possible. Thus, in noticing the proceedings of each season, we shall relate, first, what Mr. Finnie achieved in reference to the cultivation of American Cotton, either by himself or by the Natives; secondly, what success attended his opera- tions as a Cotton Agent; and, thirdly, what he actually did as regards the churka and the saw gin.

Cultivation of Cotton: tour to Courtallum under both monsoons, June, 1846.—I¢ has already been stated that Mr. Finnie reached Tinnevelly too late in the year 1845 to attempt the cultivation of American Cotton during that season. Also that he had been strongly impressed with the opinion that New Orleans Cotton would grow wherever the country enjoyed the benefit of both monsoons. Accordingly in June, Mr. Finnie’s 1846, Mr. Finnie proceeded on a tour to ‘etter, 20th Courtallum in the western portion of the Parl. Return Tinnevelly district, which les under the (18°): P-263. range of mountains between Tinnevelly and the Native state of Travancore, and which enjoys the influence of both the north-east and south-west monsoons.

Necessity for the co-operation of the Natives: em- ployment of hired labour by the European always a loss— Mr. Finnie’s ultimate object was to test the capabilities of the large area of country, thus peculiarly situated, for the cultivation of the New Orleans variety. But his more immediate object was to interest the people directly in the new cultivation, by inducing some of the more influential Ryots to plant an acre or two each, on their own account, but according to his directions. Nothing indeed could be done without the co-operation of the people; for it was an established

132

133

134

136

86 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [18ST SEASON.

fact, that if the people would but adopt the improved agricultural method, they could always produce the raw material, whatever that material might be, very much cheaper than any European could do by the hired labour system. Mr. Finnie knew from experi- ence that the hired labour system afforded such numer- ous opportunities for peculation, that it was impossi- ble for a capitalist to follow that system with any profit in India in the growth of any article whatever.

First intercourse with the Ryots: allays fears and suspicions.—On the Ist 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 Ryots, who asked for an ex- planation of his object, and at the same time expressed their own doubts and fears. First, they thought that Mr. Finnie aimed at getting possession of their lands ; but he assured them that he wanted nothing beyond the bare trial of the experiment, on a small scale the first year, and then if successful on a larger scale the next. Secondly, they expressed a fear that, if the new Cotton succeeded, the Government would raise their assessment ; but upon this pomt he succeeded im satis- fying them. Thirdly, the question arose as to where they should sell the new Cotton. This last argument | Mr. Finnie had as yet no authority to parry; but at | last he made himself responsible, and promised to take all the new Cotton off their hands at the real value of the article.

Explains the improved method of culture to the Ryots.— Having thus satisfied the scruples of the Na- tives, Mr. Finnie went out and planted a small field be- fore their eyes. At their desire he then accompanied them into the country to look at their fields; and the 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 asking for seed. These results en- couraged Mr. Finnie to believe that the people would speedily cultivate the American Cotton throughout the whole area under the influence of both monsoons; whilst | those who only cultivated the Native Cotton under the |

1845-46. | MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 87

north-east rains would gradually adopt the new plan of sowing in rows, and of ploughing between the rows.

Mr, Finnie’s tour from Courtallum to Coimbatore, July.—On the lst of July, Mr. Finnie set es ‘out from Courtallum on a kind of explor- a, ee ing and itinerant Cotton planting expedi- Return tion, along the foot of the hills northwards 8°”) P-88%- to Coimbatore. During this tour he was disappointed as to the extent of the area of country enjoying the benefit of both monsoons. Soon after leaving the vicinity of Courtallum, he found the land deprived altogether of the south-west monsoon ; and all was arid and sterile, until he had advanced beyond Pulney in the Madura district, and reached the borders of the district of Coimbatore. ‘There, however, the south- west monsoon rushes through the Paulghatcherry Pass, and fertilizes a large extent of country.

Preparations for assisting Dr. Wight in completing the Court’s order for 6000 bales—During Mr. Fin- nie’s short stay at Coimbatore, Dr. Wight had an opportunity of conversing with him, fie. oght* upon the exertions necessary for complet- July, 1846. ing the order of the Court of Directors (57), <¢'See for 5000 or 6000 bales of ginned Hast In- dian Cotton. Dr. Wight had already despatched three saw gins to Mr. Finnie, and he subsequently applied to the Madras Government that Mr. Finnie might be permitted to purchase seed Cotton for ginning.

Mr. Finnie permitted to act as Agent: restricted to Cotton ginned and prepared on the American prin- ciple, August.— Meantime, Mr. Finnie’s yy. utes of request to be permitted to act as a private Consulta- Agent for the purchase of Cotton had fey? 38i6, been refused. The Madras Government Parl. Return expressed itself fully aware of the import- ai a ance of securing a local market to the Cotton growers, but considered that Mr. Finnie as a Government servant could not engage in commercial adventures. Subsequently, however, the Madras Government dis- covered that the privilege asked by Mr. Finnie had already been granted by the Bombay Government to

138

139

88 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1ST SEASON.

Mr. Simpson, another American Planter, on the very eround urged by Mr. Finnie; namely, that if the Planters appeared as purchasers, their mstructions would command greater attention than would be given to mere abstract recommendations. Accordingly, a Minutes of - Simular permission was granted to Mr. Fin- Consulta- nie, but under the same restrictions as

. tion, 10th

140

141

Aug. 1346, those imposed at Bombay; namely, that ft) ae the purchases should be restricted to Cot- "ton ginned and prepared on the American principle.

Restriction removed,— Mr. Finnie appealed strongly

against the restriction to ginned Cotton. Mr. Finnie’s He repeated all his previous objections to Aug. 1846. the use of the gin. He again stated that Te what was wanted was .a machine hike a thresher to clean the staple, before the people had separated it from the seed by the churka. At the same time Mr. Finnie requested permission to connect himself with a house or houses of Agency, as Minutes of be found it impossible for an isolated in- Consulta- dividual to trade in Cotton. Both these Rae requests were conceded by the Madras eee ae Government; and thus Mr. Finnie was Pe“ allowed to act as general Agent for the supply of Cotton, and to connect himself with any of the houses of Agency.

Mr, Finnie’s first year’s proceedings with the Churka, Thresher, and Gin.—Up to this point there appears to have been no breach between Dr. Mies Dr. Wight's 20d Mr. Finnie. Dr. Wight supplied Mr. letter, 28th = Finnie with three saw gins,—two of twenty- Parl, Return five saws, and one of twenty saws,—to be (1857), p. 266. worked by hand. He requested that Mr. Finnie might be furnished with sufficient funds for the purchase of seed Cotton to keep his three gins at work. He even represented to the Madras Government the propriety of purchasing four or five hundred bales of the best churkaed Cotton, to be cleaned by the thresher, and then to be sent to England, in order to ascertain what the best Native Cotton would realize in the

1845-46. | MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 89

English market. Dr. Wight considered this last mea- sure to be of the utmost importance; inasmuch as the native dealers were so accustomed to mix the inferior qualities of Cotton with the better sorts, that very few samples of the best qualities of Indian Cotton ever reached the English market, and consequently much ignorance prevailed respecting the average prices which such Cotton would realize. Thus the per-

Mr. Finnie’s letter, 15th

mission granted to Mr. Finnie to purchase

churkaed Cotton harmonized with Dr. $9 }84¢_, Wight’s own views. A distinction, how- (1857),p. 267. ever, must be made between the authority Dr. Wieht’s which he received to purchase on Govern- iter 2th ment account seed Cotton for ginning Parl. Return (1857), p. 337.

towards making up the 6000 bales, and the churkaed Cotton for threshing to make up the 600 bales; and the permission granted him to purchase any Cotton he pleased on private account, as agent to any merchant who might consider it expedient to engage his services. This, however, will be noticed further on. Meantime it will be sufficient to say that Mr. Finnie secured the thresher already al- luded to. He also ordered an American hand gin made by Mr. Idler of Phiiadelphia, on the ground that the gins made in America had been found to work with less labour, and to turn out nearly double the quantity of Cotton, than those made in England. Both purchases were supported by Dr. Wight, and sanctioned by the Madras Government. Nothing of

course was done during the first season, as Mr. Finnic’s Mr. Finnie could not obtain Cotton except Diary, 2ist of the poorest quality, and moreover had no Pari. Return

house in which to set up his gins. ee)

Queries submitted to Mr. Finnie by the Marquis of Tweeddale.—Before entering upon the second year of Mr. Finnie’s operations in Tinnevelly, it may be as well to bring forward the results of his experience in

reference to the cultivation of Cotton both

in America and India. Dr. Wight’s Notes nae

on American Agriculture, which he drew Minute by 3 the Marquis

up at the request of Lord Elphinstone, have of tweed.

143

90 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1ST SEASON. |

dale, 11th already been exhibited in the second chap- ec., 1847. E ‘ 2 : Parl. Return ter. In the same way Mr. Finnie replied er). P: at considerable length to certain queries : propounded by the Marquis of Tweeddale ; and the results are accordingly condensed and arranged |

in a similar form. |

MR. FINNIE’S “NOTES ON COTTON CULTIVATION IN AMERICA AND INDIA.”

Early cultivation of Cotton in America: compared with the present cultivation in India,—The earliest _., Cotton cultivated m North America is rie’ supposed to have been brought from the the queries Grecian Archipelago. It was first tried in of the Mar- Se ie quis of Virginia, but the season between the last iweeddale, frost of spring and the first frost of autumn 1847. Parl. was found to be too short to produce a profit- Tee 17s. able crop. Still, however, it was raised for domestic consumption, until a more favour- able climate was discovered. Subsequently, the early emigrants, journeying westward from Virginia to Ken- tucky, carried the Cotton seed with them, but still found the climate too severe. At last it was cultivated | with much success in the more southern province of Tennessee, where the summer season was slightly longer. In that early period the saw gin was un- known. The seed was separated from the Cotton in a more primitive way even than by the Indian churka, for the American people employed no machine beyond their own fingers. At that time the circumstances of the American settlers were almost analogous to those of the Indian Ryots; for the work was done when the people could employ their time in no other way. Dur- ing the long winter evenings, and during bad weather, when no out-door work could be performed, the Negro men and children were engaged in separating the Cot- ton from the seed, whilst the Negro women were em- ployed in spinning and weaving the wool to clothe themselves and the family. Gradually the gin was

| 1845-46.| MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 91

‘introduced. One gin house was established in every ‘neighbourhood, and ginned the Cotton for the neigh- ‘ bouring farmers, whilst the owner of the gin received | payment inkind. But meantime adventurous settlers

|

| |

had pushed still further to the South. The climate of Alabama and Mississippi was found to be even more favourable to the plant than that of Tennessee; and there every planter soon had a gin-house of his own. Thus the luxuriant South reduced the Kentucky and Tennessee Cotton to a mere domestic product; but even within Mr. Finnie’s recollection, that is, about 1820, the Negro men and women would gather in some

/ neighbourhoods round a blazing fire during the long _ winter evenings, to hand-pick the seeds out of the Cot-

ton, which the women were to spin the next day. Climate discovered to be of more importance than

soil—During this period of emigration, the early ad- _venturers had discovered, as we have already seen, that

as they advanced towards the South, the Cotton shrub became more and more prolific, and produced a finer quality of wool. This result is to be attributed not only to the superiority of the soil, but also to the greater suitability of climate. Though soil, says Mr. Finnie, exercises much influence on the quantity and quality of the Cotton, climate is the great desideratum. A good soil in a favourable climate will produce a large quantity of fine Cotton; a poor soil in a favourable climate will produce Cotton a little inferior; but an unfavourable climate and poor soil will produce an article inferior in quality and deficient in quantity. But however rich the soil may be, no profitable crop can be produced unless the climate is propitious. These remarks refer to the climate which is essential to the production of American Cotton. As regards the climate of Southern India, Mr. Finnie believed (1847) that it produced a very good article of indigen- ous Cotton, which only required care and cleanliness to render it very useful and valuable. He feared, how- ever, that the Indian climate was not suited to the New Orleans variety.

144

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146

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92 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1ST SEASON

Nature of the lands in America on which the Ame- rican plant is grown,——All land in the Southern States of America on which Cotton is grown has been cleared from forest at a comparatively late period. The Cot- ton does not produce a good crop in the first season | after the land is cleared ; the great quantity of extra-_ neous matter causing it to grow to long watery shoots, which yield no fruit. Accordingly Indian corn is ge- nerally grown as the first crop. The land, however, is peculiarly suited to the Cotton plant, beimg a rich vegetable loam, with a deep clay sub-soil; and it is, moreover, situated in a favourable climate. :

Manure, consisting of old stalks and rotten seed, | buried in a furrow between the rows.—The land, says | Mr. Finnie, is manured when required. The poor old land is manured early in the spring, by running a deep |} furrow between the old rows, which are filled up with the old Cotton stalks; but the poorest lands have some other manure added, of which well-rotted Cotton seed is found to be the best. Here America differs from India, for it produces so many better things than Cot- ton seeds as food for cattle, that the seeds are of no | value. When the manure has thus been laid in the furrow, it is covered up by running two furrows, so that — the mole laps, and forms a slight ridge over the manure; — and in this state the stalks and seed are allowed to lie until the planting season, by which time they are well rotted. The advantage of this operation is two-fold: first, the land is manured ; and secondly, half the plough- ing is accomplished which is necessary for preparing the land for planting. ‘The operation, as already seen, is carried out very early in the spring, before the frost has ceased to fall; and when the frost is over and all fear of it has ceased, one or two furrows are ploughed along either side of the manure ridge, which is subse- quently broken up. This is done to save time, the great object being to get the seed into the ground as early as possible.

Climate: very humid at night, but hot in the day. —The climate is damp all over America, but in the Southern States it is very humid, causing heavy dews |

1845-46.| MR. FINNIE ON COTTON CULTIVATION. 93

and thick fogs at night; these, however, are soon dis- ‘pelled on the appearance of a bright sun, which usually ‘prevails in the morning and during the whole day. ‘The rains may be thus characterized. During spring, ‘summer, and autumn they consist of heavy bursts of fre- ‘quent showers. During the winter the climate is pro- ‘verbially described as consisting of three heavy white ‘frosts, and a hot sun in the day, which is succeeded by ‘a heavy rain, generally of one day’s duration, but occa- sionally extending over ten days. ' Rotation of crops: alternation with Indian corn oc- ‘easionally necessary.—The Cotton plant fills the land so full of its own excretions, that after a few years the \ground is rendered unsuitable for the reproduction of ‘the plant in a healthy state. But Mr. Finnie doubted ‘whether the continued crops exhausted the soil ; for if ‘the lands, said to be exhausted, were planted for one ‘year with Indian corn, they would produce a fine crop ‘of the corn, and the next year would be again fitted for ‘the production of Cotton. | Capital required in American cultivation. Any sum from 20,000 dollars to 200,000 might be invested in ‘an estate. The first amount would yield a handsome profit, provided it were well managed by the owner himself; though it would not justify the employment of a superintendent. But 200,000 dollars well laid out, made a handsome property; and was as much as one ‘superintendent, whether owner or employer, could look after in detail, with the assistance of his Negro drivers. ‘There were many planters, however, who owned several ‘such estates; and the details of each were conducted by a superintendent, whose re- putation was involved in its success or failure, that is, in the profit or loss of the estate entrusted to his charge. successive operations necessary to raise a crop: cleaning old land and clearing new.—In America, says Mr. Finnie, the life of a Cotton Planter is one of inces- sant labour. In the first place, great care is necessary to ensure a good and regular stand of plants; and, se- condly, in the gathering season, constant attention is necessary to ensure the cleanliness of the Cotton: but

Para, 175.

148

149

150

151

94 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY, [1ST SEASON,

when the hands employed have been once brought under strict discipline, they give but little further trouble to the Planter. The operations of the year may | be thus described. The week’s holiday, which is an- nually granted to the negroes, is over by the first of Janu- ary. ‘The first operations of the Planter are to clean and prepare his old land, and to clear a piece of new. On the old land, advantage is taken of every interval of fine weather, for a few steady ploughmen to run the manure furrow already described between the old Cot- ton rows; while women and children follow them, and beat down the old stalks and lay them in the furrow. If necessary, the carts follow with the manure, and then the ploughs again run over the land to cover up the manure at once. On the new land, the trees are cut down for fences, whilst the under-grown and thick canes are cut flat to the ground, and when sufficiently dry, are set on fire and burnt off clean. Before the embers are cold, this new land is planted with Indian corn; because the latter is not so delicate as Cotton, and is not killed by the frost. The three agricultural operations of planting, scraping, and gathering may now be described in their natural order. i Planting.—The planting season lasts from the first | to the thirteenth of April. The first of April is the great commencing day, and then every available “plough team” is put in harness, and often the carriage — horses are pressed into the service of the plough. A few additional furrows are thrown to the slight manure ridge already mentioned, in order that the closing fur- row may drain the surplus spring showers. Next fol- lows the drill, which opens the ridge; whilst an active woman keeps pace with the horse, and sows the seed in a beautiful straight line in the little furrow opened by the drill. The interval between the plants varies ac- cording to the poorness or richness of the soil. In poor land the Cotton is planted close together, but in rich lands wide apart, thus reversing the order of grain hus- bandry. Accordingly, the plants are sown in rows from four to eight feet apart, varying according to the quality of the land; and the seed is left in the drill in |

( 1845-46.] MR. FINNIE ON COTTON CULTIVATION. 95

: corresponding intervals of from six to twelve inches, ; or even of fifteen inches where the land is very rich. -In India three inches in the drill, and two feet | between the rows, is sufficient in the best lands. After .sowing, the harrow follows immediately, and lightly , covers the seed ; and this operation brings the work of ‘the planting season to a close. Here it may be re- imarked 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. . “Seraping” or hoeing.—The scraping season com- ‘mences immediately after the plants are above-ground. | This operation is very important, as the success of the {crop mainly depends upon the neatness and accuracy |of the scraping. The great point is to secure a good stand of plants; that is, to leave the plants in regular intervals, and proportioned i in width to the poorness or | strength of theland. To achieve this object a few care- \ful Negro drivers give their whole care and attention |to it, following the hoemen to see that neither too much nor too little is taken away. The Cotton as it comes up stands thick in the drill. The hoe is passed ‘through the mass of plants, and cuts away in width as ‘the hoeman is directed by the ae wees ae plants ‘Ina place, thus : If both the plants live, one of phen 18 pulled ae at: the ext 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 con- ‘tinue 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. Gathering.—The gathering season commences about the middle of July, when only a few of the first-formed bolls begin to open. Before, however, these have been

96 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1ST SEASON.

gathered from the whole plantation, the beautiful snow- white tufts of vegetable wool begin to appear, thickly interspersed amongst the deep green and yellow flowers. — From that time until Christmas there is no cessation — of labour. Six days in the week from daylight to dark the hands are in the field, except when they are inter- rupted by rain, which is always injurious during the | picking season, when dry weather is most desired. Hyery evening the day’s gathering is weighed to see that each hand has done its duty; every hand being expected to pick from 150 to 250lbs. per diem, aver- aging in fine weather about 200 lbs.; a result which strangely contrasts with similar work in India, where Mr. Finnie never heard of a hand-gathering exceeding fifteen pounds, and where from seven to ten pounds is the usual day’s work. After the weighing of the day’s gathering, the Cotton is carried in waggons to the gin- house, and the day’s work is over. Next day the Cot- ton is spread out on plank scaffolds to dry; and a few superannuated Negroes pick it over, and take out the trash that may have accidentally got mixed with it. Thus the seed Cotton goes to the gin almost free from trash, and consequently comes out clean.

Uncertainty of weather: average crops.—<As re- gards the general failure of the Cotton crop, Mr. Finnie says that he had never known of such a case in Ame- rica. Every year the speculators who have a stock to sell get up a cry of failure ; whilst those who wish to buy exaggerate the probable produce of the season in order to lessen the price. The reason why there never is a general failure seems to be as follows. Poor and rich lands are interspersed through the whole country, except immediately on the river ; and whilst the poor lands produce the finest crops in a wet season, the new rich hill lands, and all river bottom lands, produce the best crops in a dry season, or rather in what the Ame- ricans would call a dry season. In estimating the climate, however, it is necessary to bear in mind that the Americans plant their Cotton in the spring, at a time when lands in general have been saturated by all the winter rains, and when it is often difficult to get

1845-46.] MR. FINNIE ON COTTON CULTIVATION. 97

the ground dry enough to plant nicely. Again, after sowing, a good rain is essential to a perfect stand of plants; and indeed during the planting season, it usu- ally 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 hot sun follows immediately after- wards; then, if the ground be old and clayey, it bakes over the seed, and becomes so hard that the plant cannot make its way through it; and a hght wooden-tooth harrow is often run over it to break the crust, and thus to let the young plants appear above- ground. But as regards weather, the Planter is a pro-

| verbial grumbler. It is always too dry or too wet. If - he does not get rain every six or eight days during the

whole ploughing and hoeing season, he grumbles, and frets, and loses all patience at seeing his “ hands ” work-

_ Ing to so great disadvantage in the hard land; wearing — out his hoes, wearing out the files for keeping the hoes

sharp, and obliging his blacksmiths to be always em-

_ ployed in keeping the ploughs in order. Then the

Planter in the old hills or uplands is raving because his plants do not grow in dry weather; whilst his neigh- bour on the river “bottoms” is raving because his

_ plants grow too fast in wet weather. Thus the crop is always pretty regular, except when attacked by the

bug or caterpillar; but this casualty seldom happens. The usual rough estimate of an average crop 1s a bale of 400 lbs. 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 produce such

a crop ; but he was inclined to estimate the average at

_ about 300 lbs. of clean Cotton per acre.

Expenses of Cotton cultivation: produce estimated, not at so much per acre, but at four to eight bales per Negro.—According to Mr. Finnie, it is impossible to calculate in detail the expenses of cultivating one acre of Cotton ; because there are slaves employed, who re- ceive no wages, and who are also employéd in culti- vating other things beside Cotton. The produce is always roughly estimated at so many bales to the

H

155

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98 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1ST SEASON.

“hand,” varying from four to eight, according to the ability of the Planter and the season. This estimate is exclusive of the other things produced for home con- sumption. All thrifty planters produce all their coarse supplies, such as bread, meat, vegetables, and similar articles for the Negroes’ food. Formerly the Negroes’ clothing was also made at home; but now the ma- chinery has long supplanted the hand-wheel. Alto- gether the Planter now (1847) does not realize above eight per cent. for his money; but then he lives on the produce of the estate, with the exception of such luxuries as his habits and tastes require.

Machinery, Gin-house, Gins, Press, and Drawing Machinery.—The expense of American machinery per acre cannot be calculated any more than the expense of cultivation. The followmg machinery must be pur- chased by the Planter, whether he produces one hun- dred bales of Cotton, or six hundred; excepting per- haps that he might produce the former with one gin only, whereas he would require two gins to produce the latter. .

Dollars. Gin-house .. te . . from 2000 to . . 2500 Two Ging) s8 .. from 350 to 400 each, say 700 Single Iron Screw Press .. from 500 to .. 690 Driving machinery fitted up from 500 to .. 600

—

Total Dollars 4350

But the mode of procedure in America is so different from that in India, that the most exact estimate in de- tail of a gin-house and the necessary machinery would afford no criterion for the arrangements which would

- prove most beneficial in the latter country. Here in

India it will be necessary to give the people something more simple than the gin and large gin-houses for their own use in cleaning their own Cotton. In fact, the seeds of the Indian Cotton are so small, that if the grates of the gin are placed close enough together to prevent the seed from passing through, the saws bring the Cotton so much in contact with the bars, as to cut

|

1845-46.]| MR. FINNIE ON COTTON CULTIVATION. 99

it to a degree that much injures the staple. Accord- inely, Mr. Finnie considered that the American gin was only suited to the American Cotton; that the two must go hand in hand; and where the American Coi- ton failed, the gin would prove useless.

Price of Land: fluctuates with the price of Cotton. —The rent of land in Southern America, as part of the cost of producing Cotton, could not be estimated by Mr. Finnie. In the Southern States, he said, every Planter is a landlord, from the squatter with his small section, to the capitalist with his twenty thousand acres. Land rent is thus unknown, and the value of an estate is never calculated so closely. A Planter who is com- pelled to sell, takes what his neighbours are disposed to give him. Sometimes a wealthy neighbour will offer avery high price for a good plantation in his immediate neighbourhood, because he wants it for an especial ob- ject. Again, it is very often the case that three- fourths, and sometimes seven-eighths of an estate, are uncleared forest; and consequently the whole value cannot be estimated according to the produce of that which is under culture. In a word, land in the South- ern States has no fixed value, but seems to fluctuate with the price of Cotton.

Minimum price at which American Cotton could be produced, four pence per pound.—dAs an illustration of the cost at which Cotton was produced in America, Mr. Finnie furnished the following interesting data. Some- time about 1840, when the question of a Cotton supply from India was seriously agitated, a meeting was called

of the most intelligent and distinguished Planters,

order to determine upon the best method of counter- acting the efforts which were beg made in that direc- tion. It was then decided that so long as the American Planters could get eight cents (4d.) per lb. for their Cot- ton, delivered at the nearest market, they could afford to produce it; but that if a supply from any other quar- ter could be obtained for less than that sum, they must then turn their attention to the cultivation of other com- modities. Thus by adding 1d. per lb. to the 4d. for ex- penses to England, we have the minimum price, 5d. per . HZ

157

1

D

8

159

160

@ 100 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. | LST SEASON.

lb., at which it is said America can produce the article. All therefore that remained to be done in India, was the production of an article of an equal quality but at less cost. : Prospects of India: labour in America and India — compared.— Mr. Finnie believed that the consumption © of Cotton would increase in the same ratio as the pro- duction; that under any circumstances all good Ame- rican Cotton, and all good Indian Cotton, would ever find a market. America could not be easily supplanted, whilst she retained all her advantages of enterprise, industry, climate, soil, rivers, steam-boats, and rail- roads. On the other hand, India possessed a territory that would produce a pretty good article of “ New Orleans Cotton,” and that was equal in extent to the whole Cotton-growing region in America; but then to render the cultivation successful, the people must carry it on themselves. Here however, in the matter of cheap labour, India possessed a decided advantage. The interest of the money invested in the purchase of a labourer in America, added to the actual cost of his maintenance, would pay for nine able-bodied men in India. It was true that the American labourer, as one of many, not only provided for the comfort of his master, and supported himself, but he actually enriched his master; whilst the nine Indian labourers would not produce enough, in their capacity of servants to the European, to pay their own wages, to say nothing of paying the land-rent and affording a profit to their employer. But still, if the people of India could only be induced to undertake themselves the improved cul- tivation of the American Cotton, the advantages they possessed in numerical strength, and in the trifling cost at which they could be supported, more than counterbalanced the advantages possessed by America in the shape of greater quantity of Cotton. produced per acre and a finer quality of Cotton wool. - Reduction of the Indian land-tax on Cotton grounds would neither benefit the Ryot nor extend the cul- ture.—As regarded the land-tax in India, or Govern- ment assessment upon the lands, Mr. Finnie said that

1845-46.| MR. FINNIE ON COTTON CULTIVATION. 101

there was no land-tax in America. At the same time he expressed an opinion that a general reduction or abolition of the land-tax on Cotton grounds would neither benefit the Ryots nor extend the culture of American Cotton. There might be individual cases where the land-tax was oppressive, and where the 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 in- creased, his credit is increased in a like ratio; and he avails himself of his credit to the fullest extent, and his banker reaps the benefit. Therefore, if Go- vernment did not collect a pice of revenue, the “ poor oppressed Indian Ryot’’ might cease to be the theme of declaimers and grievance mongers, but he would be the “poor oppressed Indian Ryot”’ still. The only difference would be, that he would change his European

master who had tried to deal fairly with him, for a

ruthless monied fellow-countryman, whose sense of justice would not be very acute.

lr. Finnie’s Second Season, 1846-47: planting oper- ations succeeded at Courtallum but failed at Seva- causey.—To return to the narrative of Mr. Finnie’s proceedings in Tinnevelly. At the commencement of the second season he planted some New yy, Pinnie’s Orleans Cotton at Courtallum, which en- Pe we joyed the benefit of both monsoons, and oath Sept., also at Sevacausey, which enjoyed the bene- 3807. Parl. fit of only the north-east monsoon. The (1857), p. 273 results are not given in any detail. At 270779 Courtallum only a small quantity was planted; but though the land was bad, and the cultivation was much neglected by the people who undertook it, yet the crop proved to be of a fine quality, and under the circum- stances produced a good return. At Sevacausey the result was different. Not a plant lived through the long drought which generally prevailed, excepting those which had been sown on one small field, that had been cultivated and irrigated by a Ryot of intelligence and zeal. ‘This field yielded a crop of American Cotton

161

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102 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2ND SEASON.

which was much liked by the people, and they ex- pressed a willingness to plant it again the next year. Mr. Finnies Accordingly Mr. Finnie distributed seed, March, aais, @nd agreed to take the produce in seed Parl. Return Cotton before separation, at two rupees (1857), D364. her podhee of 280 lbs. above the market value of the Native article. This purchase is said to

have been insisted upon, because the Ryots had found

that they could not separate the staple from the seed

by their own rude churka; thus rendering it necessary that all American Cotton should be separated by the American gin. The result properly belongs to the proceedings of the next season; but it will perhaps be sufficient to say that this crop also proved an utter failure.

Mr. Finnie is disappointed as an Agent: proposal to employ Government Funds.—The Agency operations of Mr. Finnie during the second season were just as Mr. Finnie’s disappointing as his planting operations. ctter, oon ~~ _ He found that the Merchants of Madras Parl.Return and Ceylon had already established their (1857), p-346. own Agents in Tinnevelly, and that con- sequently he must look to other Cotton trading ports for that co-operation from the merchant, which was indispensable to his success. Moreover, in consequence of the delay of nearly a year in granting him permission to act as Agent, the gathering season for 1846-47 was so near at hand, that he feared he should not be able to establish a business connexion in time to accomplish much by that year’s Agency. Accordingly he pro- posed that beside erecting the gin-house, and setting up the machinery, Government should place a sum of money at his disposal. With this money he would purchase Cotton, and ship it to a mercantile firm in England, in order that it might be sold, and the amount of sales be rendered to him direct. By these means he would be in possession of every item of the expense, and would thus be enabled to draw up an annual statement of profit and loss, for the information of Government and of all parties interested in the ques- tion. Ifthe Government could not comply with this

1846-47. | MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 103

request, he was prepared to clean and ship Cotton on his own account to the extent of 30,000 rupees, pro- vided that Government would let him have ,,.

- inutes of that amount upon the security of Govern- Consulta- ment paper, without charging him any in- {or St terest on the loan. This proposition fell Parl. Return to the ground, as the Government declined ab to advance money to Mr. Finnie for the purchase of Cotton on his own account. |

Mr. Finnie’s second year’s operations with the Churka, Thresher, and Gin.— At the commencement of this second season, Mr. Finnie expressed himself still anxious to gin a quantity of Cotton towards completing the Company’s order for six thousand bales. For this object, a gin-house was necessary in which to work his gins, and to obtain this was a work of time. Mean- while he had a second object in view; namely, to in- duce the Natives to engage in the business. Accord- ingly it will be advisable to review, first, his efforts to epee the Natives to use the gin; and secondly,

is efforts to obtain a house for the working of the ins.

. Sale of two Gins to neighbouring Zemindars: their failure.—As regards the former measure, he appeared in the first instance to have achieved a= mr. Finnie’s great success. He had actually prevailed Dry, 2ist on two Zemindars of villages to purchase Parl. Return each a gin; he, on his part, agreeing to {5857 P.889- take all the Cotton they ginned at a fair letter, 25th

> r : > Oct., 1846. price. ‘The gins were set up in houses not Parl. Return exactly fitted for them; but still the ex- (1857), p.369.

163

164

periment was tried, and Mr. Finnie had the pleasure of —

subsequently reporting that the gins were a failure. Their working, he said, was both imperfect and expen- sive. The saw wheels did not project sufficiently through the grates, and the staple was only partially separated from the seed. Again, the gins moved so heavily, that the people employed to work them re- fused to turn the wheel after the second day. Mr. Finnie thought that coercion might do them good, but remembered that they were freemen. Next he thought

165

104 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. | 2ND SEASON.

of employing cattle labour, as we shall presently see. At a later. period however he discovered that the coolies had been either forced to work, or had been only half paid. Consequently their inability had been assumed.

Cotton Brokers rather than Zemindars should be

induced to adopt the Gin—Mr. Finnie then expressed

166

Mr. Finnies the opimion that Cotton Brokers rather letter, 16th than Zemindars should be induced to adopt pec? tam the gin. The two Zemindars who had (1857),p- 346. bought the gins paid little attention to business, and committed the work to some of their numerous dependents; and the latter were ever ready to peculate, by charging heavy expenses to the working of the new machine, and appropriating the surplus over the actual expenditure to their private uses. Con- sequently, the profits, whether large or small, were all absorbed. Mr. Finnie however had found that a class of men, known as Cotton Brokers, were settled in all the large towns in the best Cotton districts; and that it was the business of these men to purchase seed Cotton, to separate the seed from the wool, and then to sell both seed and wool separately. These men of course looked after their own affairs, inasmuch as their profits were derived from their own transactions. Ac- cordingly, Mr. Finnie considered that the Brokers ought to be induced to adopt the gin as the best mode of separating the fibre from the seed; and that there- fore it would be necessary to convince them of its advantages by experiments conducted on the most economical scale.

Mr. Finnie’s proposals for erecting a Gin-house and Cattle-driving Machinery in Tinnevelly.— Meantime, —that is, in October, 1846,—Mr. Finnie had formed Mr. Finnies the design of erecting a gin-house. and Diary, 2ist driving machinery in Tinnevelly, for the Parl. Retun purpose of working his gins by cattle (1857), p- 338. Instead of by manual labour. In a word, he desired to set up in Tinnevelly an establishment similar to that of Dr. Wight in Coimbatore. He accordingly made the following proposals. Ist, To |

1846-47. ] MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 105

erect a cheap house, in which either the gin or the thresher might be worked as circumstances required ; and which would give such a permanence to the busi- ness, as would engage the confidence of the Natives around. 2nd, To purchase a set of new driving ma- chinery which was for sale at Jaffna in Ceylon at the price of £155. Both these two propositions sub- sequently underwent some extraordinary transform- ations. The second however involved the relative merits of cattle labour and manual labour, and there- fore may be first discussed.

Purchase of Cattle-driving Machinery sanctioned: relative cost of cattle labour and manual labour.— Mr. Finnie’s proposal for the purchase of p,. wient’s the cattle-driving machinery was strongly _ letter, 11th supported by Dr. Wight, and accordingly Be ime sanctioned by the Madras Government. (1857), p.338. There was some discussion about the locality, but finally the village of Sevacausey was chosen 4... in the district of Tinnevelly, as being the Diary, 21st centre of an extensive Cotton-growing Q¢ty 16. country, and also as containimg many es- (1857), p. 339. tablishments for separating the Cotton (ier toh staple from the seed with the Madras Foca e churka. As regarded cattle labour and ot eae manual labour, Dr. Wight had already tried both methods in Coimbatore. For the first three seasons he had worked his gins by hand labour, the p,. wients coolies contracting to gin so many maunds letter, 11th of seed Cotton for a certain sum. Sub- bE ee sequently he had employed cattle labour, (1857), p.338. and then he had discovered that cattle labour in gin- ning was more expensive than coolie labour. But still Dr. Wight strongly urged that the experiment should be tried, as coolies might be dearer in Tinnevelly than they had proved to be in Coimbatore.

Change in Mr, Finnie’s views as regards the Cattle- driving Machinery.—By this time Mr. Finnie’s mind had undergone an apparently unaccountable change. The proposal for purchasing the driving machinery had been made in October, 1846. In November it had been

167

168

169

106 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2ND SEASON.

forwarded to Government with the recommendation of Dr. Wight; and on the 2nd January, 1847, the pur- Mr. Fines Chase had received the necessary sanction. letter, 13th = Qn the 138th January, Mr. Finnie acknow- | Aa saa ledged the receipt of the authority to pur- | (1857), p-350. chase, but stated that he had changed his | mind as to the expediency of employing cattle labour, and was considering whether by lessening the friction of the gins, they could not be driven best by manual labour. He therefore requested that the purchase Dr. Wieht’s ; Might be postponed. Dr. Wight seems to letter, 18th ~ have been somewhat irritated by this sudden chal erence change in the mind of Mr. Finnie. He (1857), p. 848. stated that the purchase of the machinery had been fairly completed; and that without such machinery it would be impossible to complete the Court’s order for six thousand bales. He therefore urged that a house should be procured, and that the cattle-driving machinery should be fitted up at once: that two large gins, of sixty saw wheels each, should be worked by the cattle machinery at one end of the lint room; whilst three or four smaller ins, of twenty and twenty-five saws each, should be worked by coolies at the other end of the > Minutes of room. The result was that the Madras — Consulta- Government ordered the purchase money > soni for the driving machinery to be paid. At Parl. Return the same time, Mr. Finnie. was called upon (897)-P-354 +5 state what he now intended to do with the machinery, and what arrangements he had made for driving his gins by manual labour. His attention was also drawn to a recent despatch from the Court of Directors, stating that the Manchester Association objected to the use of hand gins.

Mr, Finnie’s explanation of his apparent inconsist- encies.—Mr. Finnie’s explanation of the causes which Mr. Fimie’s led him to advise the purchase may be letter, 29th given in a few words. The Ceylon ma- py Raion chinery had been recommended to him by (1857),p.355. both Dr. Wight and Mr. Petrie as early as February, 1846; but being anxious to conduct his

See para. 171.

1846-47.| MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 107

operations on the most economical plan, he had not concurred in their views. Subsequently, he had found greater difficulty than he had anticipated in working the gins on the two Zemindaries by manual labour ; and had consequently formed a poor opinion of the

_ physical ability of the people. At the same time,

whilst strongly opposed to the use of the gin, he felt that it ought not to be rejected on insufficient data. Accordingly, though he had represented that ginning operations were impracticable as a mercantile trans- action, yet he had recommended the purchase of the driving machinery, in order that no efforts on his part might be left untried for giving the experiment a fair trial. His reasons for subsequently opposing the purchase were as follows. 1st, Mr. Petrie had so far altered the gins, as to remove some of the greatest difficulties in the way of a successful application of manual labour. 2nd, He found that the coolies who worked for the Zemindars were either forced or only half paid; and that when Mr. Petrie’s improvements had been effected, the people were both able and will- ing to work, provided they were paid. 3rd, Hand gins

_ were new to him, as they were never used in Missis-

sipp1; but after giving further attention to the subject, he had resolved on a plan which would give greater efficiency to manual labour. 4th, He had calculated the extraordinary expenses of driving machinery, such as the cost of the machinery itself, the cost of trans- portation across the Gulf, the cost of transit to the gin- house up country, the cost of erection, and, last but not least, the cost of keeping up an establishment of

, bullocks all the year round merely to work during the

Cotton season. 5th, He considered that the driving machinery had been made to go at a certain speed when drawn by horses walking about four miles an hour; and that the gins would consequently move too slowly when drawn by bullocks whose speed would not exceed two miles an hour. The general question however .

appeared to be partly settled by the Manchester Asso- _ ciation, who had expressed a decided preference for the gins moved by cattle machinery over the gins

1

0

108 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. | 2ND SEASON.

moved by hand. But, notwithstanding this authority, Mr. Finnie still believed that the experiment which was about to be conducted would test the relative | merits of cattle gins and hand gins; and would thus © prove more satistactory to the merchants and manu- | facturers than if conducted with the cattle machmery | alone. The President of the Association had indeed | said that the hand gins should not be used until their efficiency had been more fully proved; but how was their efficiency to be proved excepting by their being used P

Mr. Finnie’s general objections to the Gin discussed by Dr. Wight.— Whilst this discussion had been car- ried on about the driving machinery, another discus- Paras. 130, Sion had been going on about the gin ge- 131. nerally. Mr. Fimnie’s views have already been exhibited. He considered that the gin was unfit for Indian Cotton, and that the churka was unfit for American Cotton. Again, he had urged that the expense of the gin was sufficient to deter the Ryot from using it. His arguments upon this point were referred to Dr. Wight, and the latter dealt with them thus. The whole question of gin Dr. Wieht’s versus churka depends upon whether gin- letter, 7th = ned Cotton will fetch a higher price in the poor a is English market than churkaed Cotton ; (1857),p. 845. and that question is in a fair way of being solved by the experiment in progress, of sending home 6000 bales of ginned Cotton and 600 bales of churkaed Cotton to ascertain the relative prices which they would fetch in Manchester. When the relative selling prices have been ascertained, it will be easy to discuss the gay eee question of relative cost prices. Thus Mr.

“Binnie had stated that the Ryot might lose. four rupees per candy on ginned Cotton more than on churkaed Cotton; but then if gmned Cotton would only fetch one farthing per pound more than the other,

Para. 161.

the merchant would be able to pay that four rupees

per candy, and yet secure a still larger profit for him- self. On the other hand, should the gin be found to injure the staple of Native Cotton, it would be soon |

1846-47. | MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 109

disearded. Similar opinions were expressed Mr. Petrie’s by Mr. Petrie, the Engineer employed in hae 7th

. . : : ec., 1846. Coimbatore to keep the gins in repair. If Pari’ Return the ginned “ East India Cotton”’ fetched a (1897), P. 845.

higher price in the English market, then the gin would most assuredly force its way into India; just as ma- chinery for shortening labour, or for cheapening it, or for doing it better, had forced its way into other coun- tries, even when it had proved a temporary hardship to the masses.

Mr. Finnie’s proposition for erecting a Gin-house of 171 two storeys: the lower one for the Driving Machinery, and the upper one for the Gins.-—But to proceed with the narrative. It had now been finally arranged that the catile-driving machinery should be tried with the large saw gins, and that manual labour should be tried with the smaller gins. Accordingly it was absolutely necessary that a gin-house should be constructed for their reception. Mr. Finnie had for some time been

anxious to erect a gin-house. He now pro- posed that this house should be about 78 feet long by 24 feet broad; that it should contain six rooms, three on the ground and three on the upper floor; that the room in the middle of the ground floor, and the one in the middle of the upper floor, should each be 30 feet long by 20 broad in the inside ;

Mr. Finnie’s letter, Ist Dec., 1846. Parl. Return (1857), p. 343. Compare his letters, 16th Dec., 1846, and 29th March, 1847. Ibid. pp. 346 and 360.

and that the four end rooms on the ground floor and upper floor should be each 20 feet long by 20 broad.* These two storeys of three rooms each were

_ thus to be appropriated. The upper storey was intended

for the gins and the ground fioor for the driving ma- chinery and storing of the Cotton, according to the following arrangement. On the upper storey, the two end rooms were to be appropriated to the gins, which would discharge their Cotton into the centre room be-

* This would seem to give a measurement for the whole house of 70 feet long and 20 feet broad, instead of 78 feet long and 24 feet broad as above indicated. But the difference is accounted for by the thickness of the walls.

110 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2ND SEASON.

tween them, which was to be called the “ lint room.” On the ground floor, the centre room was to be occupied by the wheels belonging to the driving machinery, whilst the two end rooms were to be used as store rooms. The wheels in the lower room would be connected with the gins in the upper rooms by a single band passing through the wall and floor, at an angle of about forty- five degrees. By this plan the gin would receive the compound motion it required. The saw cylinder and the brush wheel revolve in opposite directions; the brush wheel with an accelerated motion of about five revolutions to one revolution of the saw cylinder, which is effected by proportioning the size of the cylinder and brush wheels. The great desideratum in India was to drive both with one band. This object Mr. Finnie proposed to effect by passing the under part of the band over the brush wheel, and thus driving it in an Minutes of OPposite direction to that m which it Consulta- drives the cylinder. After some little dis- Sout isi7, cussion, the erection of the gin-house at Parl. Retwm Sevacausey on the above plan was finally (1857), p88 sanctioned at a cost of 2699 rupees.

Hire of a temporary Gin-house at Aroopoocottah.— | The discussions about the driving machinery and gin- house had commenced about the latter end of 1846, but sanction for the erection of the gin-house was not obtained until September, 1847. Meantime the gather- | ing season for 1847 had passed away. Mr. Finnie, | however, had not suffered the time to be lost without some show of effort. He had three hand gins in his | possession, two of twenty-five saw wheels, and one of | twenty saw wheels; and he professed to be still anxious | Mr. Finnies +0 assist Dr. Wight in completing the | letter, 3rd Court’s order for six thousand bales. Ac- | Pepr 87. cordingly, about the commencement of the | (1857), p.279. gathermg season, he induced the head man / at Aroopoocottah to rent him a house at seven rupees (14s.) a month, and a godown at three rupees (6s.) a | month, for the purpose of ginning Cotton to complete | the Court’s order. |

1846-47. ] MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 111

Erection of three Gins and a Thresher: their effect upon the Natives.—Having made the necessary alter- ations in the hired house, Mr. Finnie erected two 25 saw-gins, one 20 saw-gin, and one thresher; and then invited the Cotton Brokers, Chitties, and Ryots to visit the scene of his operatious. Accordingly they came in crowds. He showed them the advantages of the gin over the churka; and they all appeared delighted at seeing the gin separate the staple from the seed, and the Cotton come out so nice and clean. He also showed them how the thresher separated so much dirt from the Cotton. Still however they required time to consider the propriety of adopting so new and wonderful an im-

plement. From what Mr. Finnie could learn, they .

appeared to reason thus :—“ Here is a gentleman who is come amongst us, and who proposes to trade in Cot- ton like ourselves. He brings machines which are new to us, and which evidently clean the Cotton beautifully; and he generously offers, either to let us have the ma- chines, or to work them himself in cleaning our Cotton. That the Cotton he produces is superior to our own cannot be doubted; and it will certainly rule the mar- ket to such an extent, that whilst he will dispose of his superior article to the European merchants, we shall be totally unable to dispose of our inferior and dirty commodity. Under such circumstances we shall have no alternative, but to adopt the gin, or lose the trade by which we make our bread. One point however still remains to be ascertained. The ginned Cotton is evi- dently superior, and ought to bear a much higher price ;

' but will this increased value be sufficient to pay us for

our additional trouble ?” Testimony of thé Brokers that dirty Cotton was

"more profitable than clean Cotton.—A deputation of

Cotton Brokers next waited on Mr. Finnie, to learn

_how much they were likely to get for Cotton cleaned _ by the gin, and if there was a market for the ginned , article. Hitherto, they said, they had found the dirty

f

Cotton sell almost as readily as clean Cotton, with but a very trifling difference in the price; and certainly the dirty Cotton was more profitable than the best and

173

174

175

112 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2ND SEASON.

cleanest article they could get. The ginned Cotton, they admitted, was certainly superior to their own churkaed Cotton; but then they always engaged to deliver their Cotton with the dirt in it, and if that dirt | were removed by the thresher and gins, then it would have to be made up with additional Cotton; and unless — a much higher price could be obtaimed for the ginned | article, they would be absolute losers by the improve- ment. Mr. Finnie considered that this argument was conclusive. Dr. Wight had already stated that ginned Cotton only brought in England one farthing more per pound than the com- mon churkaed Cotton; and the loss in dirt alone amounted nearly to that sum. Mr. Finnie admitted that the use of the gin was merely a question of profit and loss. If the Natives could realize a profit by it, they would adopt it at once. Its success therefore rested solely upon the willingness of the merchant and manu- facturer to pay a higher price for the improved article. Hitherto the men in England, who had been loudest in their cry for clean Cotton, had been only anxious to secure all the advantage for themselves, and to take the clean Cotton from the poor Ryot at the same price as they had hitherto given for the dirty article.

Para. 170.

MR. FINNIE’S NOTES ON THE PECULIARITIES OF THE COTTON TRADE IN TINNEVELLY.

Systematic adulteration of Indian Cotton: transac- tions between the Ryots, the Brokers, the Chitties, and the European Agent.—In order to explain the causes of the systematic adulteration of Cotton, Mr. | Finnie entered at considerable length upon the manner in which the Indian Cotton trade was conducted. The results may be thus exhibited. The Ryot is the planter who cultivates the Cotton. The Broker is the Cotton cleaner, who takes the Cotton from the Ryot and delivers it to the Chitty. Again, the Chitty is both merchant and banker :—a merchant so far as he contracts with the European Agents on the coast for the delivery of so much Cotton at a certain price; and

1846-47.| MR. FINNIE ON INDIAN COTTON TRADE. 113

a banker so far as he makes advances to the Broker, who again makes advances to the Ryot, for the pur- pose of securing the Cotton crop when it is ready for delivery.

The Ryot: improvident and helplessly in debt.— The Ryot produces the Cotton of the country. He is always as deep in the Broker’s books as his credit will permit ; and consequently cannot stir without an ad- vance from the Broker on the security of the coming crop. Accordingly the Broker first obtains an advance from the Chitty, who is the monied man in all these transactions, and then advances to the Ryot. The Broker, however, must look sharply after the Ryot, and see that he really does plant his land with sufficient Cotton to meet his engagements; otherwise the Ryot, with his usual reckless improvidence, would spend all the money in a big feast, or wedding, or nautch dance, or some other sort of “ tumasha.”

The Broker: adulteration of the Cotton by the

_ “Devil’s dust” system.—The Cotton crop is delivered

to the Broker whilst it is still in seed. The Broker

is particular in classifying the seed Cotton, and pays

the Ryot for it according to its cleanliness. Next he has much of the trash and rotten locks picked out; not to make the Cotton better, but because the rubbish

chokes the churka, and prevents it from working. The

good Cotton staple 1s then separated from the seed.

After this is done the adulteration commences; for the

' Chitty contracts so closely with the Broker, that the _ latter is compelled to resort to what is called the “ De-

{

-vil’s dust’ system, in order to secure a living profit. . This system may be thus described. The rotten Cotton

' geed, which had been thrown on one side lest it should | choke the churka, is beaten with a stone to loosen the ' fibre from the seed, and then passed through the churka.

Then the good Cotton and the bad Cotton are both taken into a little room six feet by six, which is entered

' by a low door about a foot and a half high and two feet ‘ wide, and ventilated at a little hole through the outer

wall. The object in view is to thoroughly mix the good and bad fibre together. Accordingly, two men go into I

176

~J

78,

114 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2ND SEASON.

this little dungeon with a bundle of long smooth rods in each hand. Each man ties a cloth over his mouth and nose, to prevent his inhaling the flying fibres of Cotton ; and one man places his back against the little door so as to prevent any waste. Then they both set to work and whip the Cotton with their rods, in order to mix the bad and good so thoroughly together that a very tolerable article is turned out. If, after all this “bedevilling,” the Broker can get a living price for his article, he delivers it to the Chitty just as it is, with the addition of only a few seeds. Usually, however, he is shaved so close as to be driven to resort to other means to realize a profit. Accordingly headds a hand- ful or two of seed to every bundle, or lets it get in by accident; and in this state the Cotton is finally de- livered to the Chitty.*

The Chitty: tricks played with the European Agents.—Nothing now remained but for the Chitty to pass off the Cotton upon the European Agent at the coast. It is usually the custom for the Chitty to make a contract with his European Agent, before he himself makes his contract with the Broker. The con- tract is made for such a quantity of Cotton of such a quality; and of course the very lowest sum is fixed. The Chitty agrees to the contract; knowing that the | price fixed is msufficient to secure the quality con-— tracted for; but knowing also that when the time for delivery arrives, the Agent must take just what he, the Chitty, chooses to deliver. In other words, the Chitty knows that the European Agents have their engage- ments to meet; that they have made all their arrange- ments for shipment; and that perhaps they have a

_ * A curious instance of adulteration is recorded by Dr. Wight. On one occasion he had several bales of damaged American Cotton, which he did not think worth the cost of sending home; and ac- cordingly he offered it for sale in Coimbatore. To his surprise the Cotton was immediately purchased at the high figure of fifty rupees per candy. Subsequently he learnt that this American Cot- ton was purchased for the purpose of mixing it with some inferior very short-stapled Native Cotton ; its long staple enabling the dealer | to pass off the whole at full prices as Cotton of the first sort. Parl.

‘Return (1857), p. 295. . att

1846-47.| MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 115!

ship waiting, and presses lying idle. Under such cir-

cumstances he delivers his Cotton to the Agent, who has merely to receive it. The Agent examines the Cot- ton by plucking out a handful and letting the bundle

pass. Perhaps from caprice or ill humour, he rejects a

bundle just as good as those he has taken. Then the Chitty gets angry, and orders his people to stop de- livering, as the gentleman will not take the Cotton. The Agent then takes the rejected bundle to induce

the Chitty to proceed with the delivery. All, however,

depends upon the state of the market. If it is brisk, and the Chitty finds that other Agents are in want of Cotton to make remittances with, he stops all rejection of inferior bundles, by threatening to throw up the contract; and then the Agent, or rather the young man employed by the Agent to receive the Cotton, is compelled to soften his tone, and to entreat the great Chitty to let him have the Cotton, as his employers will find fault with him if he does not get on with the shipment. If, on the contrary, the market is dull, the Chitty is not quite so independent. Some Cotton is rejected in bulk, and finally put on one side. But still the Chitty is prepared even for this emergency. With- in a day or two the Cotton is loaded on the bandies, and marched round the town; and then comes in fresh from the country, and is all taken as a very good arti- ele. The consequence of all these proceedings 1s, that ‘the English manufacturer will only give a low price for Indian Cotton, because he never knows what he is buy- ‘ing, nor what quality of Cotton will be found in the | bales, nor whether the staple will be dirty or clean.

| Conclusion of the season of 1846-47; difficulties in ithe way of conducting the ginning operations at _Aroopoocottah.— Notwithstanding Mr. Finnie had se- ‘cured a temporary gin-house in good work- wr. Finnie’s ‘Ing order at Aroopoocottah, he had still to . Jetter, 12th - ‘contend, according to his own account, with Parl. Return two great difficulties. 1st, He could not (1897)-P- 368. , purchase good Cotton from the Ryots at market price. 2ndly, The expenses of ginning were so heavy, as to 12

179

180

181

116 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2ND SEASON.

render its use utterly impracticable as a mercantile transaction. _ Ist, High prices demanded by the Ryots for their seed Cotton.—The arrangement made by Mr. Finnie to purchase seed Cotton from the Ryots proved a failure ; and he was unable to procure a sufficient quantity to keep his few gins in working order. The seed Cotton delivered to him was always so inferior to the sample that he was compelled to reject it; and though he was ever willing to take it at a reduced price in proportion to the quality, yet in that case the people preferred selling it to the Brokers. The object of the Ryots appeared to be to compel him to purchase the Cotton at their own price; but against this proceeding Mr. Finnie made a determined stand. Government could afford to lose, but if once the precedent of high prices were established, it could never be broken through. He considered that the object of the experiment was to ascertain if the business could be carried on as a mercantile transaction ; and if high prices were created, no merchant would ever succeed in carrying on the business. 2nd, Heavy expenses of ginning.—Mr. Finnie sub- __,, mitted at the same time a tabular statement, Meroe ou exhibiting the cost of ginning operations. Sept.. 1847. ‘This estimate was confined to the actual ex- (1857),p.280. penses of the day, excluding the rent of Letter,and the house, and the cost of machinery and

Statement to . Messrs. Ar- superintendence. Moreover, he reported

peat teed that the business was conducted, and the 1847. Ibid. expenses disbursed, under his own eye; Pp. $65, 888. and consequently with greater celerity and stricter economy than could be expected when left to the Native servants. From his statement, which is exhibited on the opposite page, it would seem that the net cost of every pound of gin-cleaned Cotton was nearly 83d. Accordingly, Mr. Finnie inferred that it was utterly impossible to use the gin in cleaning Cot- ton as a mercantile transaction. He also reported the same results to Messrs. Arbuthnot and Co., of Madras ; and the latter concurred in his conclusions, but trusted

1846-47. | MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 117

that a machine might yet be constructed, Messrs. Ar-

which would clean the Cotton in a manner Deter equally efficient, and at a less cost. The 17th Sept..

Statement of Mr. Finnie bears the following Retun —

title :—“Tabular Statement, showing the (18°7),2-565. quantity of seed Cotton cleaned in a day by one Thresher and three Gins, two of twenty-five saws, and one of twenty saws; the per centage and quantity of clean Cotton from a given quantity of seed Cotton, and the amount and per centage of waste; the cost of seed Cotton, cost of separating the seed from the fibre, and total cost per candy of clean Cotton in Rupees (reduced

to English money), and cost per lb. in English money.”

e

MR. FINNIE’S TABULAR STATEMENT.

Time required to clean No. of Saws. 100 lbs. of Seed Cotton. sy ate

H

No. 1. oe . me) ta eRs,” tag we ea eey

Gims.<~ No.2. .. Pen cae ee sae ES Mier 1

NEE fae Scag aac .' rapout 1° 0 lbs. Total of Seed Cotton in lbs. Avoirdupois .. ne sie DOO Total of Clean Cotton in lbs. obtained from the Seed “is eres Average of lbs. of Clean Cotton obtained from 100 lbs. of Seed 21°81 Cotton Seed in Ibs. after separated from the staple ve Lost Average of Seed obtained from 100 lbs. of Sced Cotton after ginning .. sie: 5 ey lah eg Rh ia Loss and Trash from epee in ce cig es cee Ee 293 Do. per 100 lbs. of Seed Cotton oy vised geal Loss and Trash under the Gin in lbs. ‘e My a. 18 Do. on every 100 lbs. of Seed Cotton . . » =.) 406 Loss and Trash and small particles of Cotton in Flue in lbs. 1 Do. on every 100 lbs. of Seed Cotton .. «| BS

ele

Imperceptible loss in lbs. We Do. on every 100 lbs. of Seed Cotton ove

182

118 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [38RD SEASON.

Ruud Bee eees: d.

Cost for Seed Cotton of six Podhees at Rs.

7-10 (15s. 3d.) per Podhee -* .49120=411 6. Cost of labour for ginning, or separating the

Seed from the Cotton vive is .. € 996=0 15 .22 | ‘Cost of cloth, sowing, packing, twine, and oil

for gins : .» 2 76=0 4113 Total cost of 1700 lbs. c a Botton: .. 65 18 0=6 11 7% Deduct amount realized for Seed, Rs. 1-6 } |

(Qs Bad eh ae J was le DeSean Net cost of 3702 lbs. of lesa Gutta exclusive | - of Establishment and Superintendence . 47 140=4 168 9 Rate per candy of 600 lbs. of Cotton after ad

ducting amount realized for Seed . 64 90=6 9 1 Net cost per lb. of Clean Cotton .. « ae 0 0 383

492

(5000)

Necessity for improving the construction of the Gin.— Upon the relative working of each of the gins, Mr. Finnies Mr. Finnie reported as follows. It will be giter, or remembered that he had two 25 saw gins, Parl. Return and one of 20 saws. Each of the two 25 (1857),P-279- saw gins required thirteen men a day to work it; namely, two sets of six men to turn the

wheel, and relieve each other alternately ; and one

man to attend to the gin, such as feeding it with seed Cotton, and removing the staple freed after separation. One gin however would clean 100 lbs. of seed Cotton in one hour; whilst the other would not clean the same quantity under two hours. Then again the 20 saw gin did almost as much work as the best 25 saw gin, though it only required nine men to work it; namely, one man for the gin, and eight men at the wheel ; the latter relieving each other alternately in sets of four. This last gin had been made by Mr. Petrie, and was pronounced by Mr. Finnie to be the best he had seen in India. These facts served to show that much de- pended on the construction of the machine, and that further improvements might yet bring the gin into constant and profitable use in India.

1847-48.] MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 119

Third season, 1847-48: stage of the Cotton experi- ment in Tinnevelly.—The general operations of Mr. Finnie during his first two seasons at Tinnevelly do not appear to have been attended with any particular result ; beyond ascertaining the facts that American Cotton would yield a good crop in localities enjoying the benefit of both monsoons, and that the American vin as then constructed could not be profitably em- ployed in commercial transactions. Accordingly, he now desired to extend the cultivation of American Cotton, and to take steps for insuring the co-operation of the manufacturers and merchants at home.

Planting operations: successful culture of American Cotton in the Courtallum valley.—It has already been seen that the American Cotton grown during the second season had only proved really successful in the Courtal- lum valley, which enjoyed the benefit of both monsoons. Accordingly, early in the third season, Mr. yy, pinnie’s Finnie obtained the Government sanction _ letters, 24th’ to establish a model plantation of about $27'y20¢

2nd. June,

a hundred acres in the same quarter. The 1547. Parl. cultivation was to be carried out upon (1857), pp. lands held by Government, and under his 273274 own superintendence, either by hired labour or by con- tract at so much per acre; but the cleaning, planting,

and preparation of the soil, were to be accomplished by

183

184.

Native implements, as an example to the landholders, »

and as an inducement for them to adopt the culture on their own account. At the same time Mr. Finnie proposed to distribute seed to all who were willing to cultivate the American Cotton, and to take the pro- duce off their hands at a fixed rate per candy on Goy- ernment account; and he hoped that in time he should be able to retire from the culture, and leave it entirely in the hands of the people, merely taking the produce at its value. He was perfectly satisfied that the Ame- rican Cotton would grow well, wherever the land en- joyed the benefit of both monsoons; and he had not the slightest doubt but that the people in the neigh- bourhood of those favoured spots would ypinutes of — find the cultivation a profitable source of Consulta

185

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120 coTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. | 3RD SEASON.

tion, 30th employment. The Government sanction Parl. Return was given on the 30th of June, and Mr. (1857),p.275. Finnie immediately proceeded to Court- allum to commence operations; but on his arrival the Mr. Finnies heavy burst of the south-west monsoon was paler sth = over, and he had to wait until the 10th of

arch, 1848.

Parl. Return September before he could commence clear- (1857), p.364. ing and planting. Notwithstanding, how- ever, that the Cotton was planted too late, we are told that it did very well and produced a good crop.

Unsuccessful culture at Sevacausey, Virdooputty, and Aroopoocottah.—During this same season, Mr. Finnie ordered a few acres to be planted with American Cotton at the three stations of Sevacausey, Virdoo- putty, and Aroopoocottah; merely, however, out of deference to the advice of Dr. Wight, and merely to Mr. Finnie’s prevent his opponents from saying that the letter, 25rd experiment had not been fairly tried. At Parl. Return the commencement of the season he ex- (1857), p- 279. pected a complete failure, but the results Mr. Finnies do not appear to have been quite so un- Ava. isis, Satisfactory as he had anticipated. At the Parl. Return close of the season he reported, that whilst See ae plants had failed in the open plains, those in protected spots had grown very well and yielded some Cotton.

Agency operations: Mr. Finnie requests permission to proceed to England to consult with the Cotton Manufacturers.-_About Christmas time, that is, after Mr. Finnies the Cotton had been planted but before it letter, 23rd had begun to ripen, Mr. Finnie began to Parl.Return grow exceedingly disgusted with his forced (1857),P.275. inactivity in Tinnevelly. “ Where is the necessity,’ he wrote, “of keeping me here to look at the working of three miserable gins? The gin-house, which is ordered at Sevacausey, will not be completed for six or eight months longer; and by that time the coming Cotton season will be over. Thus with the means at my disposal I can do but very little this year ; and at the same time I never shall be able to effect much for the improvement of the Indian Cotton, with- —

1847-48. | MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 121

out I have the 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 to patronize the pvenue measures which they urge on the. Honour- _ letter, 17th able Court of Directors.” The Marquis of #2"; (5... Tweeddale approved of this proposition, (1857), p. 275. and recommended it to the favourable eae notice of the Court of Directors. The of Lirectors, Court however did not see that any ad- 1848. ibid. vantage was likely to accrue from such a_ P-7/° proceeding, and therefore declined to comply with it.

Operations with the Churka, Thresher, and Gin: meeting of the Cotton Brokers of Tinnevelly.— Whilst Mr. Finnie’s proposition to visit England was under the consideration of the Court of Directors, mr. Finnie’s he was still engaged, according to his own }ftter, 28th account, in endeavouring to secure the co- Parl. Return operation of the people in promoting the (9°7).P-285. improvement of their Cotton. On the 28th March, 1848, he had a meeting with the principal Cotton Brokers of Aroopoocottah, and explained his views respecting the importance of attending to the cleanli- ness of Indian Cotton; as well as his plan for a European Agency, by means of which he could give a better price for the pure article than for the mixed dirty one. In reply, the Brokers admitted that the gin was an excellent machine, but said that it was too expensive for them. As regarded the thresher, they said that they were quite prepared to use it for taking the dirt and trash out of the Cotton; first, because it was both good and cheap; and secondly, because it loosened the Cotton on the seed, and thus enabled the churkas to do more work.

Cost of cleaning with the Thresher and Churka as compared with that of the Gin.— Mr. Finnie then gave to the Brokers for a few days the use of his gin-house and thresher. They brought their own Cotton, as well as their own churkas and people. The Cotton was

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122 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [3RD SEASON.

first put in the thresher, and then churkaed, for the —

purpose of ascertaining the cost of this mode of clean-

Mr. Finnies Ing. Mr. Finnie reported that the result

letter, 17th : : May, 1847. was highly favourable. The relative cost

Parl. Return of cleaning a candy of 500 lbs. of Cotton, (1857), P.288. he estimated as follows :—

ne.) A £os. d. | With the Churka....... 4 14°30 2-2 10 With the Gin.) 420. 10 3) 1 ieee

In a foot note, however, Mr. Finnie so far modified

his opimion as to bring the expense of both methods

more to a level. On the one hand, he found it necessary to beat the churka cleaned Cotton; and this process cost Rupees 1-5-9, or 2s. 83d., per candy of clean Cotton. But then, on the other hand, he thought that the gins might be worked at one-third the

amount stated, if they were properly constructed, and if the coolies would work at the ordinary hire for daily

labour, instead of insisting upon three annas, or four pence half-penny, per diem. |

Cost at which clean unadulterated Cotton might be supplied.—Mr. Finnie estimated the actual cost of the pure unadulterated Cotton, first quality, at 52 Rupees or £5 4s. per candy. To this was to be added the

beating, which cost 2s. 8id. per candy; and the car-

riage to the shipping port, which cost 2s. 10gd. per candy. Total, £5 9s. 63d. To this was also to be added the Broker’s profit, which was never fixed, but depended on the fluctuations of the market. Alto- gether, he calculated on the whole, that he should be able to insure a supply of the first quality of Cotton, at from £5 10s. to £6 per candy of 500 lbs. delivered at the shipping port.

Recommends the introduction of small hand Thresh-

ers and cheap Presses——Mr. Finnie still reiterated

that the dirty condition of Indian Cotton was not the effect of carelessness, nor of the inefficiency of the Native appliances for cleaning; but that it was the result of a deliberate design and systematic procedure. The Ryots brought their best article as clean, and as

free from dirt and trash, as the majority of American —

|

1847-48. ] MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 123

planters. But this best quality was never seen by the European ; but was all consumed by the Native mer- chants in their domestic traffic. The Cotton taken ‘by the independent Native states, was far superior to any that the European merchants could get at the price at which they expected to obtain it; whilst the refuse of that which was used for domestic manu- factures, was all reserved to be mixed with the article which the European merchant took for export. All that was necessary was, to assist the people with the simple means which they themselves desired. Accordingly Mr. Finnie proposed to give them small hand threshers, both to separate the dirt and trash ' from the seed Cotton, and to loosen the staple on the seed so as to aid the churka. Also, to remedy their defective mode of packing, by erecting small plain cheap presses in the villages; so that the peo- ple, instead of packing their Cotton in large loose bundles with their feet, might press their Cotton properly in neat small bales, say of 100 lbs. or 120 lbs., of which two would form a bullock-load.

Small hand Threshers and Presses sanctioned—The proposal that Government should set up a yy, mo. few small hand threshers, and some cheap mas’s letter, simple presses, in different localities, was 3i3° pat. strongly supported by Mr. E. B. Thomas, uae Sy the Collector of Timnevelly. Accordingly Niingied af” it ultimately received the sanction of the fousuta:

_ Madras Government; the number of the July, 18:8. different machines, as well as their local 1! P- 2%: positions, being left to the discretion of Mr. Thomas in communication with Mr. Finnie.

Mr. Thomas believed that Cotton was not adulter- ated by design, and that good Cotton was often sent home.—Mr. Thomas did not concur in Mr. Finnie’s opinion, that the inferior quality of the Cot- 4, mo. ton, and its dirty and adulterated state, were mas’s letter, the result of deliberate design and system. 7209une. Neither did he believe that all the best Return Cotton was used in the country, nor that the worst only was exported, nor that the European

(1857), p.284. -

191

193

194

195

124 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [38RD SEASON.

Agents on the coast bought only the trash and refuse. On the contrary, he believed that all the Agents were careful and rigorous in excluding bad and dirty | Cotton from their contracts, and that they made — every effort to secure a good article; and for several — years past he had been at various times into all their | warehouses, and had seen very much good clean | Cotton, which he had heard had fetched good prices at home. |

No market or: Agency required in Tinnevelly.—At the same time Mr. Thomas stated that a good market for Native Cotton already existed in Tinnevelly, and that there was no occasion for creating a new market, as Mr. Finnie seemed to argue. Cotton in Tinnevelly found a ready sale, and the price varied but little from year to year. Again, Mr. Thomas could not under- stand what was meant by the “ co-operation and or- ganized system,” which Mr. Finnie requested from the home manufacturers and the Madras Government. If an Agent for the purchase of all Cotton was intended, such an arrangement should be left to the merchants and manufacturers themselves; but such an Agency, with the advantage of competition superadded, already existed at Tuticorin, where six Agents were already established for the purchase of the best Cotton that could be obtained. |

Cultivation of New Orleans Cotton, and improved cleaning, the main points.—Mr. Thomas believed that the results to be really attained were :—first, the cul- tivation of the New Orleans and better kinds of Cot- ton; and secondly, the exercise of greater care and cleanliness in picking and packing. These results could only be obtained by patient perseverance and practical experiment amongst the people. So far as cleaning the Cotton was concerned, Mr. Finnie was profitably employed; but Mr. Thomas considered that larger sowings of better sorts of Cotton, and greater attention to the cultivation of Cotton by Mr. Finnie and others, would prove of much practical benefit.

Mr, Finnie’s design for a cheap Cotton Press.—Mr. Finnie subsequently wrote a very long letter in further |

1847-48. | MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY, 125

explanation of his views, but it adds little or nothing to what has been said before. He reiterated that the Agents at Tuticorin did not take the proper measures with the Natives themselves for securing the best Cot- ton; but added that this was not so much wr, Finnie’s the fault of the Chitties, who were screwed _ letter, 25th : ct., 1848, down to the lowest possible price, as it was Parl. Return the fault of the English merchants and (1897), P-368- manufacturers at home, who had not taken the neces- sary steps for creating a sure market for the superior article. He also forwarded a sketch of a lever press which he had invented for pressing the Cotton into a _ small compass for packing ; the elasticity of mr. Finnie’s _ the fine clean Cotton being so great, that tter, 3ist : y, 1848. _ the packing cloth was frequently torn, and Parl: Return a considerable loss sustained by the expo- {18°7),P- 366. sure of the Cotton, and the collection of trash. This press may be thus described. It consisted of two up- _ rights securely set in masonry, with a cross beam at the top. Between the uprights was a box, with fixed _ sides, but moveable ends at the top and bottom. Sus- pended from the cross beam was a moveable beam, which could be forced down upon the box by means of levers, acted on either by men or heavy weights. The Cotton was placed in the box and pressed into a bale by the cross beam, which was forced down by the levers. Mr. Finnie requested that this press might be constructed immediately at the Government Arsenal ; but it never appears to have been completed, as Mr. Finnie subsequently represented that he was engaged in preparing another simple press for Native use. Mr, Finnie’s sample of Churkaed Tinnevelly Cotton equal, to American.—Towards the close of the third

season, Mr. Finnie made an announcement to the Ma- »

dras Government, which serves to place the character of his whole proceedings in the strongest possible lght. It has already been seen that Mr. Finnie had opposed himself equally to the cultivation of the American Cot- ton and the use of the American gin ; and that he pro- fessed to devote his chief attention to the improvement of the Native Cotton, and of the Native methods of

126 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [38RD SEASON.

cleaning. Accordingly, whilst the subject of his pro- posed visit to England was still under the consideration of the Court of Directors, he suddenly announced that he had brought the whole question to a successful Mr. Finnies Issue. In May, 1848, he forwarded to the letter, 2ith Madras Government a sample of Tinne- Parl Return velly Cotton, which had been separated (1857), p.283. from the seed by the churka alone, but of which the particles of trash had been subsequently picked out of the wool by hand. This sample he de- clared to be a very superior article; it had been taken from a roomful, and was a fair sample of what the churka could turn out, under the new régime which he had induced the Cotton cleaners to adopt. If a quantity could only be shipped to England via Ame- rica, he was satisfied it would be regarded as a good fair quality of American Cotton. The Natives them- selves were scarcely aware that they could make the Cotton so clean, until he had thus induced them .to try ; and he believed that a few thousand bales of such an article, arriving in England from India, would be the most important event which the commercial world had known for many years. Already he had nearly the whole of a village at work in producing such very superior Cotton ; and provided that he were sufficiently encouraged, and that purchasers could be found willing to give a reasonable price, he pledged himself to have the whole crop of the district of Tinnevelly ultimately cleaned im this satisfactory manner. A safer mvest- ment, he said, could not be made; and he accordingly suggested that the Government should allow him to encourage the production of such an article to the fullest extent.*

* The following extracts from the letter condensed in the text will furnish some idea of Mr. Finnie’s style and language. ‘I have the honour, the pleasure, and the satisfaction to forward for the inspec- tion of the Right Honourable the Governor, a specimen of Cotton which was cleaned by the churka alone, of course, the particles of | trash being separated by the hand; and I now have nearly a whole village at work producing such Cotton as this; and if I am en- couraged to go on, I will pledge myself ultimately to have the whole

1847-48, | MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 127

Madras Government refer the sample to Dr. Wight, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Court of Directors. Before sanctioning large purchases of such Cotton as Mr. Finnie recommended, the Madras Go- 4,, tes of vernment referred the sample for the Consulta-

opinion of Dr. Wight and the Madras ee

‘Chamber of Commerce; and at the same Parl. Return

time required from Mr. Finnie a clear ‘%°!)?-?8:

business-like statement, showing how much Cotton of

the same quality as the sample forwarded, Mr. Finnie could command within the ensuing six or twelve months; as well as the price paid to the grower per candy, the cost of packing per candy, the cost of transit to the port, and the freight charges. In a word, the Government desired to learn the data on which Mr. Finnie based his statement, that a safer remittance could not be made.

Dr. Wight’s report: Mr. Finnie’s sample is ‘‘ good Tinnevelly,” which no one could mistake for Ame-

rican,—Dr. Wight reported on Mr. Finnie’s sample as

crop of Tinnevelly thus cleaned, provided always that purchasers can be found willing to give a reasonable price for the article. ‘“‘ Hitherto I have not proclaimed success, because I did not con-

| sider that it had been attained; but I believe now that we have

commenced a very pacific ‘‘ revolution” in Cotton among the demo- cratic republicans of Hindoostan !! A free and more independent race

does not exist. They are not fond cf a total change, especially when

unprofitable; but a little persuasive eloquence to convince them that

‘we are in earnest, especially when accompanied by the consonant ‘clink of the coin they like, will speedily bring them to compliance ‘with reasonable demands on their efforts.

‘¢ A complete reformation has taken place in some of the Native

‘Cotton cleaning houses here; hitherto they have been filled with

rubbish and a “compound of villanous smells,’ and now they are

clean, nicely matted. ‘This was effected by reason, applied through

the shafts of ridicule, of which the people are peculiarly sensitive.

“‘ Amidst mountains of opposition, I have persevered in my efforts to awaken an interest in the people on the subject of the importance to them, individually and nationally, of preparing their great source of wealth ina manner that would render it valuable abroad. The people themselves scarcely knew that they could make the Cotton so clean until they were made to try. They have never had a demand for a clean article, and it is not strange they did not prepare it.

_| Why should they ?”

197

198

199

the same time for 62d. Whilst, however, Mr. Finnie’s |

128 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [3RD SEASON.

Dr. Wight’s follows. It is such Cotton as would be jane? ius, called in Liverpool “good Tinnevelly.” In Parl, Return average states of the markets, it would (1857),p.283. realize from 33d. to 44d. per lb.; in more favourable states it might fetch 5d. or 5id. It is about the same quality as 300 bales of gin-cleaned Cotton, which were sent home from Coimbatore in the begin= | ning of 1847, when prices ranged unusually high; and which on that occasion fetched 53d. Six -bales of American Cotton purchased from Ryots, were sold at

BSS) Oe

ee eR

sample is the same quality as the 300 bales of gin- — cleaned, it must be borne in mind that gin-cleaned | Cotton has always sold higher than churka-cleaned ; first, because it looks better and is easier carded; and secondly, because 1t 1s more free from sand and other impurities, which add to the weight but detract from the | value. Mr. Finnie’s sample however is not a faithful one. | The particles of trash have been separated by the hand, | and consequently the sample is more valuable than the | mass from which it was taken, and which could not be picked in the same manner excepting at a ruinous — charge. As regards Mr. Finnie’s statement, that if) the Cotton could be sent to England vid America, it | would be mistaken for American Cotton; such a thing | is impossible, as the English Brokers would have de- | tected it at once from the shortness of the staple. In-— deed, the Native merchants at Coimbatore had valued the Tinnevelly at 39 and 40 rupees, or 78s. and 80s., per candy; whereas they would not value the American Cotton at all, as it had not obtained sufficient currency in the Indian markets for them to fix a valuation. Again, the fact that six bales of Indian-grown American | Cotton sold at Liverpool at 1d. per ib. higher than a batch of first-rate Indian Cotton, sufficiently established the superiority of the American. : Large shipment of Churkaed Cotton contrary to the orders of the Directors.— With regard to Mr. Finnie’s | request that he might be permitted to make large ship- | ments of the churka-cleaned Tinnevelly Cotton, im}, order to encourage the production of the article, Dr. |

1847-48. | MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 129

Wight explained that the despatch from the Court of Directors ordering the 6000 bales, limited the invest- ment to gin-cleaned Cotton. Subsequently, however, during the discussion as to whether or no the saw gin eut and injured the staple, he, Dr. Wight, had obtained permission to purchase about 500 bales of churkaed Cotton to be sent along with the ginned, in order to enable the spinner to ascertain the relative advantages of the two modes of separating and cleaning. The Directors had approved of this suggestion, but had mo- dified it by ordering that sufficient seed Cotton for a thousand bales should be purchased; and that 500 bales should then be cleaned by the gin and 500 by the churka, and the whole be sent home at the same time. If Mr. Finnie could therefore purchase the seed Cotton for this experiment, and would clean one half with the ein and the other half with the churka, his aid would be of considerable service. |

Dr. Wight’s system of purchase compared with that of Mr. Finnie.—Dr. Wight took this opportunity of explaining his own system of purchase, as compared with the organized system darkly alluded to by Mr. Finnie. He had ascertained that carefully picked Cot- ton is never dirtied or mixed with trash in passing through the churka or gin. Accordingly he had sys- tematically rejected every load of ill-picked Cotton, and thus was saved from the necessity, common amongst Native merchants, of mixing the good with inferior qualities. By so doing he was compelled to give from half a rupee to a rupee per candy more than the Native merchants ; but then he secured the pick of the mar- ket; and in all probability his Cotton would fetch higher prices in England than the generality of Native Cotton.

Madras Chamber of Commerce confirm Dr. Wight’s valuation of Mr. Finnie’s Cotton—The opinion ex- pressed by Dr. Wight on Mr. Finnie’s sample of Tinne- velly Cotton seems to have been fully endorsed by the Madras Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber found the sample to be very clean and of good yy ouch.

colour, but of short staple. Taking the _ terlony’s K

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202 .

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130 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [4TH SEASON.

letter, sth _ then extreme range of London prices for Parl. Return Tinnevelly Cotton at 3d. to 4d. per lb., and (1857),p.296. assuming that a parcel of uniform good quality would realize 34d. per lb., the Chamber con- sidered that a parcel equal to Mr. Fimnie’s sample, would realize that price, viz. 834 per lb., anda possibly might fetch 4d. per lb. more. Manchester Commercial Association pass a similar judgment upon the Cotton.— Mr. Finnie’s peg famous sample of Tinnevelly Cotton equal Court of Di- to American, was of course sent home to Ta eT the Court of Directors, and by them trans- tas)gaigs, itted to Mr. Aspinall Turner, the Presi- dent of the Commercial Association of Man- chester. The result fully confirmed what had been already stated by Dr. Wight and the Madras Chamber. In a letter from Mr. Turner to Dr. Royle the following judgment was passed :—

“T may say, generally, that the Cotton sent by Mr. Finnie, grown from Native seed, is very much the same as we have been in the habit of receiving for years past from Madras. You are aware that it has not entered largely into consumption in this country; and I can only repeat emphatically, what I have often asserted before, that it is a perfect. delusion in Mr. Finnie or any one else supposing that such Cotton will ever pass off to the spmners of: Lancashire as a substitute for American Cotton. It has nothing to recommend it, except being of a bright clear colour; the staple is miserably short. The Brokers’ report (Corrie and Co.) states that it has been destroyed in cleaning; but I doubt if it ever had much staple. The samples of American seed Cotton are very different, and are valued by the Brokers at 18 per cent. more than the others.” Such was the brilliant achievement that closed the third season of Mr. Finnie’s career. |

Fourth season, 1848-49: proposed extension of plant- Mr. Finnies ing operations.—The fourth season of Mr. letter, 31st Finnie’s operations at Tinnevelly opened ee 1848. with a bold representation, and two equally (1857), p.292. bold propositions. He represented that

1848-49. | MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 131

his labours in effecting an improvement in Native Cot- ton were of such vast importance, that he could no longer attend to the cultivation of American Cotton in the Courtallum valley, which he said was nothing more than cultivating an exotic in an oasis. Accord- ingly he begged that the plantation of one hundred acres at Courtallum, which he had cultivated the preceding year, might be planted for the ensuing season by the Native assistant. At the same time, however, he expressed his willingness to do what he could in extending the cultivation of American Cot- ton. Notwithstanding the strong objections which he had expressed to the establishment of large Farms ; notwithstanding his convictions that New Orleans Cot- ton would only grow in localities enjoying the influence of both monsoons; he was prepared to set aside his own views, and to establish one Cotton plantation at Aroopoocottah, and another at Sevacausey, on as large a scale as Government thought proper to sanction. For himself, however, he strongly preferred his own system of operating directly through the people. He would employ a number of Ryots, on monthly salaries of from ten to sixteen shillings per mensem, to grow American Cotton on their own lands; the produce to be their property, and when nicely cleaned, to be taken off their hands at four shillings per candy above the current market price of the Native article. The merits of the two systems may be easily compared. A Cotton plantation, under any circumstances, would cost fifteen or twenty pounds a month. If conducted by Europeans, the produce, however successful, would be less than the cost; whilst the enormous expense would frighten the people from the culture. On the other hand, by dis- tributing the same amount among the Natives they would be induced to carry out the experiment them- selves, and would certainly attain success, if success were really possible. These propositions, however, ap- pear to have met with no response from the Madras Government. At the time they were written, the Mar- quis of Tweeddale had departed for Europe, and Sir K2

Para. 184.

204:

205

132 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [4TH SEASON.

Henry Pottinger had succeeded him as Governor of the Presidency. ; |

Mr. Finnie’s matured judgment against the culture of American Cotton or use of the American gin,— Mr. Finnies Shortly afterwards, Mr. Fimnie had occasion iter, 20th to record his matured opinion in favour of Parl. Return the indigenous Cotton and Native churka, (1857),P-191. as opposed to the American Cotton and American gin. He could not, he said, after devoting his best attention to the subject, entertain much hope of the success of the American Cotton. It failed in Southern India on account of the cold nights which prevail after a scanty monsoon. If there were oc- easional showers of rain after the lst of February when the weather became warm, and if the ravages of imsects could be also avoided, then the American Cot- ton would succeed admirably; but in the absence of rain at that season, he was afraid that it would never become the staple of India. Again, as regarded the American gin, he could give no hope of its ultimate adoption by the Natives; and as for the European merchants, they never would be able to carry on opera- tions in seed Cotton, but must leave such work in the hands of the Native Brokers. |

Pronounces in favour of the Indigenous Cotton and Native Churka.— But whilst holding the foregoing opinions, Mr. Finnie looked hopefully forward to such improvements in the Indigenous Cotton and the Native churka, as would accomplish for India what never would be insured by either the exotic plant or the foreign machinery’; namely, the extension and improve- ment of the Cotton of her soil, and the consequent pros- perity of her “poor Ryots.” He did not indeed believe that any degree of culture would materially improve the staple in an Indian climate; but he considered that the Indigenous Cotton was capable of extension, that better culture would insure more ample returns, and that due attention to qualities would secure a large quantity of a most useful and valuable article. Already he believed that more attention was paid to the quality than formerly ; for the Agents at Tuticorin had informed

1848-49.] MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 133

him that more good Cotton had been received there from the crop of 1847-48, than had ever been known before; a result which he attributed in some measure to his own humble efforts to convince the people of the in.portance of cleaning their Cotton. The perseverance of the Natives in this course would of course depend upon the encouragement they received, and the induce- ments offered them to keep the different qualities se- parate, and the best clean Cotton unadulterated with inferior sorts. Ifthe Natives could make more money by selling the quantities separate, than they could by sellmg them mixed,—then of course they would keep them separate, and much unadulterated Cotton would be exported from India.

Native Cotton should be first threshed, next chur- kaed, and finally cleaned by hand.—As regarded the

separation of the staple from the seed, Mr. Finnie was’

satisfied that the time-honoured churka was a much more efficient instrument than was generally supposed ;

and he did not believe that a better substitute would

easily be found. ‘Two other processes were however necessary, one before and the other after the churkaing. Before the Cotton passed through the churka, the dirt, trash, and rotten locks, should be separated from the seed Cotton; and this, as Mr. Finnie had previously indicated, could be best carried out by the thresher. Then again, after the Cotton had passed through the churka, a subsequent process was necessary to separate the remaining small particles. This process consisted

_ In beating the Cotton on cots, so as to allow the im-

purities to fall below it; and this gave a lively and fine appearance to the Cotton, and rendered it really clean and beautiful, as clean indeed as the Cotton generally produced in America. This work was performed by hand, and was certainly tedious; but 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.

Erection of Mr. Finnie’s Gin-house and Driving Machinery at Sevacausey.—Up to the early part of 1849, Mr. Finnie’s ginning operations appear to have

206

207

134 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [4TH SEASON.

been on a very limited scale. Dr. Wight continually urged the importance of completing the order of the Court of Directors for 6000 bales of East India Cotton, but still little or nothing was done by Mr. Finnie. He had, as we have seen, three gins occasionally at work Mr. Fimnies 10 a small house which he had hired at etter, 7th Aroopoocottah; but during the second Parl. Return season he only ginned nine candies of Cot- (1857), P- 198. ton, and during the third season only thirty- six candies; thus making forty-five candies in all,— each candy being equivalent to about a bale. But early in 1849, the new gin-house, which had been com- menced at Sevacausey for the reception of the driving machinery purchased at Jaffna, was fast approaching Mr.Elton’s completion. The delay had arisen from letter, 24th the difficulty of procuring timber, which pril, 1849. : : Parl. Return had become scarce and dear in Tinnevelly, (1857), P-300. and which moreover had to be carried a considerable distance from the hills. In February, 1849, Mr. Finnie began to take the necessary steps for procuring two large 60 saw gins from Dr. Wight, and the driving machinery from Tuticorin, where it had been lodged ever since it had been purchased. The idea was to keep the three hand gins working in the hired house at Aroopoocottah ; and to set up five new gins in the new Gin-house at Sevacausey ; viz., two 60 saw gins to be moved by cattle, and three 20 or 25 saw gins to be worked by hand, in order to settle the ques- tion of hand labour versus cattle labour. Accordingly Mr. Finnie applied for three more small gins to be worked by manual labour at one end of the new gin- house at Sevacausey; and for two 60 saw gins to be worked by cattle attached to the driving machinery at the other end. The result was that the two 60 saw Mr. Finnies gins were obtained and set up; that the xiter, 2nd driving machinery was also set up; and Parl. Return that twenty bullocks and drivers were ob- (1857),p. 372. tained from the Commissariat department. The three hand gins, however, never appear to have been forwarded to Sevacausey.

1848-49. | MR. FINNIE’S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 135

- Relative cost of the Churka, the Hand Gin, and the Cattle Gin —But though Mr. Finnie had not been able to set up both the hand gins and the driv- Mr. Finnie’s ing machinery in the same house, he was g7ter iii

still enabled, a few months afterwards, to Parl. Return furnish the following table of the relative (1857),P-87. cost of the churka, the hand gin, and the cattle ma- chinery.

Cost of separating the staple from a Candy of clean Seed Cotton.

Big Aig) Peay) aueedie. tle By the Churka .. peed de 8 == 10.) Oc WO Bythe Hand Gin(contract) 614 4=—0 138 94 By the same (hired labour) 10 310=1 O 5 By Cattle machinery .. 8183 6=017 8}

Mr. Finnie pointed out that, according to this table, the hand gin, even when worked by contract, was more expensive than the churka; without taking into con- ‘sideration the original outlay, or the cost of wear and tear. Then again the cattle machinery was much more expensive than the hand gin; and if the calculation were made for the whole year, the cattle machinery would be found infinitely more expensive, as the bul- locks and drivers would have to be kept up constantly, even when no ginning was going on. If, however, the people would employ the bullocks in ploughing the land, as well as in ginning the Cotton, they might reduce the expense; but even then, the capital required for setting up such an establishment would exhaust the whole fortune of several Cotton dealers.

Mr. Finnie refused permission to extend his opera- tions to Coimbatore— Whilst the cattle Mr. Finnie’s machinery was thus being put in working (Aoi3i) order at Sevacausey, Mr. Finnie requested Parl. Return permission to extend his operations to Co- UES G Eee); imbatore. He stated that the people of Tinnevelly and Madura were now sufficiently aware of the importance of attending to the cleanliness of their Cotton; and

208

209

136 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [4TH SEASON.

that the Agents were at last stipulating for a well- cleaned article, which was the great object to be ob- tained as regarded the Indigenous Cotton. The people therefore in the neighbourhood of Sevacausey and Aroopoocottah no longer required such constant per- sonal attention from himself; and he consequently de- sired to extend his system over the length and breadth of the land. As a first step in this important work, he proposed to extend his supervision to Coimbatore ; where he promised not to come in conflict with Dr. Wight, but to devote himself to persuading the people to extend their cultivation of Cotton, and to clean it by the means already at their command, in a manner more suitable to the wants of the purchasers. Mr.

Minutesof Linnie, however, was informed that the

Consulta- Governor in Council was not disposed to tion, 16th : : : i May, 1849. accede to his application ; and that pending

Ee certain measures which were in contempla- 7" tion, and which would be communicated in due course, it was thought best that he should confine his operations to the districts of Madura and Tinne- velly. In other words, the Madras Government had already determined on bringing the Cotton experiment to a close, and dispensing altogether with the services of both Mr. Finnie and Dr. Wight. Indeed in the fol- lowing October, Mr. Finnie appears to have been on his way to England; but before noticing the circum- stances which immediately preceded this event, it will be necessary to glance at a few particulars which are best narrated in a separate chapter,

CHAPTER V.

DISPUTES BETWEEN DR. WIGHT AND MR. FINNIE, DISCUS- SIONS OF THE MADRAS GOVERNMENT AND COURT OF DIRECTORS, AND FINAL CLOSE OF THE EXPERIMENTAL CULTURE. 1849 To 1858.

(210.) Marquis of Tweeddale succeeded by Sir Henry Pottinger: breach between Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie.—(211.) Mr. Finnie convinced of the folly of cultivating American Cotton in India: Dr. Wight recommends his removal.—(212.) Points of the dispute: summary of the Correspondence,

DISCUSSION BETWEEN DR. WIGHT AND MR. FINNIE.

(213.) Mr. Finnie to Dr. Wight, 7th November, 1848: “I have had great difficulties in ginning, but have induced many Natives to plant American Cotton.”—(214.) Dr. Wight to Mr. Finnie, 15th November : “Your purchase of churkaed Cotton is illegal, your culture of American Cotton unsatisfactory, and your ginning too expensive.”’—(215.) Mr. Fin- nie to Dr. Wight, 18th December: ‘ My plans have all been approved by the authorities.’’—(216.) Dr. Wight’s explanations, 30th January.

(217.) General opinions of the Madras Government and Court of Di-

rectors upon the experimental culture.

VIEWS OF THE MARQUIS OF TWEEDDALE.

(218.) Propositions of the Marquis of Tweeddale in 1847: First, To relinquish the experimental Farm in Coimbatore.—(219.) Second, To establish small Model Fields under a practical Agency, amongst the Na- tive Cultivators.—(220.) Third, Toset up small Gin Establishments, and to ‘keep up good roads to the Ports.—(221.) Limits to Government Agency: the Manufacturer should purchase direct from the Ryot.

VIEWS OF THE COURT OF DIRECTORS,

| (222.) Despatch of the Court of Directors, 1848,—(223.) First, The Cotton Farm at Coimbatore may be relinquished: it has proved that the right Cotton can be grown, and the price alone remains to be ascertained. © —(224.) ‘* Agency confined to practical Planters” may be tried on a smali scale.

V:EWS OF SIR HENRY POTTINGER.

(225.) Minute of Sir Henry Pottinger, May, 1849.—(226.) The Ex- perimental Farms have been fully tried, and their continuance would be injurious,—(227.) American Cotton in any part of the Madras Presidency

138 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V.

liable to failure.—(228.) Causes of the failure of American Cotton: climate and soil_—(229.) Dr. Wight ascribes the failure in Coimbatore to the want of humidity, but humidity does not mean rain.—(230.) The Ryots should | now be left to themselves, with such aid as the Revenue Establishments

may give.—(231.) Mr. Finnie to remain in Tinnevelly till October to in- struct the East Indian lads in the use of the gins, &c.—(232.) Dr, Wight | should break up his Establishments in Coimbatore immediately.—(233.) | Gin-houses at Coimbatore and Aroopoocottah to be placed under the Col- | lectors for the use of the Ryots.—(234.) Unfounded complaint of the

Manchester Association : the Manchester Merchants ought to help them- selves.

(235.) State of Dr. Wight’s Farm at Coimbatore, May, 1849: 500 acres held by contract and 200 acres worked by contract.—(236.) Application 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. Finnie’s last letter, July, 1849: “The gins will always remain idle after Government ceases to use them.’’—(239.) Decision of the Madras Government as regards Dr. Wight, reversed by the Court of Directors, September.—(240.) Dr. Wight’s services to be retained: Mr. Finnie’s dispensed with.—(241.) State of the Farms at Coimbatore.—(242.) Dr. Wight cultivates American Cotton by irrigation.—(243.) Postponement of Dr. Wight’s Cotton Report.—(244.) Mather’s improved Churka.—(245.) The Manchester Cottage saw gin.—(246.) Twenty-four Cottage saw gins received by the Madras Government, 1849.—(247.) Report of the Madras Chamber of Commerce: the working of the Cottage saw gin unsatisfactory. | —(248.) Expense of the Cottage saw gin an inseparable bar to its employ- ment in India.—(249.) Dr. Wight reports favourably of the Cottage saw’ gin,—(250.) Prices of the Cottage saw gin to Natives and Europeans. | —(251.) Favourable report of the Collector of Tanjore: subsequently re-' versed.—(252.) Favourable reports on the Dharwar saw gin.—(253. Dr. Wight compares the working of the Dharwar gin, the Manchester Cottage gin, and the large hand gin.—(254.) Relative cost of labour on the Churka, the Manchester Cottage gin, and the large hand gin.—(255.) Three years’ progress in the Cotton Experiment, 1850-52.—(256.) Colonel Lawford’s cultivation by irrigation in Tanjore.— (257.) Mr. Wroughton’s Collector- ate Farm at Coimbatore.—(258.) Mr. Thomas’s opinion upon the best: method of inducing the Ryots to cultivate American Cotton.—(259.) Cot- | ton cultivation by Mr. David Lees in Tinnevelly : discussion concerning the right of Chayroot renters.—(260.) Discussion respecting the purchase of American Cotton on Government account from the Ryots of Tinnevelly. —(261.) Authority for the purchase refused by the Madras Government. —(262.) Completion of Dr. Wight’s Report, May, 1852.

DR. WIGHT’S FINAL REPORT, 12TH MAY, 1892.

(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 1861-52.—(268.),

DISCUSSION OF DR. WIGHT AND MR. FINNIE. 139

Ryots adopt Dr. Wight’s practice.—(269.) Refutation of the theory that the climate and soil of India are unfitted for American Cotton.—(270.) First, The theory is founded on the assumption that Indian Cotton has succeeded when American has failed.—(271.) Second, The theory is based upon a comparison of crops grown in India, and of crops grown on the Mississippi instead of those grown in Georgia.—(272.) Differences be- tween India and the Mississippi do not prove that the soil of India is in- imical to American Cotton.—(273.) Soil of Southern India: latter com- pared with that of Georgia.—(274.) Climate of Southern India not so congenial as that of Georgia: evil obviated by sowing in August or Sep- tember.—(275.) Leading principles of Cotton culture in the Carnatic: sowing before the North-east monsoon and selection of soil.—{276.) Ob- jection of Native. Spinners to the soft and silky fibre of the New Orleans Cotton.—(277.) Difficulty of separating the seed from the staple, and pre- judice against the seed as food for cattle-—(278.) Nothing wanted to secure a rapid extension of the American Cotton culture, but a steady mar- ket and competition.—(279.) Cotton cultivation on the Coromandel Coast : New Orleans, Sea Island, Egyptian, and Brazilian.— (280.) Partial suc- cess of Mr. David Lees on the sandy Coast lands of Tinnevelly: error as ‘regards deep sowing.—(281.) Sandy soils along the Coromandel Coast adapted to the cultivation of American Cotton. | (282.) Sir Henry Pottinger’s Government condemns Dr. Wight’s re- | port.—(283.) Recommends that, as the Farms had proved injurious, and .as the Agency was no longer necessary, all Government intervention should abe withdrawn.—(284.) Dr. Wight’s protest against the conclusions of the iMadras Government.—(285.) First, The Government Farms had not \proved injurious, but the groundless suspicions of the Ryots.—(286.) Se- ‘cond, The Government Agency had not proved unnecessary, as it removed ithe suspicions of the Ryots.—(287.) Retirement of Dr. Wight and final idespatch of the Court of Directors, 1853.

Marquis of Tweeddale succeeded by Sir Henry Pot- 210 ‘finger: breach between Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie. ‘—In 1849 the Cotton experiment in India underwent ,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 instructions, would of course be unworthy of notice, did it not serve to illustrate the stage at which the Cotton experiment had arrived. It ‘‘will have been seen that the views and the mode of ,procedure of Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie were diametri- jitally opposed. Dr. Wight had expressed his belief

HI

140 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V.

that American Cotton might be profitably cultivated throughout the Peninsula, excepting on the high table ~ lands, where the climate might prove too ec.d; and accordingly he had been endea- | vouring to ascertain by actual experiments, the princi- | ples of the cultivation of American Cotton under the conditions of an Indian soil and climate, and the nature } and extent of the advantages possessed by the American | gin over the Indian churka. Mr. Finnie, on the con- | trary, had expressed his belief that the American Cotton could not be profitably grown in any part of India, excepting perhaps in such isolated spots as enjoyed the benefit of both monsoons; and accordingly he had only planted a little American Cotton at Courtallum, and Paras.127, engaged a few Ryots to plant a little more aaa at Sevacausey and Aroopoocottah, but from almost the very first had regarded the latter experiment as a failure. Again, Mr. Finnie considered that the American gin, however well adapted to American Cot- ton, was wholly unsuited to the Indigenous Cotton; first, because its working was too expensive in a country where labour was so cheap; and secondly, because it cut the fibre of the Native Cotton. Accordingly, instead of cultivating “an exotie eee like American Cotton, im an oasis like } Mr. Finnies Courtallum,” and “ looking after the work- pet rd ~~ ing of three miserable gins” at Aroopoo- with his — cottah, he had devoted himself to the ex- ae ioe tension of the cultivation of Native-grown Parl. Return Cotton, and to the improvement of its ye ee | quality by methods already available to the

Ryots. The point however in which Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie came into direct collision, was the order of the Court of Directors for the 6000 bales of ginned East India Cotton. Mr. Finnie bought very little Cotton for ginning, on the ground that the price demanded by the Ryots was too high; and he excused himself from ginning to any great extent, on the ground } that his three hand gins at Aroopoocottah would not work properly, and that he had not got his gin-house }} and driving machinery erected at Sevacausey. These}

Para. 180.

Para. 204.

1847-49. | DISCUSSION OF DR. WIGHT AND MR. FINNIE. 141

‘matters, together with some others, are worthy of being ‘briefly narrated.

|. Mr. Finnie convinced of the folly of cultivating .American Cotton in India: Dr. Wight recommends his removal.—In 1847, Dr. Wight was informed that ‘two of the American Planters, who had », Wieht’s ‘returned to England from India, had re- _ letter, 26th

(ported that American Cotton could only pete Shoe ‘be grown in peculiar climates, such as _ (1857), p.164 ithose of Dharwar and Coimbatore. Accordingly, he represented this fact to the Madras Government, de- ‘claring it to be a mere hypothetical deduction, based ‘on an imperfect acquaintance with the climates of ‘India; adding however that he should have considered ‘the judgment of no importance, had he not discovered tthat Dr. Royle had adopted a similar view; and had ‘not Mr. Finnie fallen into the same error, and actually ‘stated in a note, that “he believed he might almost - undertake to eat all the American Cotton that would ‘be produced at Aroopoocottah.” Accordingly, about i\three weeks afterwards, Mr. Finnie com- 4, piynie’s plained to the Madras Government, that _ letter, 16th

‘Dr. Wight had accused the American poy’ Rosen (Planters of forming a “conspiracy,” for (1857),p.278. <the purpose of discouraging the British public from persevering in the. cultivation of American Cotton. The Madras Government however stated in reply that ‘no such communication had been received from Dr. (Wight. Meantime Mr. Finnie seems to have flavoured :his official correspondence with frequent sneers at Dr. / Wight’s proceedings; and on one occasion, in an official ‘application to Dr. Wight for some Ameri- p,. wient’s ean seed, he stated that he was “more and __ letter, 2nd

ymore convinced of the folly of trying to ee ‘make this country (India) produce Ameri- (1857), p.181. yean Cotton.” In reporting this statement to Govern- ‘pment, Dr. Wight pomted out that it involved a grave error. If the expression referred to India generally, it pwas altogether incorrect; and if it were even limited 3to Tinnevelly and Madura, still it was contradicted by

the fact that good field-grown American Cotton had

212

142 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V.

been raised in those districts, both recently, and also © in former years by the late Mr. Hughes. Under such circumstances, he was convinced that Mr. | Finnie had never given the experiment a fair trial, and that he never intended doing so; and he therefore recommended that Mr. Finnie should be re- moved from the locality where he had been stationed. | “Tn thirty-two months,” said Dr. Wight, “he has cost the experiment about 20,000 rupees, and has not grown one bale of American Cotton, or himself culti- vated, or taken continuous charge of, a single field. What he has done in the ginning department towards aiding in making up the Court’s order, I know not; but I believe very little.” In another letter, referring to Mr. Finnie’s sample of Tinnevelly Cot- ton already noticed, Dr. Wight severely commented on Mr. Finnie’s inconsistency. It seems Dr. Wight's that on the 4th of May, 1848, Mr. Finnie letter, 21st had consulted Dr. Wight officially, as to une, 1848. Parl. Return What measures he should adopt to overcome (1857), p. 293. the obstinacy. of Native dealers in with- holding their Cotton at reasonable prices; whilst on the 24th of the same month, only twenty days after- wards, he stated that he had nearly a whole village engaged in producing Cotton of a very superior quality, and pledged himself to have ultimately the whole crop of Tinnevelly cleaned according to his particular pat- tern. ;: |

Points of the dispute: summary of the correspond- ence.— The rupture between Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie began about the time of the change of Go- vernors. Sir Henry Pottinger the new Governor, rent however, declined to take any notice of Pottingers Mr. Finnie’s sentiments or of Dr. Wight’s ae criticisms; and of course within a few Parl. Return months the correspondence between the (1857),P-296. two prew warmer and more lengthy than ever. The points in the controversy will now be exhibited in the briefest possible form; just sufficient to illustrate the stage at which the Cotton experiment had arrived in the season of 1848-49,

Para. 33.

Para. 196.

1848-49. | DISCUSSION OF DR. WIGHT AND MR. FINNIE. 143 DISCUSSION BETWEEN DR. WIGHT AND MR. FINNIE.

Mr, Finnie to Dr. Wight, 7th November, 1848; «I have had great difficulties in ginning, but have in- duced many Natives to plant American Cotton.’— Having been ordered by the Madras Go- mr. Finnie’s vernment to assist you in fulfilling the tter 7th orders of the Court of Directors for 6000 Parl. Retum bales of ginned East Indian Cotton, I have 18°). P- 198. to report that I ginned nine candies last season, and thirty-six candies this season, making forty-five in all. I have however had great difficulties in the way of pro- -euring seed Cotton. Brokers here go themselves to the Ryots to buy the seed Cotton ; so that instead of the Ryots bringing their Cotton to me, as they bring it to you at Coimbatore, I have been compelled to purchase at a high price from the Brokers. The reason of this ‘is obvious. In Coimbatore you are so far from the coast, that there is no local demand; and the people are only too glad to carry their seed Cotton to your gin-house, where they find a purchaser at once. Tinne- velly however is filled with Chitties who purchase for the European agents; whilst there are also numbers of

( 4

Brokers, who gain their living by churkaing the Cot- ‘ton, and who will not see me deprive theron of their

livelihood without a struggle. I have however got ‘fifty-eight candies of Cotton, cleaned by the churka men; and I submit that the quality is equal to that of -ginned Cotton, whilst the staple is far better, and the cost much less. Then, again, as regards the working of ‘the gins I have had considerable trouble. The coolies, ‘who turn the wheels, have hitherto refused to work

| excepting by the day ; and I have only just been able

to induce them to work by contract at three rupees, or

\ six shillings, per 1000 lbs. of seed Cotton, including

_threshed work. As regards the gins themselves, I should also like to have the benefit of your suggestions ;

‘for, though properly fixed, they will not turn out so much work as yours; and the 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

213

144 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. | CHAP. V-

which you are so anxious, I have the pleasure to men- tion for your gratification, that I have induced many Natives to plant a little. Some have planted it by itself throughout entire fields; others have sown it with grain; others, again, have scattered the seed among the Native Cotton, with the hope that the stamina of the American may mingle their pollen with | that of the Native plant, and thus gradually produce a hardier plant than the American, and one more pro- ductive and of finer staple than the Indian.

214 Dr. Wight to Mr, Finnie, 15th November: “ Your purchase of Churkaed Cotton is illegal, your culture of American Cotton unsatisfactory, and your ginning too expensive.”—In reply to your letter, I have to Dr. Wight’s notice your purchase of churkaed Cotton, Ketter, oth your inducing Natives to plant American Parl. Return Cotton, your sowing two species together (1857), P-199. ¢9 obtain a cross, and your ginning oper- ‘ations. As regards the purchase of churkaed Cotton I can offer no opinion; as the purchase of a marketable article in the bazaar is forbidden by the Company’s Charter, and would require the special sanction of Go- vernment. As regards your having induced some Na- tives to grow American Cotton, I am not gratified. You were not sent to Tinnevelly for that purpose, but to show the people how to conduct the culture; and I consider that so long as you stand aloof as a mere looker-on, you do not fulfil your obligations to the} Madras Government to serve it as an American Planter. For myself I feel satisfied that the locality you occupy is much more favourable than Coimbatore for the production of New Orleans Cotton; and I think that had the ground been differently occupied during the past three years, the result would have proved more satisfactory there than it has proved in Coimbatore. But the fact is, that you compromised yourself long ago, by declaring that you were convinced that it was a “folly” to try and make American Cot- ton grow in Madura or Tinnevelly ; and now you will not try, lest you should rum the reputation you imagine yourself to possess. Whilst however you dof”

1848-49. ] DISCUSSION OF DR. WIGHT AND MR. FINNIE. 145

nothing, lest you should waste a few rupees of public money, you feel no compunction in inducing the poor

Natives to risk their little capital, and their labour, in —

an undertaking which you confidently pronounce to be hopeless. As regards your expectation, that by sow- ing the two species of Cotton together you may suc- ceed in obtaining a cross, hardier than the one and more productive than the other ;—I can only say that I can give you but little encouragement, as such a result would be contrary to the laws of nature. To obtain such a cross it would be necessary to open the flowers before natural blooming; to cut out the stamens be- fore shedding their pollen; and then to apply the pollen of the intended male parent to the virgin stigma. If its own pollen has once been applied, the other will not take effect. But even supposing this to happen, and a cross obtained, we should be no great gainers. The Native Cotton might be improved, but it would be at the expense of the American plant. Already the American Cotton is as hardy as the Indian Cotton, and would only be deteriorated by the cross. As

' regards the gimning, we pay for manual labour one _ penny (8 pies) per maund of 25 lbs., or three shillings ' and four pence per 1000 lbs. One 25 saw gin cleans

1000 lbs. of seed Cotton in about ten or twelve hours; and one 19 saw gin cleans 750 lbs. in about the same time. If the working of your gins falls below that standard, either the coolies are deficient in training, or there is something wrong in the gins. This last I apprehend to be the case; as in examining the alter- ations you have made in those gins you have returned, I find that you have spoiled both; thus fully proving that you do not understand the mechanism of the Cot- ton gin. I would therefore suggest the propriety of sending down an artificer, to ascertain whether the fault in the working of your present gins lies with the gins or with the coolies.

Mr, Finnie to Dr. Wight, 18th December: “ My

plans have all been approved by the authorities.”—]

is : i+. Mr. Finnie’s shall not discuss the subject of the suit fener don

ability of the American Cotton to India, Dec., 1848,

L

215

146 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. v¥.

Parl. Return nor of the American gin to Indian Cotton. (1857), p.202. J shall simply explain what you have mis- understood, and correct your erroneous views. You - now remark that the purchase of bazaar Cotton is pro-

hibited by the charter ; but in 1846 you recommended the purchase of such Cotton as was ordinarily churkaed by the people. As regards my proceedings in the cul- tivation of American Cotton, I have strictly adhered Paras.127, to the plans which I proposed in my letter 181. of the 26th January, 1846, to which you made no objection. In deference however to your views, and contrary to my own judgment, I recom- mended the establishment of a Cotton plantation in May last, but did not obtaim the sanction of Government. How then can you say that I stand aloof as a mere looker-on, and that I do not fulfil my obligations to serve the Madras Govern- ment as a Cotton Planter? JI consider that the main object of my mission here is, to improve the Native Cotton, and at the same time to do what I can to in- troduce the exotic. In the first, which is my primary purpose, I have been most successful; and 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? Ihave agreed to pay them two _ rupees (4s.) per month for each acre, during the two or three months that embrace the cultivating season; and also to give them two rupees (4s.) above the ‘market per podhee of 240 lbs. in the seed, or five rupees (10s.) above the market price per candy of 500 Ibs. of clean Cotton. If the business succeeds in the hands of the Ryots, they will extend the culture ; if it fails after a fair trial, then the experiment will be for ever set at rest. As regards what I have done in the way of cultivating American Cotton, 1 may remark in the first place, that my hope of producing a cross by mixing the American and Native varieties, involves no} very serious ground of dispute; in all points where §.

Para. 203.

1848-49. | DISCUSSION OF DR. WIGHT AND MR. FINNIE. 147

botany is concerned, I yield to your superior know- ledge. Secondly, 1 may remark that I have planted the American Cotton im every possible way, but it all looks wretched ; except some that is sown in Red land among palmyra trees, and those that are most pro- tected by the hedge look the best. I merely state these as facts, and base nothing on them either for or against the success of the plant in this country. Both the Red and Black lands, especially if well manured, would produce Cotton, if at the same time they en- joyed the climate of Mississippi. You say that this locality (Tinnevelly and Madura). is more favourable for the culture of American Cotton than the vicinity of Coimbatore. But this is opposed to your own reports. Here the soil is Black, and you have always asserted that the Black land is unsuited for the American Cot- ton; 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

_ benefit of both monsoons. How then can you assert

that the plant will grow here in Black land, which only

_ enjoys the benefit of one scanty monsoon? I think that _ an experiment of seven years, like yours at Coimbatore, _ 1s 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

<> — 4 = <> —= cm — en -—~ —<- — —

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 gims were in any way injured.

Dr, Wight’s explanations, 30th January.—You are correct in saying that in 1846 I recom- Dr. Wight’s mended the purchase of churka-cleaned (tter, sith Cotton, in order that it might be tried Parl. Retumn together with ginned Cotton by English (°°”)-P-?0%. spimners. This suggestion was approved both by the ‘Madras Government and the Court of Directors; but

L 2

216

148 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VY.

at the same time the Court directed that seed Cotton should be purchased by us, and then cleaned by us, partly by the gin and partly by the churka; observing, as I presume, that the purchase of the ready-prepared marketable article would change the character of the transaction from an experimental to a commercial one, and thereby involve our Honourable Masters mm an illegal proceeding. This was the reason why I recom- mended you to apply for fresh instructions, before en- gaging in a transaction which might bring the Govern- ment into collision with the mercantile interest, as — being a departure from the provisions of an Act of Parliament. As regards the establishment of Cotton farms in Tinnevelly and Madura, I learn that you readily obtained sanction for the establishment of a small model farm of fifty acres at Courtallum. Had you asked for a similar one at Aroopoocottah, in order to teach the Natives how to cultivate American Cotton, you would easily have obtained it. If however you applied for a farm of 500 or 1000 aeres, 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 eondition in the cultivation | of American Cotton in India. I was formerly, to some extent, of the same way of thinking; but now 1 am convinced that the opinion is most erro- neous. You propose that I should be sent into the plains, to try my skill in cultivating American Cotton on Black and Red soils with only one monsoon. To this I am most agreeable. I have long wished to have the experiment tried ; and indeed supported your application for employment under this Presidency, for the express purpose of having it tried by a skilful and zealous Planter. At that time you promised me your energetic support. However, a volunteer in the person of the Acting Collector of Tanjore, is now kindly giving me the aid which you then promised to me. He writes me, on the 6th December, “that American Cotton seed, sown early in September, is wonderfully fine ; plants up to 24 feet and 33 feet high, and loaded with bolls, and only waiting for the bright sunshine to J.

Para. 90.

cost of the experiment, which in 1847 had

1847.]| VIEWS OF THE MARQUIS OF TWEEDDALE. 149

burst. That sown in the beginning of October is just now opening into flower, and is only about one foot high, evidently kept back by the heavy monsoon.” As regards the alterations you made in the ging, they were not small matters as you represent. The position of the brush pulleys was altered; and the result was that one gin revolved the wrong way, whilst the other re- quired six men instead of four to work it. In fact, you injured their working properties, and then complained of their inefficiency.

General opinions of the Madras Government and Court of Directors upon the Experimental Culture— The foregoing correspondence was forwarded to the Madras Government by Dr. Wight; but by this time the whole question of the advisability of continuing the Cotton experiment in any form, was being brought under the consideration of the authorities. The whole

Statements

reached two lakhs and a half, or £25,000, of the Ac-

had now in 1849 reached to very nearly ¢ountant-

General,

- four lakhs, or £40,000; though from this Parl. Retwn gum total must be deducted about half a ‘8°”) P- #8.

lakh, or £5000, 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

i!

' that many practical results had been obtained. The

action of Government upon the matter can be best understood, first, by noticing the recorded opinions of

' the Marquis of Tweeddale, and the remarks of the - Court of Directors thereon; and, secondly, by bringing

forward the views of Sir Henry Pottinger, which led to the temporary abandonment of the experimental cul- ture in this Presidency.

VIEWS OF THE MARQUIS OF TWEEDDALE.

217

Minute of the Marquis of Tweeddale in 1847: Ist, 218

To relinquish the Experimental Farm in Coimbatore, —It has already been seen that either the Marquis of

150 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V.

Tweeddale had adopted the views of Mr. Finnie, or else that Mr. Finnie had adopted the views of the Marquis of Tweeddale. Accordingly his Lordship had on more than one occasion expressed himself favourably disposed towards the practical suggestions of the Ame- rican Planter, rather than towards the theoretical views of a scientific botanist like Dr. Wight. Shortly before his Lordship’s retirement from the Government of Madras, he drew up several Minutes, in which he re- ~ corded his opinions at length. In the first place he proposed the remission of one-fourth of the rent of all Paras.121, lands taken up for the cultivation of Ame- 128. rican Cotton ; but this subject has already been narrated elsewhere. His more important pro- Marquisor Position was that the Government should Tweeddale’s immediately relinquish all its Experimental sa yerette Farms and official agency for raising Cot- Fa ies ton. No fair conclusion, he said, could ever

7p be drawn, until private capital and enterprise were embarked in the trial ; and that would never take place, so long as Government occupied itself with the experiment. On the other hand, if one-half of the amount that had been expended, had been offered as a | bonus to private -enterprise,—either in the form of © advances for the erection of gins and other machinery, or in that of grants of land rent free for a specified — term,—he believed that the question would already © have been brought to an issue. Again, no fair con- clusion could be drawn from a Government Farm, superintended by men who were not practical agricul- turists, and who consequently were not able to direct the labour of those under them ; but who used Govern- ment capital and Commissariat cattle, which the Native cultivator could not command; and who moreover had no direct interest in the success of the experiment, nor in the limitation of the expenditure. His Lordship did not include Mr. Finnie in these remarks, as he believed it to be a great advantage to Government, to be able to command the services of a practical Cotton Planter. At the same time he expressed an opinion similar to that | expressed by Mr. Finnie; namely, that imstead of at-—

1847.| VIEWS OF THE MARQUIS OF TWEEDDALE. 151

tempting to force on the Ryots the cultivation of American Cotton, efforts should be directed towards the improvement of the Cotton already cultivated in the country.

2nd, To establish small model fields, under a prac- tical Agency, amongst the Native cultivators.— With these views, the Marquis of Tweeddale ad- 4... nis of vocated the establishment of an Agency, Tweeddale’s confined to practical Planters. He would jimute jth not place large Farms in their hands, but a Parl. Return few small patches of land, as model fields, ‘"8°)+P- 16% in the midst of the Native cultivation. He believed that it was not the soil, nor the plant, nor the land-tax, which shut the Indian Cotton out of the European markets ; but that it was want of skill, and ignorance of practical causes. Accordingly, he would urge on the Collectors and their Assistants, the expediency of acquiring from the American Planter a practical know- ledge of Cotton culture. He would also urge on the Agents themselves, the importance of improving all the species of Cotton which were already cultivated in India, and of inducing Native agriculturists gradually to adopt those approved and inexpensive modes of cul- ture, which could easily be engrafted on his own.*

ord, To set up small Gin establishments, and to keep up good roads to the Ports,—These efforts to im- prove the culture of Native Cotton ought to be accom- panied by more economical and experienced methods of gathering and cleaning the crop, and in preparing it for

* The Marquis of Tweeddale’s proposition for the improvement of Native Cotton, was communicated to his Excellency Sir William Denison, who thus describes the process suggested, in a Minute dated 29th October, 1861. ‘‘ From the seed pods of this year’s crop take out those seeds to which the longest fibres are attached, establishing a minimum length of fibre, and throwing away all those seeds the Cotton of which does not reach this standard; these selected seeds will be used for the next crop, and a similar process will be followed with this, the minimum length being increased every year. In this way, in the course of a few years, it is probable that a permanent addition will be made to the length and possibly to the fineness of the fibre, and it will then be easy to spread the seed of the improved kind over the whole of the Indigenous Cotton fields of India.”’

219

220

152 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [ CHAP. V.

the market. Improvements in this direction should be effected, not by large and costly gin-houses, like that erected at Coimbatore, but by small establishments set up in each Cotton locality. The gins should be of simple construction, and should be provided at the cost of the Government, until the people adopted them; after which the Government should immediately withdraw. Again, it must be borne in mind that although foreign substitutes for cleaning Cotton are most valuable, yet the Native means of hand-picking, in a country where so many women and children belong to the cultivators,

. will always constitute an essential element in preparing

221

Cotton wool for the Indian market. But besides this improved system of culture, and improved means of gathering and cleaning the crop, it is essential that the Madras Government should, where there is no water carriage, create good roads from the Cotton districts to the several Ports, in order to give the Cotton of South- ern India a chance of competing in Europe with the produce of other countries.

Limits to Government agency: the Manufacturer should purchase direct from the Ryot.—The Marquis of Tweeddale expressed his opinion that the Govern- ment could effect nothing beyond the three objects already laid down; viz.,an improved system of cultiva- tion, better and cheaper means of preparing the Cotton for the market, and better communications to the marts or Ports. But even these, he considered, would fail to secure the desired end, unless the manufacturer or his agent were placed in immediate communication with the cultivator, and purchased direct from him. He drew attention to Mr. Finnie’s statements already noticed, that inferior and dirty Cotton was the more profitable article to the Native dealer, and even to the European merchant ; and that consequently their mter- ests were not identical with those of the manufacturers } or of the Government. The object of the manufacturer was to raise and bring into the market an article of such quality, and at such a cost, as might stand in per- manent competition with American Cotton. Whereas, 9 the object of the merchant and Agent was to obtain 9

1848.;| VIEWS OF THE COURT OF DIRECTORS. 153

immediate profits during the current year. If the in- ferior article yielded a better profit to the merchant than the selected article, the merchant would doubtless take it to any extent off the hands of the Ryot and Native dealer. Under such a system it was impossible to obtain for Indian Cotton a permanent footing and hold im the market. It would either be an unsaleable drug, or else would only fetch unremunerative prices; ex- cept during those occasional seasons when the American crop may be below the average, and consequently when there may be an enlarged demand by the manufacturer. To meet this state of things, the manufacturer must have his own Agent, who thoroughly knows what arti- cle is required, and who cannot be imposed upon by Native dealers to take an inferior article. At the same time, the Agent must be prepared to offer such an ad- ditional price to the Ryot or dealer for the superior and well-cleaned Cotton wool, as will remunerate him for the additional trouble that has been taken in the improved culture and preparation of the article. If this demand be a steady one, and such as the Ryot may depend upon, the superior article required will be produced at a cost which the manufacturer can afford to pay; and, within a few years, to an extent which is now but little anticipated.

VIEWS OF THE COURT OF DIRECTORS.

Despatch of the Court of Directors, 1848.—These propositions of the Marquis of Tweeddale, General together with some others which have been {tt trom already noticed, were treated at length in a _ ors, 4th July, despatch from the Court of Directors. In }2e.7 2" this despatch the Directors decided; Ist, (1857),p.179. That there should be no reduction of the assessment on lands cultivated with American Cotton, as proposed by Dr. Wight; 2nd, That Mr. Finnie should not be de- puted to England to enter into direct communication with the English manufacturers; and 3rd, They re- corded their decision upon the proposition of the Marquis of Tweeddale,—to relinquish the Government Cotton

pi

i)

bo i) Co

224

154 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [ CHAP. V.

Farm at Coimbatore and to confine the agency to prac- tical Planters,—in the two following paragraphs. |

Ist, The Cotton Farm at Coimbatore may be relin- | quished: it has been proved that the right Cotton can be grown, and the price alone remains to be ascer- | tained.—“ We concur in your opinion of the expediency | of relinquishing the Government Cotton Farm at Co- imbatore. We consider that the object for which this Farm was established has now been fully attaimed, by demonstrating that the soil and climate of that province are capable of producing Cotton of a description in every way suited to the wants of the English manu- facturers. The point which requires solution is, whe- ther Cotton of this description can be produced at such a cost as to enable it to compete successfully with the Cotton of America in the home market. This point can only be satisfactorily settled by leaving the cultivation in the hands of the Ryots: and not even an approximation to it will be obtained, by carrying on > the cultivation at the expense of Government, and under the superimtendence of Government Oilicers. The Government should, however, continue to afford its aid by distributing American seed, either gratuitously or at a trifling charge, to those willing to cultivate it; by authorizing the grant of small prizes for its success- ful cultivation, as we observe you have already done; and by using all the means in your power to introduce improved methods of cleaning the Cotton from the seed, without injury to the staple.”

2nd, ‘“‘ Agency confined to practical planters” may be tried on a small scale“ The ‘ Agency confined to practical planters,’ which you propose to substitute for the Experimental Farms, is not clearly explained; but we gather from the Marquis of Tweeddale’s minute of the 11th December, 1847, that he would have ‘ small establishments in each Cotton locality ;’ or, as he else- where expresses it, ‘small patches of land, as Model Farms in the midst of the Native cultivation.’ If the object of this measure be to ascertain by actual experi- ment, whether in any particular locality the soil and climate are suited to the production of the American,

1849. | VIEWS OF SIR HENRY PUTTINGER. 155

or any other description of Cotton, we see no objection to its being tried on a small scale. It appears to us,

however, that much information bearing on this point >

will be obtained, when the results of the experiments which you have authorized Dr. Wight to institute through the several Collectors of land revenue, with the view of ascertaining the most advantageous time for sowing American Cotton, shall be reported.”

VIEWS OF SIR HENRY POTTINGER.

Minute of Sir Henry Pottinger, May, 1849.—Sir Henry Pottinger arrived in Madras on the 7th April, 1848. On the 15th July he penned a Mi- Sir Henry nute upon the Cotton experiment, which jQ0u2"s was chiefly confined to approving of Dr. pea Wight’s offering an enhanced price for New Retwn

Orleans Cotton grown in India; and to (1857), p.297.

sanctioning the establishment of five small threshers _ and presses in different parts of Tinnevelly and Madura for the use of Mr. Finnie. At the same time, Sir Henry Pottinger expressed a confirmed opinion that

_ however satisfactory the apparent out-turn of public _ agency might be,—whether through Government Farms ‘ or through purchases on behalf of Government,-—that

out-turn would form no criterion whereby to judge of the future; because the moment the public agency

_ ceased the stimulus would be exhausted, and every trace of it would disappear. He added that Government did

all that could be done to obtain the desired object, when it encouraged the people to exert themselves, and

placed amongst them qualified persons to advise and } instruct them in cultivating, cleaning, and preparing

_ their Cotton. Shortly after penning this Minute, the - Court’s despatch of the 4th July must have arrived at Madras; but some delay arose from the necessity of

considering what arrangement should be made on the cessation of Dr. Wight’s functions as Superintendent | of the Cotton Farms.* At last on the 4th May, 1849,

* It will be presently seen that the Madras Government partly

misunderstood the terms of the Court's despatch. The Directors

220

156 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [ CHAP. V

about nine months after the receipt of the Court’s de- spatch, Sir Henry Pottinger recorded his final decisions in a Minute, the points of which may be exhibited in the following form.

The Experimental Farms have been fully tried, and their continuance would be injurious.—The time ae has now arrived for the Government to Pottinger’s decide finally, whether or no it will continue me the Experimental Farms, and the employ- Parl. Return ment of Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie, and 1857), P- 209. their subordinates. The Court of Directors has distinctly intimated its concurrence with the views of this Government, that the Cotton Farm at Coimba- tore should be abandoned; and we might have acted upon that intimation at once, only I have been anxious to look narrowly into the whole question once again, in order to propose the outline of an arrangement for the future. J may here state, that from a careful perusal of the whole of the papers, 1 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 Experimental Farms the fairest, fullest, and most liberal trial; and I am there- fore satisfied, not only that they should be discontinued, but that their further continuance would prove injuri- ous to the cause they were intended to promote; inas- much as it would lead the Ryots to believe that Govern- ment alone possessed the means and faculty of either raising the American Cotton, or of improving the cul- ture and quality of the Cotton of the country. |

American Cotton in any part of the Madras Pre- sidency liable to failure——The Experimental Farms have undeniably established the fact that American Cotton can be grown in the Madras Presidency, and that it will occasionally produce remunerative crops ; but I am strongly impressed with the view that it will in ali cases be liable to failure from the unsuitableness of climate and soil. The American Planters, indeed, were desirous only of relinquishing the Cotton Farm at Coimbatore ;

not of removing Dr. Wight from his position of Superintendent of the Cotton Experiment.

1849.| VIEWS OF SIR HENRY POTTINGER. 157

have gone farther, and have pronounced that the ex- periment in this Presidency is altogether hopeless ; and not one of them has ever supported the sanguine hopes and predictions of Dr. Wight or Mr. Wroughton. However, the period for predictions and prospects has passed away; and the Farms themselves have merged into a mere mercantile speculation.

Causes of the failure of American Cotton: climate and soil_—It would be useless, and indeed I am not qualified, to discuss at length the causes of the failure. I believe that the failure is to be ascribed to the natural defects of climate and soil, and especially to the former. I appeal to all persons, who have practically studied the subject for any length of time in India, to say whether such defects are not often unaccountably in- surmountable; and whether, even when they are over- come, the success is not to be attributed to some secret working of nature which it is impossible to fathom. I have never attempted the cultivation of Cotton, but I have been a very successful practical gardener in vari- ous parts of India; and I have constantly found it impossible to bring to perfection in one place, the plants which flourished most luxuriantly in another. Who, for instance, can explain why the delicious Mangostein is confined to a small circle in the Straits of Malacca ? Why the Maize, which in every part of India requires unceasing irrigation, will yet grow as a dry crop on the hills in the vicinity of Nankin? Why the Pumplenoses (West Indian Shaddock) which grew in my garden at Bhooj, in the rich and proverbially hot climate of Kutch, were far superior, both in size and flavour, to any that I have ever seen either at Bombay or on the coast of Malabar ?

Dr. Wight ascribes the failure in Coimbatore to the want of humidity, but humidity does not mean rain.—I see that Dr. Wight attributes the failure of the American Cotton in Coimbatore to the want of humidity; and I understand him to signify that the humidity of a climate depends upon the quantity of rain that falls. To this definition I beg to differ. The climate of the lower parts of Scinde is for some months

228

229

231

158 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. | CHAP. V.

the most humid I ever lived in; and yet the rain, be- yond a few showers, does not usually fall in more than one year out of three or four. I believe also that there are other regions of the globe to which the same re-

mark may be still more forcibly applied. |

The Ryots should now be left to themselves, with | such aid as the Revenue Establishments may give.— | I have made the foregoing remarks to show that I have not taken a superficial view of this important question. I give Dr. Wight the highest credit for his zeal and perseverance ; but had he even effected greater results than he has done, I should still think that the Ryots | ought now to be left to themselves. The Ryots, how- ever, will still have the advantage of such advice and instruction as can be given them through the Collectors and Revenue establishments ; and I propose that, after the departure of Dr. Wight, his two subordinate as- sistants, Messrs. Sherman and Cuxton, together with the East Indian lads who have been in his service, should be attached to the Revenue establishments, at | least for a time. Accordingly, the arrangements I now propose for Mr. Finnie, Dr. Wight, and the subordinates are as follows.

Mr, Finnie to remain in Tinnevelly till October, to instruct the East Indian lads in the use of the Gins, ete.—Mr. Fimnie’s engagement with the Hast India Company terminates in October next. He should | therefore remain in Tinnevelly until that time, under the orders of the Officiating Collector. He should at once desist from all further purchases of Cotton. He should also cease to interfere with the culture of Cotton, beyond giving his advice when asked for; because if he should tender his advice, and the crop should after- wards fail, the failure would be attributed to his in- novations. He should be ordered to devote his whole time and attention to the instruction of the Natives in the practical use of the gins, presses, churkas, threshers, and other implements required in the cleaning and preparation of the Cotton. One half of the East Indian lads now under Dr. Wight in Coimbatore, should be at once removed to Tinnevelly, and placed

1849.] VIEWS OF SIR HENRY POTTINGER, 159

under the instructions of Mr. Finnie; so that when Mr. Finnie retires, they will be able to take charge of all the Cotton machines.

Dr. Wight should break up his establishment in Coimbatore immediately —Dr. Wight should discharge at once all establishments which have been hitherto employed on the Experimental Farms ; and place his two assistants, Messrs. Sherman and Cuxton, and the remaining half of the East Indian lads, at the disposal of the Collector of Coimbatore.

Gin-houses at Coimbatore and Aroopoocottah to be placed under the Collectors for the use of the Ryots.— After the departure of Mr. Finnie, either Mr. Sherman or Mr. Cuxton should be transferred to Tinnevelly. Thus whilst the gin-houses at Coimbatore and Aroo- poocottah will be under the general superintendence of the Collectors of the district, each one will be in the immediate charge of either Mr. Sherman or Mr. Cuxton. The Ryots should, for a season at least, have the use of these gin-houses gratis, as well as the use of all

other agricultural and Cotton-cleaning instruments, which have been so profusely and readily supplied by the Court of Directors. But I do not deem it either necessary or desirable that this system should be con- sidered a permanent one; and both the Collectors of Coimbatore and Tinnevelly will be expected to report _to Government, when they consider that the time has arrived for requiring from the Ryots a trifling sum for the use of the Government instruments and machinery. _ The sole occupation of Mr. Sherman and Mr. Cuxton in their several districts, will be to overlook the proceed- ‘ings of the East Indian lads ; who, it 1s 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 recelving, on any pretence whatever, the smallest private gratification or Diese | for work done with the public machinery.

_ Unfounded complaint of the Manchester Associ- ‘ation: the Manchester Merchants ought to help them- i) selves,—I have observed that the Manchester Com-

232

233

234

160 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V.

mercial Association has recently stated, that it hag | been satisfactorily proved that New Orleans Cotton can be produced cheaply and profitably ; and that if | the same amount of encouragement had been afforded | in Coimbatore, as had been given in Dharwar, far greater quantities would have been produced. To both | assertions I most unhesitatingly demur. Small batches | of excellent Cotton wool have been occasionally sent to England from Coimbatore, but they formed the excep- tion and not the rule; and as regards the alleged absence of insufficient encouragement, I am sure that no one who has taken the trouble that I have done, to | obtain a perfect insight into the whole matter, will for an instant admit the correctness or applicability of the accusation. My own decided sentiments are that the Manchester Merchants must blame themselves, if there should be any inadequacy in the future supply ; unless they come forward, as they have been repeatedly urged to do, and apply their own agents and capital to the task, in which Government has set them the example, and pointed out, according to their own showing, so easy a course.

State of Dr. Wight’s Farm at Coimbatore, May, 1849: 500 acres held by lease and 200 acres worked by contract.— Whilst Sir Henry Pottinger’s Minute Memoran- Was still under the consideration of the pee Sir other Members of Government, and whilst Moutgo. | Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie were as yet ne aaa ignorant of the fate in store for them, Dr. Parl. Retum Wight happened to visit Madras, and to (1857), p- 211. Gall at the office of Sir Henry Montgomery, | the Chief Secretary. Accordingly, Sir Henry Mont- gomery took the opportunity of asking Dr. Wight to explain the exact state of his department at that mo- ment. Dr. Wight represented that he had about 500 acres of land, all ploughed and ready for seed. Part of}! this land consisted of waste ; and part was rented from | Ryots, who themselves held the land on puttah or lease}, from the Government, under the ordinary system of};

-Ryotwary tenure. As regards these last lands, Dr.j:

h

1849.| STOPPAGE OF THE COTTON EXPERIMENT. 161

Wight had agreed to pay the Government assessment,

and something more to the Ryot as compensation ;

that is, half as much more on dry land, and twice as much more on garden land.* The whole of these 500 acres was worked by his Farm establishment and cattle ; but in addition, he was preparing about 200 acres to be cultivated by Native labourers employing their Native implements and cattle on the contract system. The ploughing for the season had already been completed ; and he proposed to sow the land in two months’ time,

that is, im July, with three different kinds of American

seed ; and also with some Sea Island seed lately re- ceived from the Court of Directors. The Court’s order

' for six thousand bales was about half executed; and ' Dr. Wight continued to purchase Native seed Cotton, ' and to gin it, as it kept the gin-house cattle at work,

and the ginned Cotton yielded a profit of 20 or 25 per

' cent. on cost and charges. He had 100 bales of ginned ' Native Cotton at Cochin ready for shipment; and

8000 rupees worth of seed Cotton, purchased at Coim- batore, was being ginned as rapidly as possible. As regarded the culture of the coming season, Dr. Wight calculated that it would pay all the agricultural ex- Spee of the Farm, exclusive of his own salary ; and

e 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.

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 Na-

tive cultivators; and that the land had been engaged,

| and compensation paid, up to May, 1850. Accordingly

* All lands under asystem 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 Na-

* tive Cotton is generally grown on dry land or pujah. Dr. Wight

however had been anxious to try the experiment of growing Ameri- can Cotton on nunjah, or irrigated land. It need scarcely be re-

; marked that a higher rate of assessment is raised from nunjah than

from punjah land. M

236

162 coTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. v. |

one of the Members of Council suggested that the land | might be worked during the coming season, but not

beyond the season.

Mr. D. EI- lictt’s Mi- nute, 12th May, 1849. Parl. Return (1857), p. 2138.

Para. 121.

Sir Henry Pottinger’s Memoran- dum, 12th May, 1849. Parl. Return (1857), p. 212.

Minutes of Consulta- tion, 1st June, 1849. Parl. Return (1857), p. 21s.

Dr. Wight’s letter, llth June, 1849. Parl. Return (1857), p. 216.

Para. 39.

Sir Henry Pottinger however in- sisted upon the immediate transfer of the Farm to the Collector; and he expressed — his surprise that Dr. Wight, who had once recommended a remission of half the land | assessment, should now have actually agreed to pay, not merely the whole of that assess- ment, but an additional compensation of one half more, and in some cases a rent amounting in the aggregate to double the assessment ;—a proceeding which it was impossible for the people to understand, and which could only deter them from com- peting with the Government who possessed such a command of money and means. The Government order was then drafted in ac- cordance with Sir Henry Pottinger’s first recommendations. Dr. Wight appealed. He explained that when procurable he had obtained Government waste land ; but that otherwise he had been compelled to rent lands of the Puttahdars, or Ryots, who were — to all intents and purposes proprietors of

the land. This practice had been in force prior to his undertaking the charge of the Farms at Coimbatore, and was altogether unavoidable; as the lands could not be obtained without the payment of compensation to the Ryots, and the amount of com- pensation had been fixed before he was appointed. Dr. Wight also represented that his Farm had been repeat- edly ploughed for the coming season, and that conse- quently from two-thirds to three-fourths of the expense had been already incurred ; all of which would be lost unless the crop was grown. He added that this pecu- niary loss would be small in comparison with those injurious effects on the agricultural community, which were likely to follow the abrupt breaking up of an establishment, which had been in operation for many years, and when it was generally known that nearly all

> re a eS

1849. | DEPARTURE OF MR. FINNIE. 163

the expenses of the crop had been incurred. He there- fore begged that the establishment might be kept up for one season longer. By so doing all these disadvan- tages might be avoided; the excellent and thoroughly acclimated stock of seed would be preserved ; and some arrangements might be made for others, such as the Manchester Association, to continue the experiment on their own account. The Governor in 47, tos of Council however decided that the Cotton Consulta-

_ Farm should be at once transferred to the 0". 29th

June, 1849 Collector, who would carry out all that Parl. Return

was necessary in consequence of the en- \%"),P-218: gagements which Dr. Wight had made. Departure of Mr. Finnie from the Madras Presi-

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

i Directors ; but the proceedings as regarded Mr. Finnie

were fully confirmed. The latter gentleman left the Presidency in the following October, but before his departure from Tinnevelly, he addressed a letter to Mr.

| Elton the Collector of the District, respecting the

directions which he had received from Government to instruct the East Indian lads in the work- ing of the gins, and concluding with a general review or estimate of his own labours.

Mr, Finnie’s last letter, July, 1849 :—“ The gins wilt

Para. 233.

| always remain idle after Government ceases to use . them,”—Mr. Finnie reported that he should be happy _ to instruct Dr. Wight’s East Indian lads in the working of the gins, during the _ letter, 17th . fifteen or twenty days that were required tee

Mr. Finnie’s

uly, 1849. rl. Return to clean the seed Cotton on hand; but (1857), p.384

that after that period the gins would never be at work,

. as the Natives would never use them after Govern-

ment had retired from the experiment. So long, he said, as the merchants continued to buy dirty Cotton, so long we must despair of all improvement. Even ‘ the hopes which he had entertained the previous year,

| that the people would take more care in cleaning and M 2

237 dency.—Such was the sweeping measure carried out

bo

239

‘Para. 187.

164 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. ¥.

packing, had proved altogether abortive; for during the greater part of the season they had realized as much for the dirty Cotton, as he had given them in the early part of the season for the clean Cotton. Under such circumstances, all his efforts to induce the people to employ the gins had of course proved a failure. He had offered them the use of the machines for a mere trifle, and then for nothing ; but they utterly refused to have anything to do with them; “and the gin-house at Sevacausey, and the Ceylon machinery, will remain a cenotaph to the judg- ment of those who urged the purchase after I had ascertained that they were not required.” Mr. Finnie concluded his letter with the following expressions, which are worthy of preservation, as exhibiting his own estimate of his labours. “1 have not,” he said, “ con- fined myself to the track pointed out by pseudo-sci- entific theory, but have launched boldly into the broad ocean of practical utility, guided by the north star of common sense, which, with some knowledge of politi- cal economy, with due regard to cause and effect, en- ables me to draw approximate conclusions as to the results of certain plain measures in reference to national internal improvement and individual prosperity. My only regret is that I have done so little; that I have accomplished nothing for the benefit of this country and its Ryots; but I have done my best, and I can now return to my Native land with the proud satisfaction of having discharged my duty to my employers.” These were apparently the last words of Mr. Finnie. It is however currently reported that Mr. Finnie’s last words were of a very different complexion ; and were to the effect that he owed it, as a duty, to his country, to prove that American Cotton would not grow in Pomods Southern India, and that this latter duty information. was the one which he considered he had fully performed.

Decision of the Madras Government as regards Dr. Wight, reversed by the Court of Directors, September. —The proceedings of Sir Henry Pottinger’s Govern-

| |

1849. | DR. WIGHT RETAINED. 165

ment as regarded Dr. Wight, seem to have iid been altogether opposed to the wishes of front the the Court of Directors. Immediately after Court of Di the receipt of the proceedings, the Court Sept. rs19. sent out a despatch, in which they ordered (y3\*euae a reversal of the resolutions ‘which had ee) been passed by the Governor in Council. They were of opinion that, under the circumstances mentioned by Dr. Wight, it would have been desirable to avoid the abrupt termination of his arrangements. They had previously concurred in the opinion that the Govern- ment Cotton Farm in Coimbatore might be relinquished, because they had considered that the object for which that Farm had been established had been fully attained, “by demonstrating that the soil and climate of the Coimbatore district were capable of producing Cotton of a description in every respect suited to the wants of the British manufacturer.” But at the same time, | they had directed that the Madras Government should

_ continue the distribution of American seed; and they

_ had authorized the cultivation of fields in particular

_ localities, with the view of ascertaining whether the

_ soil and climate of those localities were suited to the

_ production of the American, or any other description

_ of Cotton. Whilst therefore they had believed that

_ the time had arrived for discontinuing the extensive

_ farming operations at Coimbatore, they had not intend-

_ ed to prohibit the cultivation on a small scale on ac-

‘ count of Government. Again, they had expressly

ordered that Dr. Wight’s purchases of American Cot-

_ ton from the Ryots at remunerating prices should not _ be discontinued; and it was neither their wish, nor their intention, ‘that Dr. Wight should be removed _ from the office of Superintendent of Cotton Experi-

“ments under the Madras Presidency. Accordingly, | the Directors expressed their regret that the Madras WGovernment. should have adopted a course, which could searcely fail to produce an impression, both in India and

in England, that they had become less earnest in pro-

_moting the object, pane a important to both countries,

240 -

166 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V.

of obtaining from India a supply of Cotton suited to the requirements of the English manufacturers.

Dr. Wight’s services to be retained: Mr. Finnie’s dispensed with.—The Court of Directors then ordered that the Coimbatore Farms should, if not too late, be cultivated according to the plans laid down by Dr. Wight; and that at the close of the season, both the lands, and the machines and implements, should be delivered over at a fair valuation to any company of Merchants and Planters who might offer to continue the experiment. As regarded Dr. Wight, they con- sidered that before giving up the superintendence of the Cotton experiments, he should be called upon to furnish a clear and connected account of the experi- mental cultivation on the Coimbatore Farms, and in other parts of the Madras Presidency ; together with such observations as his scientific and practical know- ledge might enable him to supply as to the causes of success or failure. Such a report, they said, could not fail to be a useful document, as a guide for those who might be hereafter engaged in similar undertakings. As regarded leaving future operations in the hands of the Collectors, the Directors remarked that little could be accomplished by those officers, unless the latter could look to some properly qualified officer to direct their proceedings, and to digest and methodize such results as might be obtamed. Again, considerable advantage was to be expected from the experiments which had been in progress under the superintendence of Dr. Wight throughout the Presidency, with the view of acertaining the most suitable time im the year for sowing the American seed; and such experiments would be of little avail, unless the officer, by whose suggestions they had been undertaken, should be in a position to examine and report on these results, aided by: his own extensive experience in the practical cul- tivation of Cotton in other localities. Accordingly, the Directors expressed their opinion, that Dr. Wight should retain the position of Superintendent of Cotton Experiments under the Madras Presidency, until these objects were accomplished ; but at the same time they

ingly he rented several garden lands, or

| | |

1849.| RESUMPTION OF THE COTTON EXPERIMENT. 167

approved of the decision of the Madras Government to dispense with the services of Mr. Finnie at the termin- ation of his engagement. Mr. Finnie, as we have already seen, left the Madras Pre- sidency in October this year.

State of the Farms at Coimbatore.—Meantime, Dr. Wight was staying at Madras preparatory pr. Wight’s to retiring from the service; but on receipt letter. eth of instructions from the Madras Govern- Parl. Retumn ment to resume his office of Superintendent (18°7) P- 231. of the Cotton Experiment, he at once repaired to Coim- batore, and placed himself in communication with Mr. Thomas, the Collector of the district. The lands he had rented, as described in a pre- vious paragraph, had all been given up to the Ryots, except two or three fields which had been taken up by a Cape Farmer named Prince, who had visited Coim- batore in order to receive instructions in Cotton cul- ture, and who but for that accommodation must have returned without attaining the object of his mission.

Dr, Wight cultivates American Cotton by irriga- tion,— As the season was too late for Dr. Wight to eultivate American Cotton as a dry crop, he resolved to try the plan of cultivating both Native and Ameri- ean Cotton by the aid of irrigation, as proposed in his Circular of the previous March. Accord-

Para. 237.

Para. 235.

Para. 111.

lands under irrigation ; and he proposed to have them cultivated under his direction by the proprietors of the lands, for the purpose of familarizing them with his practice. In these gardens he proposed to sow every variety of Cotton seed which he had in his possession ;

namely, Sea Island and Bourbon of the long-stapled | varieties; and New Orleans, Petit Gulph, and Native

Cotton of the short-stapled varieties. Dr. Wight had

also written to Mr. Cuxton in Tinnevelly, to ascertain the capabilities of the climate on the South-eastern coast for the production of American Cotton by a similar course of procedure.

Postponement of Dr. Wight’s Cotton Report.—The clear and connected account of the experimental culti-

241

242

243

244:

168 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [ CHAP. V.

vation on the Coimbatore and other Farms, which the Court of Directors had called on Dr. Wight to supply, was postponed for a while until the latter could obtain further materials. Upon this point Dr. Wight observed that such a report, to be really useful and satisfactory, must be comprehensive, embodying both principles and practical details. Ac- cordingly, the completion of the Report was delayed for two years and a half, and was not finally addressed to the Madras Government until May, 1852. Before however exhibiting the subject matter of this final report, three matters require especial notice; viz.—lst, An attempt to improve the Indian Churka; 2nd, An attempt to simplify the American saw gin; and 3rd, The further progress made in the cultivation of American Cotton. ist, Mather’s improved Churka.—This machine was constructed in Bengal, and obtained a prize, but was never fairly tried in the Madras Presidency, nor indeed does it seem to have been regarded as generally satis- factory. It differed from the ordinary Madras Churka, described in para. 25, in the following particulars. The upper roller was of steel instead of wood. ‘The motion of one was communicated to the other by means of a spur wheel and pinion instead of an endless screw, by means of which the upper roller performed four re- volutions to one of the lower roller. A fan of strong whalebone brushes was also attached, for cleaning the staple as soon as it has passed through the rollers ; much in the same manner as the brush-wheel attached to the American gin, cleaned the staple after 1b was

Para. 240,

Par]. Report (1857), Ben- gal, p. 367,

414, and 459.

Mr. Finnie s letter, 30th

separated from the seed by the circular saws. Opinions were expressed both by

Maren e Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie on the descrip- letter, 4th tion of the machine which was forwarded Sd pene to the Madras Government; and accord- Montgo- ingly if was requested that two Mathers’s for 7th improved Churkas might be sent to Dr. ek Wight’s experimental Farm. No further (1857), pp. report upon their working capacity is to be

found in the Madras records. From the

COTTACE SAW CIN

345 Size

ar

Fate?

‘

_ 1849. ] MANCHESTER COTTAGE SAW GIN. 169

reports published in the Cotton Blue book for Bengal, the improved Churka appears to have failed to meet the expectations which had been formed of either its cheapness or its efficiency; whilst its cost was sixty | rupees, or double the cost of the Cottage gin described In the next paragraph. 2nd, The Manchester Cottage saw Gin.—The Cot- 245 tage gin was an attempt to simplify the American gin, and so far to cheapen it, as to bring it within the means of the Indian Ryot. Its principle was the same as that of the American gin, and an illustration is ap- pended which will perhaps prove sufficient to explain its working. Instead of sixty or even twenty saw ‘ wheels, there are but four, and each saw wheel is only ten inches in diameter. The length of the Cottage saw gin 1s only two feet ; and its height is only twenty inches at the hopper, and sixteen inches over the brushes. The weight of the whole is onl abv: seventy-five pounds. The saws and beastie ayes are put in motion by wheels and bands ® °“” turned by two winches, one on each side, which may be moved by two children. The working of the machine is the same in principle as that of the larger gins. The seed Cotton is thrown into the hopper, and carried away by the circular saws; and as the seed 1s. too large to pass through the narrow grating, the staple alone 1s carried away, and the seeds fall down. Thus the staple is separated from the seed at the moment the saws pass through the grating; and the staple is cleaned and brushed off from the saws by the brush- wheel which revolves in an opposite direction. Twenty-four Cottage saw Gins received by the Ma- 246 dras Government, 1849,—The Cottage saw gins described above, had been constructed Despatch under the direction of the Manchester Court of Di- Commercial Association, as being specially Te¢poms, 7th adapted for the use of the Indian Ryot. Meee The cost, exclusive of all charges for freight (1857), p. 376. or carriage, was about £3, or thirty rupees, each. ‘Twenty-four of these saw gins were despatched to the Madras Presidency, in order that their efiiciency

249

170 COTTON IN THE MZDRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V.

might be practically tried. The results of their trial

by the Madras Chamber of Commerce, and subse- quently by Dr. Wight, may be thus exhibited.

Report of the Madras Chamber of Commerce: the |

working of the Cottage saw Gin unsatisfactory.—In

Mr. Nelson's November one of these Cottage saw gins — letter, 9th was submitted to the Madras Chamber of |

Nov., 1849. : ee: Parl. Return Commerce, and was tried twice in the pre- (1857), p. 383.

Chairman, reported that the members present regarded

sence of the members. Mr. Nelson, the ©

the result as unsatisfactory :—I1st, Because the mode of |

operation might have been deranged by a wrong ad- justment of the saws; and 2ndly, Because the gear might have been put in better working order by a person thoroughly acquainted with the machine. The results were thus summed up. The seed Cotton sub- mitted to the action of the gin consisted of New Or- leans, Bourbon, and Tinnevelly. With the New Or- Jeans the gin did not effectually separate the wool from

the seed; its action was frequently choked, and the >

small quantity delivered was considerably injured in the staple. With the Bourbon the effect was worse;

the staple bemg very much cut up, and rendered unfit | for spinning. With the Tinnevelly the gin entirely | failed to separate the staple from the seed; and such portions as came through were utterly useless for

spinning purposes.

Expense of the Cottage saw Gin an insuperable bar |

to its employment in India.—But even apart from these defects in the working of the Cottage saw gin, the Chamber was of opinion that its cost would prove an insuperable bar to its general use in the Cotton districts; and it was doubted whether a Native would voluntarily work a machine of such a description, even if its successful operation was rendered much more evident. The Chairman’s report concluded with the significant notification that no member of the Chamber had expressed a wish to purchase any of the gins.

Dr. Wight reports favourably of the Cottage saw | Gin.—Four months after the foregoing trial, Dr. Wight | sent to the Madras Government a highly favourable —

1850. | THE DHARWAR SAW GIN. 171

report of the working of the same gins. © py. wignt’s He requested that the whole of the Cot- lstter 20th tage saw gins then in Madras might be Parl. Return forwarded to his establishment at Coim- (1857), p. 584. batore, with a view to their being cleaned and fitted for work. He said that those already received had been found to do their work exceedingly well; all except the bands, which were unequal to the strain they had to endure during the course of two or three days’ steady working. He therefore felt surprised at _ the very unfavourable report of the Madras Chamber.

Prices of the Cottage saw Gin to Natives and Euro- peans.—A few days afterwards, Dr. Wight reported that he had received three applications for the purchase of Cottage saw gins, and re- Pr. Wights quested to be informed at what prices he March, 1850. might supply them. The cost price in Goverment England was £3 each, and this was of April, 1850. course exclusive of freight and charges. (1857). p. 385. The Madras Government however informed Dr. Wight, that he might dispose of them at twenty- five rupees (£2 10s.) each, or at a lower rate still, if he thought it necessary to encourage purchasers. These orders, however, were only to apply to Native appli- cants ; Europeans were to be charged the prime cost in England, or 30 rupees per gin.

Favourable report of the Collector of Tanjore: sub- sequently reversed.—About the same time Mr. Bishop’s Mr. Bishop, Collector of Tanjore, who had ‘tters, 26th also received two Cottage saw gins from 8th July, ‘Government, reported that they worked Renn a _yery well, and inquired whether he could (1857),p. 886. ‘be furnished with three or four more, at a moderate price, for sale in his District. Three months after- ‘wards, however, he countermanded the order, as the ‘Cottage gins tore the Cotton too much to be of ser- vice.

Favourable reports on the Dharwar saw Gin.— Meantime, a saw gin in use in Dharwar had attracted the attention of Mr. Pelly, the Collector of Bellary. Mr. Pelly had been informed that the Dharwar gin

250

251

252

250

172° COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V.

Mr. Pelly’s letter, 6th April, 1850. Collector of Cuddapah’s letter, 13th April, 1850. Parl. Return

(1857), p. 387.

upon the

Letter from the Revenue Board, 29th April, 1850. Parl. Return (1857), p. 386.

Order of Go- vernment, 3rd June, 1850. Parl. Return (1857), p. 388.

could be worked all day by two men alter- nately ; that 1t cleaned about 14 maunds (42 lbs.) of seed Cotton per hour, thus doing about three times the work of the Man- chester Cottage gin; and that it cost only 40 rupees. At the same time the Collector of Cuddapah expressed a strong opinion

importance of introducing a suitable gin.

Accordingly, the Board of Revenue solicited sanction from the Madras Government for |

the purchase of fifty Dharwar gins; twenty-

five for experimental use in Bellary, and ©

twenty-five for Cuddapah; at a cost of £4 each, or £200 for fifty. By this time, how- ever, further supplies of the Manchester Cottage gin had been received from England, making a total of seventy-two gins. Under

these circumstances the Madras Government was un- prepared to expend £200 in Dharwar gins; and di- rected that Dr. Wight should furnish the Collectors of Bellary and Cuddapah with as many Manchester Cot- tage gins as could be spared; but in addition author-

ized each Collector to purchase for trial in his District |

five of the Dharwar gins.

Dr. Wight compares the working of the Dharwar |

Dr. Wight's Gin, the Manchester Cottage Gin, and the- letter, 4th July, 1850. Parl. Return

that the Dharwar gin cleaned 42 lbs. of (1857), p.389.

seed Cotton per hour, and that it could be worked the whole day long, naturally led to an applica- tion from Dr. Wight, that he also might be supplied with a model of this machine, for trial m his establishment

large Hand Gin.—The report of Mr. Pelly, —

at Coimbatore.

The letter is somewhat confused, mas-

much as information as to the relative cost of labour |

on the churka and the various sorts of gins, 1s inter- mixed with arguments to prove that the reported suc-

Mather’s Machine, Bengal P. R.,

p.415. See very briefly treated. The Manchester Cot- also p. 463, _ tage gins were each worked by only one 60-saw gins man or one woman at atime. If worked at Coimba-

tore.

cess of the Dharwar gin was incredible. The latter question, considered apart, may be

by men, the average out-turn of each was |

1849-52. | RELATIVE COST OF LABOUR. 173

from 70 to 75 lbs. of seed Cotton per diem; if worked by women, the average out-turn of each was only from 50 to 60 lbs. On the other hand, it was reported that the Dharwar gin, worked by two men alternately, could clean 42 lbs. per hour, or 220 lbs. in six hours. The reported superiority of the Dharwar gins, was equally manifest when compared with the large hand saw gious, which were built after American models. The Dharwar gins, worked by only two men alternately, could clean 220 lbs. of seed Cotton in six hours, and could be worked for a whole day, thus cleaning 440 lbs. in twelve hours. Whereas the large hand gins, worked by eight men, four and four alternately relieving each other, could only clean about 500 lbs. in six hours, or about 83 lbs. per hour; and these eight coolies found the work so fatiguing that they could never continue it for more than six hours in one day. Accordingly, Dr. Wight applied for a model of the Dharwar gin; and the _Madras Government directed the Collector of Cudda- pah to supply him with one, but no further information respecting the working of it appears upon the records. Relative cost of labour on the Churka, the Man- 254 chester Cottage Gin, and the large Hand Gins.—The coolies on the Manchester Cottage gins were paid at the rate of one anna (14d.) for every maund of seed ‘Cotton which they cleaned; but on the large hand igins they were only paid eight pies (1d.) per maund. This enhanced rate had been found necessary in the © ifirst instance to induce the coolies to work the Cottage ‘gin; but Dr. Wight considered that had the lower rate ‘been always paid, their assiduity would have been ‘greater, and consequently the out-turn would have been darger. Again, it is curious to notice that the coolies ‘only cared to earn a certain amount per diem, and did not feel inclined to work more than was necessary to obtain that amount. Thus the women with the churka ‘could only earn each per diem from six to nine pies, that is from three farthings to a fraction more than a penny. The same women with the Manchester Cottage ‘gin could each earn two annas, or three pence, per diem with ease; and they might, if they liked, earn as much as 43d. per diem, but that they never seemed to care

256

174 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. Y.

to do. It seems doubtful whether this reluctance to earn so much, arose from a corresponding reluctance to work, or from a fear lest the rate should be lowered | if it was found that they could earn so large an amount > per diem.

Three years’ progress in the Cotton experiment, | 1850-52.— During three years, that is from 1849 to 1852, — the Cotton experiment seems to have proceeded with- | out many references to Government. This is not sur- prising considering the circumstances. Dr. Wight was carrying on his duties in Coimbatore by the express © orders of the Court of Directors, and in direct opposi- tion to the opinions expressed by the Government of - Sir Henry Pottinger. The gin-house at Coimbatore was sold to Mr. D. Campbell, a Madras merchant, who unfortunately died a few months afterwards. Mean-— time Dr. Wight continued to distribute American seed, — and to purchase the produce from the Ryots; and was > also engaged in drawing up the final Report, which had © been ordered by the Court of Directors. The general — progress of the experiment is thus set forth in this Re- port, which was addressed to the Madras Government in May, 1852, and which will be found fur-— ther on. During this period some other | Cotton experiments were carried on in Coimbatore, Tanjore, and Tinnevelly, which are worthy of special notice.

Colonel Lawford’s cultivation by irrigation in Tan- jore.— Colonel Lawford’s successful cultivation of American Cotton in Tanjore by means of irrigation has Pare wae already been mentioned. No results how-

ever appear to have followed. In July, 1849,

My. Bleaes Mr. Elton, the Collector of Tinnevelly, re- July, 1849. commended that a fair trial of Colonel (assy) aug, Lawford’s plan should be tried in his dis- “trict, as a comparison of the cost of culture Minutes of by irrigation with the cost of culture on onsulta- : | tion, 12th poonjah or dry lands, could alone prove oe ae whether the increase in the produce would (1857), p.305. be sufficient to cover the additional cost of production. But the Madras Government |

Para. 263.

1849-52.| MR. WROUGHTON’S COLLECTORATE FARM. 175

at that time was indisposed to engage in any further experiments, and passed a resolu- tion that if irrigation was to be tried at all it must be tried by the Ryots alone. About

Mr. Bird’s letter, llth June, 1849. Parl. Return (1857), p.318.

the same time, the Collector of Tanjore was anxious to

make a similar experiment on the annicut _ of the river Manney ; and he suggested that _he should be allowed to grant a tract of land, rent free for three years, to such Ryots as should be prepared to cultivate it with _ New Orleans Cotton. The suggestion of _ the Collector was strongly supported by the ' Board of Revenue, but the Madras Govern- . ment considered that it was precluded by the orders of the Court of Directors from _ granting any such remission of the assess- ment. The Collector, however, was permitted

Board of Revenue’s letter, 9th August, 1849. Parl. Return (1857), p. 317.

Minutes of Consulta- tion, 28th Aug., 1849. Parl. Return (1857), p. 819. See De- spatch, 4th July, 1848.

_ to distribute American seed at the expense of Govern- | ment, and to afford the use of implements to clean and | prepare the Cotton for the English market, and to pre-

_sent small prizes for its successful cultivation.

No

results appear to have followed the experiment worthy

_of record.

Mr. Wroughton’s Collectorate Farm at Coimbatore. _—About the same time, Mr. Wroughton, the Collector | of Coimbatore, left the Presidency for Europe. Mr.

ton has already been noticed. During four + seasons prior to 1849, he had carried on the ‘same experimental culture on a Farm of |: about sixty acres; and he was anxious that the experiment should be continued after his departure from the country. Sir Henry | Pottinger did not consider that Mr. Wrough- ton, any more than Dr. Wight, had estab- dished any satisfactory result beyond the (bare fact that American Cotton of a superior quality would grow in Coimbatore, and that jaf favoured by seasons it would produce very fine crops. The Madras Government, how- ever, authorized the continuance of the ex-

Wroughton’s successful cultivation of American Cot-

Para. 66.

Memoran- dum of Sir Henry Montgom- ery, 10th April, 1849. Parl. Return (1857), p. 306.

Memoran- dum of Sir Henry Pot- tinger, 14th April, 1849. Parl. Return (1857), p. 508.

258

176 cCoTroN IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. | CHAP. V.

periment under a Duffadar, who had been previously engaged under Mr. Wroughton, and who was now to

be placed under Mr. Thomas, the new Collector. No

actual results appear to have followed the contmuance | -of the experiment ; but some remarks by Mr. Thomas, — in reference to the obstacles in the way of inducing the |

Ryots to cultivate American Cotton, are worthy of notice and may be exhibited here.

Mr. Thomas’s opinions upon the best method of in- ducing the Ryots to cultivate American Cotton.— Mr. Thomas recommended the continuance

Mr. Tho-

ee jether, of the Collectorate Farm, because the cul- | 18th May. tivation of American Cotton would never Return be undertaken by the Ryots, without much

(1857), p. 311. ’ encouragement, and long and _ satisfactory

evidence of its feasibility. He believed that their re- luctance arose from these causes. First, the national apathy and dislike to enter on any new and untried method or speculation. Secondly, the fact that the New Orleans Cotton required a somewhat better soil

and moister atmosphere than the Native Cotton.

Thirdly, there was a pressing want of a home mar- ket and demand for the American Cotton. This last obstacle was the most important of all. The Na-

tive cultivator had neither the means nor the enterprise to grow for a distant or foreign market. The Native} merchant would readily buy the shorter but stronger

fibre of the Indian Cotton, because it was considered more suitable for Native looms and manufactures; but the American Cotton he would not buy. It therefore

large supply of New Orleans Cotton, or of any other commodity which the soil and climate of the district were capable of producing. In addition to the creation) of local markets, the object in view would be greatly facilitated by advances to the Ryots, personal inter- course, punctual payments, and other similar arrange- ments, private and mercantile, which would be practica-

|

i tis

- 1849-52.| MR. LEES’ CULTURE IN TINNEVELLY. 177

ble through an European Agency. Government also might aid the effort by a very slight and temporary re- duction of the assessment on all lands under foreign Cotton; but still Mr, Thomas believed that a sure and permanent market on the spot would be a sufficient encouragement; and that if the crops of Native Cotton could pay the land-tax, the crops of American Cotton would be able to do the same. ' Cotton cultivation by Mr. David Lees in Tinnevelly: 259 ' discussion concerning the right of Chayroot Renters.— The experiments of Mr. David Lees in the Qomespona- cultivation of American Cotton in Tinne- ence and velly, and their failure on the score of cost Pant Ronan of cultivation, will be found noticed in Dr. on ), p.319, Wight’s final report, but’a few additional ~~ particulars will find a fitting place here. Mr. David Lees had originally proceeded to Southern India, under the sanction of the Manchester Commercial Associa- tion, to make experiments and ascertain facts in con- nection with the cultivation of American Cotton. The ‘ success of those experiments subsequently induced him to establish his nephew, Mr. Arthur Lees, in Tinnevelly, as a Cotton planter and merchant; in order that he ‘ might continue and extend the cultivation, and at the same time purchase all the American Cotton that the Ryots were disposed to cultivate upon his own im- proved system. An obstacle, however, arose to his own cultivation from the claims of the Chayroot renters. These men paid a considerable sum to Government for ‘the right to dig up all the Chayroot * produced in the " Tinnevelly district, whether on waste land, or on land ‘occupied with dry cultivation. This right had been ‘farmed out from time immemorial ; and accordingly in December, 1850, nearly a whole year after the com- imencement of the Cotton culture, the Chayroot renters ‘claimed the privilege of entering the fields under cul- ‘ture by Mr. Lees, and of their digging up the Chay- ‘roots with a kind of spear about a foot and a half long. ‘Mr. Lees of course resisted this claim, especially as the digging for the roots was injurious to the cultivation of * A root from which a certain dye is extracted. N

—

- .seS

—_

—

178 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V.

American Cotton. The Chayroot renters then de- manded compensation. The matter was brought to the notice of the Court of Directors by the Manchester Commercial Association; and the Directors instructed the Madras Government to relieve Mr. Lees from any demand in excess of the regular assessment; and on the renewal of the Chayroot farms to restrict the renters to the uncultivated lands. The Madras Government, however, had already anticipated those orders, by can- celling the existing Chayroot farm, and by restricting the terms of future farms in such 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 Cot- ton, equal to what was levied on lands producing Chay- root. As, however, it subsequently appeared that Mr. Lees’s experiment had proved a failure, the quantity obtained being insufficient to pay the cost of culture, no alteration was made in the assessment, and things remained as they were.

260 Discussion respecting the purchase of American Cotton on Government account from the Ryots of Tin- nevelly.—In April, 1852, a correspondence arose respect- ing the purchase of American Cotton from the Ryots in Tinnevelly. It seems that Mr. Bird, the Collector Dr. Bird’s of Tinnevelly, had applied to Dr. Wight Aue igso- ~~: for some fifty or seventy bags of New Or- Parl. Return leans Cotton seed, to be distributed amongst (1857), p.233- the Ryots of the district. At the same time Mr. Bird had represented that if the Government would. permit him to purchase the produce of the seed on their account at the rate of nine annas a toolam (24 maunds) on the spot,—being the rate which had been previously paid by Mr. David Lees,—he was satisfied that the Ryots would accept the seed and cultivate it freely; and he added that unless a certain market were placed before the Ryots of Tinnevelly, they would never undertake the cultivation of the New Orleans plant. Dr. Wight forwarded Mr. Bird’s letter to Go- Dr. Wight’s vernment, and recommended that the au-

Ail’ iss thority requested should be granted. He

1849-52.] DR. WIGHT’S FINAL COTTON REPORT, 179

also suggested that, in such case, the Go- Parl. Return vernment decision should be forwarded to ‘°"):?- 28 the Manchester Association; as he believed that the Association would then be induced to establish Agen- cies themselves for the purchase and growth of exotic Cotton at several stations along the coast, and thus give an impetus to the cultivation, which no amount of Government patronage could supply.

Authority for the purchases refused by the Madras Government.—It is scarcely necessary to add that the authority for the purchases was refused by Sir Henry Pottinger’s Government. It was decided Naaaicate that the instructions of the Court of Direct- Sir Henry ors did not authorize the Government to iyi Boos sanction any such engagement ; that it was nee ’ the duty of the Manchester manufacturers ae faa tate to send their own agents to the Cotton- hal ead growing districts, to make their own bar- (1857), pp. gains with the cultivators. Ifthe rate pro- 75 254. posed was a fair one, it ought to be offered by the mer- chants ; but as it was, the proposition seemed to be in reality a suggestion that the Government should pur- chase Cotton at any price, and then sell it to the manu- facturers of Manchester at such a rate as was best suited to their trading purposes.

Completion of Dr. Wight’s Report, May, 1852,— About this time Dr. Wight appears to have completed the final Report which he had been called Dr. Wight’s upon to draw up by the Court of Directors. Report, The Report is a long one, but the following Nee ea summary contains the whole of the facts ee: and opinions set forth in the original docu- 8°") ?-?35 ment. This was deemed peculiarly necessary here; for though much that is stated has already appeared in former paragraphs, it will be convenient for the reader to have the whole of Dr. Wight’s matured results at one view. It will be remarked that nothing is said of the results of the season of 1849-50 when the irrigation experiment was tried ; and indeed there is reason to believe that the experiment proved a failure in Coimba-

tore, nN 2

261

262

263

180 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V.

DR. WIGHT’S FINAL REPORT, 12TH MAY, 18652.

Stage of the Cotton experiment in 1849,—The fol- lowing Report has been delayed in order to enable me to exhibit the very important changes which have taken place during the last three years, and which are going on, I trust, with still greater rapidity. Previous to 1849,* notwithstanding the inducements held out of high prices and certain markets, the Ryots of Coim- batore would only cultivate American Cotton to a very

_ limited extent; and then they proceeded in such an

264:

unwilling and unsatisfactory manner as almost to en- sure a failure. At the same time, the reports, which reached me from other parts of the country, were ge- nerally unfavourable; and almost led to the belief that the soil and climate of India were actually unfitted for - the growth of American Cotton, and that my own con- victions to the contrary were based upon error; though in reality they rested upon the fact that we usually produced good average crops, and often very heavy ones, under circumstances which were by no means peculiarly favourable.

Improved prospects during 1850-51 and 1851-52.— Within the last ten years a series of changes have taken place, not perhaps sufficiently advanced to admit of certain conclusions, but still holding out a most en- couraging prospect. Within that brief period, many of the Ryots of Coimbatore appear to have become so convinced of the great advantages to be derived from cultivating American instead of Native Cotton, that last season they planted between 1500 and 2000 acres of ground with it, and seem as if they intended to treble the quantity during the present year. At the same time I have had numerous requisitions from various quarters for supplies of seed; and in answer to my Circular ad- dressed to the Collectors, all except one have requested more or less of the new seed just arrived from home for their respective districts. Lastly, within about the same period, a novel extension has been given to the experiment, which promises to yield most important

* The year Mr. Finnie, the American Planter, left India.

1852.| DR. WIGHT’S FINAL COTTON REPORT. 181

results. I allude to those trials which aré now in pro- eress on the sea coast. These trials have been con- ducted under considerable disadvantages, originating from want of agricultural experience; but still their past success almost leads one to anticipate, that the Sandy soils of the coast will hold the same relation to the American Cotton as the Black soils of the interior hold to the Native plant.

Previous reluctance of the Ryots to cultivate Ame- rican Cotton connected with the existence of the Cot- ton Farms.—I cannot account for the previous unwill- ineness of the Natives of Coimbatore to cultivate American Cotton. It must, however, have been con- nected with the existence of our Farms; for, whilst they were in full operation, nothing would imduce the Ryots to cultivate the American plant beyond a very limited extent ; whereas now that they have been dis- continued the cultivation is rapidly extending.

Ryots encouraged by their own success to extend the cultivation.—The gradual extension of the culture of American Cotton by the Ryots is also to be ascribed to the success of their own experiments. When the Farms were given up in the season 1849-50, the grow- ing crops on them were made over to the Kyots. Those who tended them with care obtained unexpectedly large returns; and even those who took no trouble, obtained much more than they expected, and much more than they would have done had the land been cultivated, however carefully, with Native Cotton. These successes seem to have satisfied all who were interested in the matter, that there was but little difference between the modes of cultivatmg American and Indian Cotton, whilst larger returns could be obtained from the former than from the latter. The experience of the current season 1851-52 has greatly strengthened these impres- sions. Two fields of Red soil side by side were both cultivated by Natives, one with Native and the other with American Cotton; and the Native Cotton only produced about 27 lbs. per acre, whilst the American Cotton produced 57 lbs. Again, two fields of about 22 acres, one Black and the other Red, were sown; the

265

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268

182 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V.

Black soil with Native Cotton, and the Red soil with American Cotton. The Black field produced 500 lbs. of Native Cotton, whilst the Red field produced 1250 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 mon- soons were each below the average; yet the crops of American Cotton have been generally heavy, and those of the Indigenous Cotton generally light. This result has particularly pleased the Native growers. The fact is, that the Native Cotton was sown during the north- east monsoon, which proved a failure ; whilst the greater part of the American Cotton was sown during the south-west monsoon in July and August, and being well advanced before the scanty north-east rains set in, derived great benefit from them. Indeed, when so managed, the danger to the American Cotton lies in the excess, rather than in the deficiency of the north- east rains. Thus, during unfavourable seasons, the chances are in favour of American Cotton over Native; and it may be presumed that the chances will also be greater in favourable seasons ; and that consequently the Ryots will continue the cultivation of the exotic plant.

Large results in 1850-51 and 1851-52.—In 1850-51 I had more applications for American seed than in any previous year; probably in consequence of the success- ful crops obtained by the Ryots from the relinquished Farms. The season was not a favourable one, yet I was enabled to purchase fifty-one bales of Native-grown American Cotton. This success gave such an additional impetus to the change of feeling already in progress, that the applications for seed in 1851-52 were on a still more extended scale; and I have already despatched ninety bales of Native-grown American Cotton to England, and expect before the end of the season to obtain a great many more.

Ryots adopt Dr. Wight’s practice.—Hitherto the Ry- ots have adopted one system of culture. Ist, Selecting light sandy soils through which both the roots and moisture can easily penetrate. 2nd, Sowimg in rows instead of broad-cast. 3rd, Ploughing and otherwise

1852.| DR. WIGHT’S FINAL COTTON REPORT. 183

cultivating the land between the rows. The Natives have already discovered and appreciated one great ad- vantage in this last measure, namely, the facility it affords for fallowing, whilst the crop is still on the ground, by repeated ploughings between the rows as a preparation for the next rotation. Fallowing is much in vogue amongst the Natives, apparently because it furnishes a cheap substitute for manuring.

Refutation of the theory that the climate and soil of India are unfitted for American Cotton.—The view, that the climate and soil of India are so far inimical to the constitution and habit of the American plant as to render its naturalization impossible, is based on im- Oe observation and on a comparison of dissimilar things. |

Ist, The theory is founded on the assumption that Indian Cotton has succeeded when the American has failed.—The opponents of the cultivation of American Cotton in India assume that the Indian plant is less precarious than the American plant, and that the Indian has generally succeeded when the American has failed. This assumption, however, is not only incorrect, but the real case is exactly the reverse ; for whenever we had bad crops of American Cotton, the crops of Native Cotton were much worse. I am satisfied that, if during the last ten years equal areas had been annually appro- priated to each, the out-turn from the American would In most cases have exceeded that from the Indian both in weight and value. |

269

270

2nd, The theory is based upon a comparison of 271

crops grown in India, and of crops grown on the Mis- Sissippi, Instead of those grown in Georgia,—Again, many have compared the crops of American Cotton grown in India with the crops grown in America, with- out sufficiently adverting to the difference in the cir- cumstances under which they have been respectively produced. Neither the soil nor the climate of India are inimical to the American plant. This is: proved. For eleven years the American plant has been cultivated in India in all kinds of soil, such as rich and poor, wet and dry; and in all kinds of climate, such as temperate

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184 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [ CHAP. V.

and hot, humid and dry ; yet, whilst the weight of the | crops has greatly varied, the quality both of the Cot-

ton and the seed has remained comparatively unaltered.

The error has arisen from a comparison of crops raised —

in India, with the crops raised in the most fertile dis-

tricts of America, which lie along the banks of the |

Mississippi. Differences between India and the Mississippi do not prove that the soil of India is inimical to Ameri-

can Cotton.—The fertility of a soil depends on causes — which are liable to vary. It often differs widely in |

adjoining fields, it 1s in a perpetual state of change, and it is more or less modified by every crop grown.

In the deep alluvial deposits along the banks of the

Mississippi, the material on which the Cotton plant feeds, is found in such abundance, that several suc- cessive crops are taken off, without any alternation, and without any other manure than what is supplied from the ashes of the old plant which is burnt upon the eround. In the soils of India this material which supports the Cotton plant was perhaps never so abund- antly supplied as on the Mississippi; and is now so greatly exhausted from long use, that the land produces

about one fourth less, and rarely yields two successive | crops from the same field. ‘This deficiency is not to be ©

attributed to anything inimical in the soil of India, but simply to its impoverishment. This is proved by the fact that heavy crops have been obtained in India from land newly broken up. Generally, however, a crop amounting to between 400 and 500 lbs. of seed Cotton per acre, equal to about 144 lbs. of clean Cot- ton, may be regarded as a heavy crop; and this will 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 Georgia.—If we really wish to compare the crops of

India with those of America, we ought to take the }|.

Georgian districts, where the Upland Georgian Cotton —

is grown. There from 400 to 500 lbs. of Cotton per

|

1852.| DR. WIGHT’S FINAL COTTON REPORT. 185

acre 18 considered a very good crop, and thus the Georgian districts are on a par with the medium soils of India; yet no one alleges that the soils of Georgia are unsuitable to the growth of American Cotton.

Climate of Southern India not so congenial as that 274 of Georgia: evil obviated by sowing in August or September—tThe 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 mon- soon regularly sets in; and then, instead of the total fall of rain being distributed over two or three months, nearly the whole of it will fall within two or three weeks, or even within two or three days. In the light Sandy soils, which are the best adapted for the Ameri- can plant, the effect of this new distribution of the rain is unfavourable. This evil however can be ob- viated. There is generally sufficient rain in August and September for sowing the seed; and when the plant is once fairly above ground it can stand a pro- tracted drought. Consequently there would rarely be any loss of crop during the brief interval between August and September, and the setting in of the north-east rains; and after the rains, such an event would be a still rarer occurrence, as the plant grows rapidly during the rains and strikes deep root, thus securing for itself a steady supply of moisture long after the surface has become dry.

Leading principles of Cotton culture in the Car- 27 natic: sowing before the North-east Monsoon, and selection of soil_—This principle of sowing during the chance rains, which fall in August and September in anticipation of the north-east monsoon, ought to be kept steadily in view. By so doing, I believe that American Cotton might be successfully grown in any part of the Carnatic. I also believe, that if due care be bestowed on the selection of soil, the losses from failure will be rarer in the future cultivation of Ameri-

QU

Erb

aie

186 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHApP. ¥. |

can Cotton, than they are at present in the cultivation of the Indigenous plant. In Coimbatore, the Ameri- can Cotton sown during the autumnal showers of August and September has yielded very fair returns; | whilst the Native Cotton, which was not sown until | the commencement of the north-east monsoon in | October or November, has generally failed. The north- | east rains only lasted a week; and consequently were |» sufficient to bring the more advanced American plants | into bearing, but were insufficient for the Indian plants | which were only just sown. In a word, I have no | hesitation in stating it as my conviction, that the | American 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. | Objection of Native spinners to the soft silky fibre © of the New Orleans Cotton—One objection stands in | the way of our expectation, that the cultivation of | New Orleans Cotton will supersede the cultivation of | Indian Cotton. The fibre of the New Orleans is soft | and silky; that of the Indian is hard and rigid. | The Native spinners have been so long accustomed to | work the latter, that they find it difficult to work the | soft and silky fibre of the New Orleans Cotton. But this objection is giving way in some districts; practice | overcoming the difficulty. When I first came to Coim- | batore, the Bourbon Cotton, which is still softer than | the New Orleans Cotton, was not used by the Native © spinners; but now they use it to a very great extent. | In like manner the New Orleans will come into Native use when it is more largely produced, and when its | price has found a just level and acquired a market | standard.

Difficulty of separating the seed, and the prejudice | against the seed as food for cattle.—The only remain- | ing impediments to be removed are :—Ist, The diff- | culty of separating the seed ; and 2ndly, The prejudice | against the seed as food for cattle. It is far more | difficult to separate the wool from the New Orleans,

1852.| DR. WIGHT’S FINAL COTTON REPORT. 187

than it is to separate the wool from the Bourbon seed. At present the growers of New Orleans Cotton are compelled to sell their whole crop of Cotton with the ‘seed in it, instead of selling the clean Cotton wool ‘only. This trebles the cost of carriage, and prevents ‘the grower from retaining any portion for domestic ‘consumption. The other impediment is the prejudice which exists against the use of the New Orleans seed for feeding cattle. It is considered to be insalubrious. ‘This prejudice however has already been overcome to a ‘very great extent.

' Nothing wanted to secure a rapid extension of the American Cotton culture, but a steady market and moderate competition— All that is wanted to secure a rapid extension of the cultivation of the American ‘plant, is a steady market; and such a moderate com- petition amongst the merchants as will convince the ‘growers of the reality of the demand. Were such ‘competition established, I fully believe that twenty thousand acres would be cropped with American Cot- ton within three years; and that the cultivation would rapidly extend from Coimbatore to the neighbouring districts. The cultivation is just as simple, and just as well understood, as that of the Native plant, and ‘the cost is not greater; whilst the crops are in the main just as certain, and the produce far greater and more valuable. Such being the advantages which the American Cotton possesses in the inland districts over the Native staple, it would soon obtain the same gener- al favour among the agricultural community of Coim- ‘batore, as it has already acquired in Dharwar, if ex- |porters’ would only stimulate its production by giving |it the preference over the Oopum or Native Cotton.

| Cotton cultivation on the Coromandel coast: New '| Orleans, Sea Island, Egyptian, and Brazilian.-_Having ‘thus described the present condition and future pro- ‘spects of the experiment for denaturalizing the Ameri- ' tan Cotton in the inland districts of Southern India, ‘it now only remains for me to indicate what has been ) doing on the Coromandel coast. Here I apprehend ’/will be found a favourable field for the cultivation of

278

279

280

281

188 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V.}j several of the most useful varieties of foreign Cotton ;} particularly the Mexican or New Orleans, the Seah Island, the Egyptian, and the Brazilian or Pernambuco.} The three last are long-stapled Cottons, and fetch high}, prices in the English market. My remarks however} will be less explicit, as I have seen but little of the} coast experiment, which is still m its infancy, and which has laboured under considerable disadvantage,}

versant with agricultural affairs. : Partial success of Mr. David Lees on the sandy; coast lands of Tinnevelly: error as regards deep) sowing.—The cultivation of American Cotton by Mr. David Lees, on the sandy coast lands of Tinnevelly, has proved only partially successful; for whilst Mr. Lees was a warm and sanguine advocate of the experi-}, ment, he was unfortunately an unskilful agriculturist. He desired to modify the cultivation by deep sowing 4, and feeling dissatisfied at the results of sowing the seed three inches under the surface, he gave directions) for sowing it still deeper. This modification was founded on an erroneous deduction, and its practice) has already been found to do harm. Cotton ought not to be sown deeper than one or two inches. What} is required is a light loose soil, into which its slender) tap root can easily penetrate ; and when that 1s secured. the nearer the seed lies to the surface the better Nature sows entirely on the surface, and ordains that the root shall descend and the stem ascend. Loose soil and light covering promote both these ends, and are more likely to increase than to diminish the pro- duce ; and indeed, unless the former of these cofiditions) be secured, and maintained by occasional hoemg and; ploughing between the rows, the plant does not thrive}; The roots, in short, of a healthy growing plant require} the free access of the air, almost as much as the leaves|; require light; and unless they have it, the plant be- comes more or less sickly. | Sandy soils along the Coromandel Coast adapted to the cultivation of American Cotton But whilst the

lo

igs2.| DR. WIGHT’S FINAL COTTON REPORT. 189

‘uccess of Mr. Lees’ experiment fell far short of his ‘mticipations, it has established beyond all doubt that he sandy soils along the Coromandel coast, aided by ‘he humid atmosphere, are very suitable to the cultiv- ‘tion of American Cotton; a fact which is daily be- homing more firmly established by the success attend- ’ne the well-conducted efforts of Messrs. Longshaws at ‘Crichindore in Tinnevelly, and of Mr. Kenrick at Ma- ‘ras. In addition to a light assessment, these lands yossess a further advantage, which is important in a \ropical climate, of being easily cultivated in all seasons, tvhether wet or dry. Consequently the cost of cultiv- ‘ytion is materially lessened. Moreover, there is mois- ‘iure for the most part near the surface, and generally within reach of the roots of the plant, which have a ‘rendency to penetrate to a great depth in search of it. expect, therefore, that the crops will prove much more ‘aniform, inasmuch as they will be less liable to injury ‘rom occasional protracted droughts. Giving due ‘weight to these favourable circumstances, I anticipate “hat crops averaging from 200 to 250 or even 300 Ibs. "ger acre, will generally be realised ; at which rates, if "She Ryots can only be induced to engage heartily in ‘he cultivation of these foreign Cottons, the shores of She Carnatic will alone, in the course of a few years, be ‘able to produce many thousands of bales; and, having ‘She advantage of cheap transit to the port of export, at lorices which will at all times enable the Indian to ’sompete with the American grower.

' Sir Henry Pottinger’s Government condemns Dr. ‘Wight's Report.—The foregoing Report of Dr. Wight

if

i

‘did not meet with the approval of the Ma- gi. genpy

‘dras Government. In fact Sir Henry Pottinger's_ ee wrote a Minute violently con- May, 1659. 1

bi ; : : ° : Parl. Return demning it. Considering that it was the eee ee

result of experiments extending over eleven

years, he pronounced it to be a meagre and unsatis- factory document, in which the statements and opinions were alike unsupported by facts.

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283

285

190 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. Y.

Recommends, that as the Farms had proved inju- rious, and that as the Agency was no longer neces- sary,—all Government intervention should be with- drawn.—Sir Henry Pottinger drew special attention to two admissions made by Dr. Wight :—I1st, That so long as the Government Farms were in full operation, no amount of inducement that he could hold out seemed to have any effect in stimulating the Ryots to engage in the cultivation of American Cotton, beyond a very limited extent; 2nd, That nothing more was wanted to secure the rapid extension of the American plant but a steady market, and moderate competition among merchants, to convince Indian grow- Para. 218. ers that the Cotton was really in demand. The Madras Government inferred from the first ad-| mission, that the further existence of Go-

Minutes of

Consulta- vernment Agency was injurious; and from|: Talk nee the second admission that it was unne-|

Parl. Return cegsary. Accordingly the Governor in) (1859), P-243- Council recommended that Government should abstain from all further intervention in the} matter. |

Dr. Wight’s protest against the conclusions of Dr. Wights the Madras Government.— Dr. Wight}

Gone protested against the inferences which es = the Madras Government had drawn from OZ. aril.

Retuen his two admissions on the following) (1859), p.243. orounds. |

1st, The Government Farms had not proved injuri- ous, but the groundless suspicions of the Ryots.—The true reason why the Ryots had refused to cultivate American Cotton, was not because they were alarmed at the expenditure, but because they believed that it was incurred with the view of raising the rent of the land, so soon as it was ascertained that they could successfully cultivate the New Cotton. This belief was not stated in so many words as here set down; but it was expressed in terms sufficiently clear not to be misunderstood. The Ryots certainly never had any ground for distrusting the honour and uprightness of our intentions; but still the correctness of the inter-

_ 1852.] FINAL DECISION OF MADRAS GOVERNMENT. 191

) pretation of their language, was confirmed by the fact _of their systematically holding back, until they saw , what they considered to be good reason for believing _ their suspicions to be groundless and unjust.

, 2nd, The Government Agency had not proved un- , necessary, as it removed the suspicions of the Ryots.— Though Dr. Wight had stated that nothing further , was wanted but remunerative prices on the spot, it _ was not to be inferred that the continuance of Govern- ,ment Agency, after the withdrawal from the Cotton , Farms, had proved wholly unnecessary. It was the _ temporary continuance of the Agency, which had re- , moved the suspicions of the Ryots, and led to the in- , crease of the cultivation. Had not Dr. Wight been on ; the spot, the cultivation of New Orleans Cotton in _ Coimbatore would have nearly ceased with the crop of , 1849; whereas by his purchases of produce at liberal _ 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 distri- buted 400 maunds of seed. Moreover, Dr. Wight ‘represented that, had he not continued his purchases

tl I d

acted prematurely, and would moreover have created ‘doubts of our probity. Seven or eight years previously, Government had agreed to purchase from the Ryots all ‘well-cleaned picked Cotton. Circumstances had com- ‘pelled Dr. Wight to continue his purchases. The old ;contract, made some seven or eight years previously, ' by which Government had agreed to purchase from {the Ryots all first sort of American Cotton at 20 irupees per candy, had never been cancelled. The gin- |house at Coimbatore had been purchased by Mr. |! Campbell, the merchant; and Mr. Campbell had agreed i to retain the same terms. But meantime Mr. Camp- ‘bell had died, and prices had so fallen at home, that {had he lived he would have been a loser. The only , other merchant in the place, being bound by no con- (tract, would only give from 16 to 17 rupees per candy. , Under such circumstances, the Ryots represented to _Dr. Wight that he was bound to purchase the Ame-

, of American Cotton from the Ryots, he would have.

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192 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. V.

rican Cotton at the prices fixed in the still uncan- celled contract ; and that unless he did so, they would srow no more American Cotton. Dr. Wight saw both the justice and the expediency of their claim; but whilst fulfilling his duty as Government Agent, he took the opportunity of cancelling the long-standing agreement, and of assuring the Ryots, that if they con- tinued the cultivation of American Cotton after the eurrent year, they must run the chance of the market, exactly as they were in the habit of doing in the case of the Native article. | - Retirement of Dr. Wight: Final Despatch of the Court of Directors, 1853._-Dr. Wight appears to have retired from the service, and to have left India in March, 1853. In the following July, a despatch from the Court of Directors was addressed to the Madras Government, ordering that all purchases of American Cotton should cease from that date, and that all direct interference in the culture of foreign Cotton should be gradually withdrawn.

The following is a literal copy of the despatch of the Court of Directors :—

“REVENUE DEPARTMENT, 20th July, 1853.

“OUR GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AT FORT ST. GEORGE.

“1, We entirely approve your baving declined to entertain the proposal of Dr. Wight, that all the Cotton grown by the Ryots in Tinnevelly from American seed, should be purchased at a fixed rate by the Government. There are now, it appears, individuals con- nected with Manchester settled in the District; and if the price at which the Ryots can afford to sell the Cotton is greater than it suits the purpose of those parties to give, it is hopeless to attempt to force the cultivation by factitious encouragement on the part of Govern- ment.

“2. The statement of Dr. Wight, that since the relinquishment of the Government Farms in Coimbatore, the Ryots have taken to the culture of American Cotton on their own account, to an extent considerably greater than during their existence, would seem to imply that the time had arrived when the interference of Govern-. ment could properly be withdrawn. All that is now wanted, you observe, is a purchaser on the spot ready to give a fair remunerating price to the Ryot for his Cotton, and in your opinion, this object can.

1852.| DESPATCH OF THE COURT OF DIRECTORS. 193

only be attained by affording full scope to private enterprise, and by abstaining from all intervention on the part of Government.

‘¢3. In our despatch of the 4th July, 1848, we directed that the purchases of American Cotton on the part of Government, should not, at that time, be discontinued; observing, however, ‘ We are satisfied that no satisfactory and permanent extension of the cultiv- ation of the American Cotton will be attained, until the persons most interested in its production shall take the matter into their own hands, by locating in the Districts competent Agents, empowered to 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 further perseverance in our efforts to force the cultivation, by means apart from the ordinary operations of com- merce, can lead to no beneficial result. We accordingly think that we may properly withdraw from the market as purchasers of Ameri- can Cotton; and we hereby convey to you our authority for gradually relinquishing all direct interference in the culture of Cot- ton of that description, in the hope that it has now reached a point where it may be safely left to private enterprise.

‘Weare, &c.,

R. ELLICE, J. OLIPHANT.”

CHAPTER VI.

PRESENT CONDITION OF THE COTTON CULTURE IN THE SE- f VERAL DISTRICTS OF THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. 1853 To 1862.

(288.) Stage of the Cotton Experiment, 1853-62.—(289.) Survey of the present Cotton cultivation in the Madras Presidency. ‘ — (290.) First, NorrHEern Circars: four Districts—(291.) 1. Ganjam: | produce inconsiderable but easily increased by money advances.—(292.) | 2. Vizagapatam - Cotton grown insufficient for home consumption and not remunerative.—(293.) 3. Godavari: Cotton supply larger but in- | sufficient for the wants of the District.—(294.) 4. Kristina: large Cotton | supply.

(295.) Second, EASTERN PLAIN OF THE CARNATIC: eight Districts.— (296.) 1. Nellore: a grazing District.—(297.) 2. Madras: Native Cot- ton not grown.—(298.) Experiments in Foreign Cotton: Mr. Shubrick’s successful cultivation of the Egyptian variety.—(299.) Experimental cul- | ture of the Brazil or Pernambuco variety by Dr. Mudge.—(300.) 3. North | Arcot: Red soil, and consequently no Indian Cotton.—(301.) 4. South Arcot : inconsiderable quantity of Indian Cotton.—(802.) 5. Trinchin- opoly : quantity of Cotton inconsiderable: mode of cultivation.—(803.) 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.—(810.) Mode of cultivation, time of || flowering, weight of Cotton wool per acre.—(311.) Manure.—(312.) Diseases.—(313.) 8. Tinnevelly: Mr. Mayne’s detailed report.—(314.) Soil.—(815.) 1st, The Caresal, or Black soil.—(316.) 2nd, The Veppel, — or Black and Sandy soil.—(317.) 3rd, the Pottel, or stiff clayey soil— | (818.) 4th, The Shevel, or Red Soil.—(319.) Geology and topography.— (320.) Climate.—(321.) Seed used and whence obtained.—(822.) | 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 Tuticorin.—(329.) Third, CenrraL TABLE-LAND : five Districts. —(330.) 1. Bellary: detailed report from 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 flowering, and weight of Cotton wool per acre, etc.—(337.) Manure.—(838.) Diseases. —(339.) 2. Kurnool: a Cotton-growing district.—(340.) Cost of transit :

1853-62.] STAGE OF THE COTTON EXPERIMENT. 195

| the sole obstacle to increased. production.—(341.) Improvements in the | quality must be effected by the Merchants themselves.—(342.) 3. Oudda-

pah ; present state of Cotton as reported by Mr. Wedderburn, the Col-

| lector.—(343.) Detailed report by Mr. Murray, the previous Collector.— | (844.) Soil.—(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.—(354.) 5. Coim- ‘batore: detailed report of Mr. Thomas, the Collector.—(355.) Soil:

Black, Red, and Alluvium.—(356.) Geology and topography.—(3657.)

Climate.—(358.) Seed used and whence obtained.—(359.) Character of the Cotton plant.—(360.) Mode of cultivation, time of flowering, weight

of Cotton wool per acre, etc.—(361.) Manure.—(362.) Diseases.

(363.) 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.

| Kleinknecht.—(366.) 2. Sowth Canara : not a Cotton-producing District.

—(367.) 3. Malabar : not a Cotton-producing District.—(368.) Native

States: Mysore, Cochin, and Travancore.

(369.) Conclusion: general results.—(370.) Four general conclusions, —(371.) Ist, American Cotton can be grown, but the profit is question- able.—(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: Commerciai prospects of Indian Cotton.

- Stage of the Cotton Experiment, 1853-62.—The ef- 288

forts on the part of the Madras Government to intro-

‘duce American Cotton and American machinery into

the Madras Presidency, virtually closed with the de- parture of Dr. Wight from India in 1853. Since that period, some experiments in the growth of American Cotton have been carried out by private individuals,

and may be said to have confirmed the general results ‘worked out by Dr. Wight; namely, that under the conditions set forth in the preceding pages the foreign

plant may be successfully cultivated, and a staple pro-,

|

|

duced far superior to that appertaining to the Indian

plant. But the question of whether this better-stapled Cotton can be grown with profit to the cultivator,

Beems 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

OZ

289

290

pit UE

196 coTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI. |

from a mass of official reports and other documents, |

Cotton cultivation in the several districts of the Ma- dras Presidency. |

Survey of the present Cotton cultivation in the Madras Presidency.—In carrying out the review thus indicated, it will be advisable to proceed with each district separately, according to the geographical dis- tribution of the several Collectorates already set forth at para. 9, viz. :——1st, Northern Circars; 2nd, Eastern Plain; 38rd, Central Table Land; and 4th, Western Strip. The materials for this survey have been selected

which it is not thought expedient to print 2” extenso.

- Ist, Northern Circars: four Districts.—The North- ern Circars consist of a long narrow arm of territory stretching from. the Pagoda ef Juggernaut on the frontiers of the Bengal Presidency, southward along the Bay of Bengal to the river Kristna. It comprises four Districts: viz—(1.) Ganjam, (2.) Vizagapatam, (8.) Godavari, (4.) Kristna.

(1.) Ganjam: produce inconsiderable but easily in- creased by money advances.—In this district the Cotton cultivation of late years seems to vary from four thousand to six thousand acres. As the quantity ef Cotton grown is so insigni- ficant, the Collector merely makes a few general ob- servations. He says that there is one material fact which has not been made sufficiently clear to the mer- cantile community at home; namely, that the Native agriculturalist will undertake nothing new on the mere assurance that it is in demand in a distant market. Mr. Forbes’s C288 where the security of profit would letter, 20th © appear most perfect to the European mind, April, 1861. would have no effect upon the Native. But on the other hand, there is no tropical produce which the European with capital might not com- mand, by bringing his capital into immediate contact with the producer. If suitable money advances were made on the spot, Egyptian Cotton and other fine varieties could be grown in Ganjam within an easy distance of the coast.

Appendix I.

1853-62.] NORTHERN CIRCARS: FOUR DISTRICTS. 197

(2) Vizagapatam: Cotton grown insufficient for 292

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 1861-62, the average extent of wy, pane’s lands under Cotton cultivation was 5758 _ letter, 22nd acres, which produced an average of about °™ 18% 250 lbs. per acre. This quantity is not sufficient for local consumption. Much cleaned Cotton is imported from | Rajahmundry (Kristna); and much English Cotton yarn and twist are imported almost every month from Calcutta and Madras. The Collector also remarks that the production might be increased by three mea- 'sures. Ist, By offerig 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 i between the Cotton-growing districts of Nagpore and ithe coast. The Revenue Board did not consider that ‘ any real benefit would ensue from the false stimulus of ‘ granting lands rent free; but recommended the other ‘measures to the consideration of Government. In a ' subsequent communication, the Collector remarked, ‘ that the chief cause why the Ryots of Viza- 4, panes ‘ gapatam did not grow Cotton more largely _ letter, 15th ‘was because it did not pay. Eight months *°?» 18 ‘were required to produce a Cotton crop, whilst two \ crops of Gingely, and other dry grains, might be pro- ‘duced from the same lands within the same time, and ‘ secure a larger profit to the grower. ‘5. (8) Godavari: Cotton supply larger but insufii- ‘cient for the wants of the District.—This district | (Rajahmundry and Masulipatam) produces yy, pyywie's ‘a larger quantity of Cotton than Vizagapa- _ letter, 28th *tam or Ganjam, the extent of land so culti- NO | vated reaching 12,000 acres. The quantity raised, how- ever, is still insufficient for the home consumption, and ‘further supplies are imported from the Kristna district.

93

294.

198 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI.

The means of communication between the uplands on which the Cotton is grown and the ports of oe are all easy.

(4) Kristna: large Cotton supply.—Guntoor, which now forms part of this district, is regarded as a Cotton- | growing country. Upwards of 100,000 acres are under Cotton cultivation, and, as we have seen, a considerable

quantity is exported to the Godavari district. Every exertion is being made by the Department of Public Works to effect a junction between two canals,—that from Bezwarah, and that from Dowlashwarum to El- Jore,—which will render the line of inland water com- munication complete from the Cotton-producing locali-

My.Thom. testo the coast. The following particulars

hills letter, @re supplied by Mr. Thornhill, the Collector.

asth Nov. =“The Cotton produced 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 exported by sea, and none is shipped direct for Eu- rope. The Cotton is picked in the dry season, and is

seldom cleaned and packed before the setting in of the monsoon in June; and therefore it cannot be moved until the following December or January, as the roads

are not passable until that time. The soil suited to

the cultivation is very widely spread, and therefore it cannot be doubted that the extent of land under culti- vation would be largely increased, in the case of a larger demand, accompamed by a rise in price. At present the oreater part of the Cotton grown is of the sort called “ Red Cotten,” which I am given to under- stand is not now in demand for the European market.

I do not, however, think that any measure of Govern- |

ment would have any effect in increasing the produce.

There is abundance of room for an extension of the}

cultivation, and the merchants have only to send their Agents into the country, to enter into agreement with

the cultivators, and to show them that the cultivation

will be profitable, to induce them to bring more land

under Cotton culture. In the same manner it rests

" 1853-62.) © CARNATIC: EIGHT DISTRICTS. 199

with the merchants to point out the kind of Cotton that is required, and to make arrangements for the more speedy and effectual cleaning and packing of the

crop.

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 Comorin, and is generally known by the name of the Carnatic. It comprises eight districts: viz.— (1) Nellore, (2) Madras, (8) North Arcot, (4) South

'. Arcot, (5) Trichinopoly, (6) Tanjore, (7) Madura, (8) _ Tinnevelly.

(1) Nellore: a grazing District.—This district pro- duces about the same quantity of Cotton as Godavari,

and but little more than suffices for its own wants. It

——— ae

is in fact a grazing district, and agricultural wy. gmitn’s operations of all kinds are carried on very ous negligently ; the people being moreaddicted pay’ Ropar

to rearing cattle than to cultivating the (1857), p.39.

~ land.

(2) Madras: Native Cotton not grown.—In this district, with the exception of some four acres, no

Indigenous Cotton is grown by the Ryots, though some

_ experiments have been made by private individuals in

the cultivation of foreign varieties. As regards the Native Cotton, it has been grown only by yp. Reade’s one Ryot; and Mr. Charles Reade, whilst _ letter, 14th ; ; Jan., 1862. Acting Collector, drew up a few questions, in order to ascertain from the solitary cultivator, what his views and feelings were, particularly in reference to the extension of the cultivation. From the Ryot’s re-

_ plies it would seem that he had emigrated from the north of India, where it was customary to cultivate

Cotton. Accordingly he brought some seeds with him,

and planted them in his village in the Madras district ; but he intended the produce, not for sale, but for home

consumption; spinning the Cotton into thread, and employing weavers to make it into cloths for his own use. The attempt, however, proved unsuccessful, as

the soil was not congenial to the plant; and on this

account he was not willing to extend the cultivation.

295

296

297

298

299

200 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI.

Experiments in Foreign Cotton: Mr. Shubrick’s successful cultivation of the Egyptian variety.—But whilst the soil of the Madras (Chingleput) district was not adapted to the growth of Indian Cotton, it has been | found very favourable to the American varieties. Gar- den experiments in general are not very reliable, inas- | much as the plant receives far more care and attention | under such circumstances than it can possibly receive from the Ryot. Mr. Shubrick, the Collector, has been highly successful in raising Egyptian Cotton, which Proceedings received the approbation and thanks of the of Boardot —_ Board of Revenue and Madras Chamber of 13th Apri, Commerce. Unfortunately, Mr. Shubrick o. returned to Europe whilst the experiment was still under trial, and his Cotton plantation seems to have been neglected, and consequently failed. Seed, however, was forwarded to the Collectors of Cuddapah, Bellary, Kurnool, Coimbatore, and Tinnevelly, for the purpose of carrying on the experiment in their re- spective districts. The trial proved a failure. It Mr. Hud. S¢ems probable, however, that the experi- ston’s letter, ment might have stood a better chance of eee success had it been tried in the maritime |

districts, and on soil more nearly approach- | ing to that of Madras. It has already been seen that Black soil is well adapted to the growth of Indian Cot- ton, but not to the growth of American; but even in Tinnevelly, the seeds obtained from Mr. Shubrick were planted in Black land. On the other hand, the Col- lector of the maritime district of Ganjam has expressed an opinion, that Eeyptian Cotton might be grown to a great extent in his Collectorate within an easy distance of the coast.

Experimental culture of the Brazil or Pernambuco variety by Dr. Mudge.—An equally interesting ex- periment has been tried in Madras, with reference to the Brazil or Pernambuco Cotton, by Dr. Mudge, Surgeon Major in the Madras Army. The following Letter from concise account of this experiment, and of dye Some others with Egyptian and Bourbonseed,

1862, has been kindly furnished by Dr. Mudge.

1853-62. | CARNATIC: EIGHT DISTRICTS. 201

“IT first tried the Brazil or Pernambuco Cotton in 1860. The Honourable D. Arbuthnot, Collector of Kurnool, gave me 12 seeds, from which 11 plants came up. These were planted out about the 25th March, in common garden soil, with a small quantity of old ma-

. nure; and were at first watered every day, or every

other day, till they had attained about a foot in height. I then left Madras for the Neilgherries, and did not return till the end of May. I found that the gardeners had neglected the trees, and that four out of the eleven were dead. The remaining seven prospered, and with- out any care, and with only an occasional watering, produced abundantly. In January and February they yielded more than two pounds of picked Cotton. This Cotton was valued by London Brokers at from 83d. to 94d. per lb. A large quantity of seed was obtained, which was sown again in March and April—several hundred plants in the People’s Park and about two hundred in my own garden, whilst a good deal of seed was also distributed to various parties. At this time (January, 1862) the plants in my garden are in full bearing, and the crop promises well. The trees planted in the People’s Park have failed, evidently owing to the very saline character of the soil. I hear that some

planted in Coorg are thriving. It appears likely that

this species will grow well in light Reddish soil, if allowed sufficient space, and will be found productive. Mr. Fischer of Salem informed me that it did not an- swer there, probably owing to the greater dryness of the air and the different character of the soil.

“ Keyptian and Bourbon seed were sown in the Peo- ple’s Park between the lst and 4th April, 1861, and were watered till the plants attained the height of one foot; after that they only got a little water occasion- ally. The earth round the roots was loosened once or twice. Both these species have borne very well. Cot- ton was first picked in August, and the plants have gone on bearing up to the present time. A large quantity of Cotton has been thus obtained from them.

“In preparing the soil a small country plough was used; the greater part of the weeds and coarse grass

300

301

ny)

202 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [ CHAP. VI.

were picked out and removed, whilst the rest was turned into the furrows and left. The Cotton was sown in small circular holes. |

“The exact quantity of Cotton obtained from these plants is not yet known, but it has been very consider- able; and, so far as reliance can be placed on one~ experiment, seems to show that Bourbon and Egyptian — staples will answer well at the Presidency.” *

(3) North Arcot: Red soil, and consequently no

Indian Cotton.—This district produces but

Mr. Robin- . : : gon’s letter, | & very Inconsiderable amount of Indigenous | uth Dec, Cotton ; the average cultivation during the

last five years being only fifty-seven acres. The absence of the Black clay, which Native producers consider to be the soil best adapted to the growth of

Native Cotton, is the probable cause of the smallness

of the cultivation. The Collector describes the soil of the district as being a Red gravel; and it may be added that this appears to be the very soil which experience proves to be the best adapted to the American varieties.

(4) South Arcot: inconsiderable quantity of Indian Cotton.—The Indigenous Cotton grown in this district is larger than in North Arcot, but 1s still meonsider-— able. The cultivation is confined to two or three thou- | sand acres. ‘The Collector states that he has no observ- ations to offer on the subject.

(5) Trichinopoly: quantity of Cotton inconsider- able: mode of cultivation.—In this district about Mr. McDen- 6000 acres of Black soil are sown every sist May year with Indigenous Cotton. Most of the 1s61and15th Cotton grown is consumed within the dis- Feb., 1862. trict, but a small quantity is exported in the shape of twist. The rates proposed by Mr. Newill in carrying out the new Revenue Settlement, are ex- pected to promote the extension of the cultivation, as they are considerably lower than the present rate of Assessment. “Cotton, however,” we are told, “r quires more care, labour, and consequently more ex- pense, than almost any other description of crop; and

* The Bourbon seed was sent to me by the Rev. W. Taylor of Madras, and was raised in his garden.

1853-62. | CARNATIC: EIGHT DISTRICTS. 203

unless there is the inducement of soon realizing a re- munerative price, the Ryot will choose any other kind of cultivation in preference.” Mr. McDonnell also drew attention to the report on the Cotton cultivation in Trichinopoly, drawn up by Mr. Travers, the Col- lector, in 1812. The following extract, relative to the mode of cultivation, is worthy of record. “The ground is first ploughed up. Afterwards a herd of cattle, or a fiock of sheep, is kept on the land for two or three days to manure it. The ground is then again ploughed three times more; and the seed, which has been dipped in a preparation made of buffaloes’ dung, salt water, and ashes, is then sown, and the ground again lightly turned up to cover the seed. When the plant has reached the height of one span, the earth is carefully and very lightly ploughed up between the plants, and the grass that has grown is removed. After this, as occasion may require, the weeds and grass are continued to be rooted up until the plants have reached maturity, when the Cotton is plucked.”

(6) Tanjore: Soil not favourable without irriga- tion, and with irrigation the cultivation of rice is preferred.—The quantity of-Cotton grown yyy Gadels in this district falls far short of even the _ letter, 5th requirements of local consumption, and ac- aha cordingly large quantities are brought from the south- ern districts of Madura and Tinnevelly yy. cadens to meet the deficiency. Repeated attempts _ letter, 31st have been made to improve the quality of 2% 156. the Cotton grown, and to extend its cultivation, but they have hitherto proved unsuccessful ; Paras. 111, and the land under Cotton crop is at the °°. present time less than six hundred acres, being less than one-fourth of what it was ten years ago. Mr. Cadell, the Collector, ascribes these results to the un- remunerative nature of the crop, the uncertainty of the produce, and the labour and expense of preparation arising from the absence of any cheap and efticient machinery. He is also inclined to think that the soil of the district is not very favourable to the plants, unless it can be irrigated ; and when the means of artificial

303

204 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI.

irrigation can be commanded, the landholders prefer the cultivation of rice to the exclusion of almost every other article.

304 (7) Madura: detailed report from the Collector.— Madura is a Cotton-growing district, though not one of the four great Cotton districts of the Presidency. The average number of acres under this cultivation dur- ing the last three years is about 76,000 acres. The fol- lowing information respecting the culture was supplied three or four years back by Mr. Hathaway, the Col-

lector of Madura, in answer to an applica-

sia bts tion for certain data connected with the Uo Nag erowth of the Indian plant, which had been

: forwarded to the late Court of Directors by Dr. Mallet, Professor of Chemistry in the University of Alabama, U.S.

305 Soil—*<The soil in which the Cotton is raised is Black, and of a slimy nature, beimg very retentive of the moisture; and if the periodical rains commence in August and continue till January, this moisture will penetrate the earth to a depth of two feet and a half. By the commencement of January, the moist- ure is reduced to a depth of four inches, and disap- pears altogether by the Ist of March. In some parts the Ryots raise along with Cotton the following dry crops—coriander, horse-gram, varaigoo, ecumboo; thenie, dholl, and cummin. These thrive if the periodical rains fall; but many of the Ryots consider such a practice of mixed sowing prejudicial; as Cotton itself cannot be grown two consecutive years in the same field. :

306 Geology and Topography.—‘“ The district is not naturally well drained, depending as it does upon the freshes from the river and periodical rains, which are very uncertain in their supply. The soil 1s generally of an inferior description, being based in many places upon rocks of black and white marble and granite, and masses of gravel, which rise to within from one and a half to five yards of the surface. It is also impregnated with saltpetre. The height above the level of the sea of that portion of the district in which Cotton is raised, ranges from six to seven hundred feet. |

1853-62. | CARNATIC: EIGHT DISTRICTS. — 205

Climate.—“ The regular kalum rains commence in 307 August and terminate in November; while the koday rain falls in March and April. The year 1858, how- ever, proved an exception, as during the month of May there was an average fall of more than nine inches in fifteen days. The annexed statement shows the amount of rain that fell during the last official year.

MEA, IN. T Madacolum oe Ais ia)! Bs ‘I Tiroomangalum Ae ie ARR TE Meylore bie a. ai Got Bes Tandicomboo .. 4s SRuGbIn'@ AL Izempully aif a es ee Tenkurray ae 5 so Shi cs Nellacottah AB We Fer BM ego AR

Seed used and whence obtained.—“ After the fibre 308 has been removed, the seed is preserved till within a few days of the sowing season. It is then soaked for two or three minutes in water in which cow-dung has been steeped, and then pressed by hands on a floor ex- posed to the sun, with a view to remove any particles of the fibre, and thus to ensure the separate deposition on the ground of each seed, which takes place three days afterwards. In some instances, under the impression that such a process will render the Cotton white and smooth, the Ryots mix with the said water, chunam, butter-milk, or salt; but I have no information that any such result is obtained.

_ Character of the Cotton Plant.— The Cotton of this 309 district is herbaceous in character, growing to an aver- age height of 33 feet. The branches extend about 13 feet from the stems, which grow at an average distance from each other of 14 feet. The main root shoots. downwards to a depth of 1, feet; whilst the lateral roots spread out about 3% of a foot.

Mode of cultivation, time of flowering, weight of 310 Cotton wool per acre.—“ The fields intended for this cultivation are usually ploughed seven times, at the least four times, between May and September. In the

oll

312

313

206 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI:

latter month, ten days previous to the sowing of the seed, the soil is manured, either through penning cattle on it, or by the imposition of manure, and then once more ploughed. ‘The seed is scattered from the 20th October to the 10th December, the early period being the most advantageous, so as to let the seeds fall at an average distance from each other of 14 feet. Trans- plantation is not adopted. The plants require at the stages of their budding and flowering, harrowing and weeding; the cost of this is estimated at Rupees 34, or 7s. per acre. The buds generally form about the 15th January, and the picking of the crop takes place in March and April. or this operation the labourer re- ceives remuneration in kind, at rates which vary accord- ing to mutual agreement from one-fourth to one-tenth of the out-turn.. The weight of Cotton wool produced per acre in this year 1857-58 (which from the drought has been an unfavourable one). is estimated at 234 lbs. Each hand employed is supposed to be able to give 43 lbs. a day; machines of an ordinary description being used for the purpose.

Manure.—‘“ Although Cotton seed may return to the sround, manure is still used, and the stalks are removed to serve as fuel.

Diseases,—“ The plants are attacked by many dis- eases; the principal of which are called Sambal or Sooroothy knoo, and are supposed to be caused by the prevalence of north winds and lightnings. The former disease gives the Cotton a pale tinge, while the latter causes the leaves of the plant to curl. They are also attacked by caterpillars and worms, whose correct names I am unable to obtain.”

(8) Tinnevelly: Mr, Mayne’s detailed report.— Tinnevelly is one of the four principal Cotton growing and exporting districts in the Madras Pre- sidency. The average cultivation of late years is about 190,000 acres. The principal port is Tuticorin. This district will be remembered as the Mr.Dawson Scene of Mr. Finnie’s experiments and la- Mayne’slet- hours. The following interesting report,

ter, 8tl } 1858. ANDY with reference to Professor Mallet’s ap-

Para. 17.

1853-62. | CARNATIC: EIGHT DISTRICTS. 207

plication for information, was supplied by Mr. Dawson Mayne.

Soil.—“ Cotton is cultivated in all descriptions of 314 soils found in this district, but more extensively in those known as the Carésal or Black Cotton soil ; ; secondly, in the Veppel (a mixture of Black and Sandy soil) ;

thirdly, in the Pottel (a stiff clayey soil) ; and fourthly, in the Shevel or Red soil.

1st, The Caresal, or Black soil—* The Black Cotton 315 soil is of a loose friable nature, varying in depth from two to five or six feet. Soon after a heavy fall of rain, the upper surface of the soil, to a depth of about nine inches, becomes dry ; but the lower portion, to a depth of four or five feet, will retain moisture for four or five weeks. The other crops grown on this soil are cumboo, cholum (different sorts of maize); buller, Bengal gram, varagoo, red gram (species of vetch or pulse), raggy, thény, cootheerivaly, chendrookoo oil, and castor oil seeds, etc. The soil is considered ex- tremely fertile. |

2nd, The Veppel, or Black and Sandy soil.—“ The 316 Veppel, or Black and Sandy soil, partakes of the same nature as Black Cotton soil, varying in depth from two to four and a half feet. After a heavy fall of rain, the upper surface of this soil, to a depth of about six inches, soon becomes dry ; but the lower stratum, to a. depth of three or four feet, will retain moisture for three or four weeks. The other crops grown on this

soil are cumboo, ragey, cholum, buller, red gram, thény, _and castor oil seeds, etc. ‘This soil also is considered to be fertile, but in a less degree than that first named.

ord, The Pottel, or stiff clayey Soil._—‘‘The Pottel 317

| soil is stiff and untractable. It varies in depth from 1 one to three and a half feet. After a heavy fall of rain, | the upper surface of this soil, to a depth of four inches, ‘will soon become dry; but the lower stratum, to a depth of three feet, will retain moisture for about two, or two and a half weeks. The other crops grown on this soil are cumboo, horse-gram, samay, varagoo, thény, and castor oil seeds, etc. This soil is not considered fertile.

208 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI. |

318 4th, The Shevel, or Red Soil.—< The Shevel soil is | of a loose friable nature, varying in depth from one to three feet. After a heavy fall of rain, the upper sur- | face of soil, to a depth of one foot, soon becomes dry ; | but the lower portion, to a depth of one and a half or two feet, will retain moisture for one and a half or two | weeks. The other crops grown on this soil are red gram, varagoo, castor oil seeds, theny, etc. This soil is’ | not considered fertile. |

319 Geology.and topography.—“ The Cotton fields to- | wards the west in this district are slightly undulating, with general slope to the eastward ; while to the east, | the country lies almost flat, the plains sloping very gradually towards the sea. From observation taken with an Aneroid Barometer, it appears that the level of the former varies from 250 to 300 feet, and of the latter from 80 to 120 feet, above the sea. Below the above-mentioned soil, gravel of different descriptions, and kunkur, or decomposed gneiss, are met with; and in some spots occasional strata of crystaline limestone crop up through the gneiss. The granite formation is chiefly found in the northern portion of the district, and is met with at various depths below the kunkur and gneiss. That which is termed “decomposed | gneiss’ may perhaps be a species of disintegrated rocks _ of a comparatively late formation. The northern part of this district is intersected by numerous small streams, _ and the Cotton fields are consequently well drained.

320 Climate.——*“ During the dry months, or from January — to September, the heat is excessive. During the south- west monsoon, there are occasional showers in the north of the district, especially in the more western portion of the Cotton fields. The north-east monsoon continues from the middle of October to January ; and during its prevalence, rain falls generally over the whole district. Irrigation is not employed for the growth of Cotton in this district. A return, showing the fall of rain from January to December, 1857, is given on the following page. Rain Gauges are kept at all the chief stations.

209

EIGHT DISTRICTS.

CARNATIC

1853-62. |

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210 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI.

321 Seed used and whence obtained.—“ Cotton seeds are obtained from those places in the district, where the previous crops had yielded a full produce of good quality. The seeds are in the first instances exposed to the sun to dry. When sufficiently dried, it is the practice to put them into water mixed with buffaloes’ dung, and then they are again dried, and the seeds are now considered ready to be sown in the proper season.

322 Character of the Cotton plant. The Cotton plants in Tinnevelly are herbaceous; tree Cotton is not grown here. The average height of the plant is 3? feet, and the spread of the branches is 1} 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.

323 Mode of Cultivation, time of flowering, weight of Cotton wool per acre, &c.—“ Cotton fields are plough- ed five times between the months of April and Septem- ber. After a good shower of rain, the seeds are sown generally between the months of September and Oc- tober. The distance at which the plants are placed apart is about one foot. The weeds are removed three times during the growth of the Cotton plant. The total amount of labour bestowed upon weeding may be valued at about Rupees 13 (8s.) per acre. The plants flower in the month of December or January. Picking commences in February and ends with April. If after this any rain falls, a further picking takes place in June and July. The weight of Cotton fibre is to the product per acre about 86 lbs.; weight per hand em- ployed is 6 lbs.

324 Manure.— Thereis not any Cotton seed returned to the soil in the form of manure, nor are the stalks al- lowed to decay on the field. The land under Cotton cultivation is manured with cattle dung.

325 Diseases.—‘“‘ When the Cotton plants come to bearing, they are subject to two kinds of diseases ; the first is called in Tamil “ Sambulnoye,” and the second “ Can- joorumnoye.” When the first-mentioned disease prevails, the yield becomes very indifferent; and if the last- named disease exists, the pods drop off entirely. Un-

1853-62. | CARNATIC: EIGHT DISTRICTS. yA i

seasonable rains in summer, and lightnings, are said to be injurious to the Cotton plants, by causing the boles to drop off. Before flowers and pods appear, the plants are subject to the ravages of insects.”

Mr. Silver's Report.—In a letter dated 20th February, 326

1862, Mr. Silver, the Collector of Tinne- 4... gayors velly, reported as follows. ‘“ The average _ letter, 20th quantity of uncleaned Cotton, grown in *°» 18%. the district of Tinnevelly during the last three years, was 150,000 candies, of 500 lbs. each. At the close of the past year 1860-61, there were about 44,000 candies of cleaned Cotton in this district, which is selling at 102 Rs. (£10 4s.) per candy. There are no obstacles to the spread of Cotton cultivation, but a stimulus seems to be required; and the cultivation would doubt- less be extended by the followmg means. Ist, By the Mercantile Firms establishing Agencies for dealing direct with the cultivators in the interior, instead of conducting this part of their business, as they do at present, through Brokers at the port of embarkation. 2nd, By constructing better roads, which in my opinion would be the case, if the executive were again placed under the Revenue officers, the District Engineer in- specting and reporting on the nature of the work per- formed.”

Queries of Sir William Denison, with Mr. Silver’s replies—Mr. Silver also forwarded to the Madras Board of Revenue, a paper of answers which he had recently drawn up, in reply to certain queries furnished to him by His Excellency Sir William Denison, Go- vernor of Madras, as regards the Cotton trade at the Port of Tuticorim. These queries, together with the replies, are appended in parallel columns.

QUERIES. REPLIES.

Ist. Distance from Tinnevelly Thirty-four miles. . to Tuticorin ? 2nd. Character of the country Bare and open, passing over between the two places? black soils, rocky ground, and deep sand; there is a made road for only 8 miles out of Tinnevelly, P2

B27

212 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI. J

8rd. Amount of existing traffic between the two places ?

4th. Cost of transport per ton and per bale of Cotton from one place to another?

5th. Quantity of Cotton pass- ing from Tinnevelly to Tuti- corin ?

6th. Quality of Cotton, whether of Native growth or improved varieties ?

7th. Weight of an average bale of Cotton ?

8th. Amount produced per acre in your district. State amount in two forms, firstly, quantity of Cotton seed; second- ly, quantity of Cotton clean?

and the river Tambrapoorney, unbridged, intervenes.

Tinnevelly is not a Cotton producing Taluk. Cotton is grown in the northern Taluks and north-eastern Taluks. Gene- ral commodities pass between the two places. |

Cost of transport per ton and for a bundle of Cotton depends entirely on the season of the year. If in rainy weather when the Ryots plough their fields transport becomes expensive, but | on the average the transport of } Cotton to Tuticorin from the Cotton producing Taluks costs 10 rupees per ton of 20 cwt. or about 9 As. a bundle of 120 lbs.

Cotton is not sent from Tin- nevelly to Tuticorin. But the average quantity taken into Tuti- corin yearly from the’ Ottapi- darum, Sattur, Shenkarninarcoil, and Strivilliputtur Taluks, along the trunk Cotton road connecting the Cotton growing localities with Tuticorin, is 33,000 Candies of cleaned Cotton. |

Entirely of Native growth; no other description is exported from Tuticorin. The quality is known in Europe as Tinnevelly Cotton ; it is clean in colour but short in staple, and generally fetches the highest price of Indian Indigen- ous Cotton. :

The average weight of a bundle that comes from the district to Tuticorin is 120 lbs. Cotton coming from the interior is pack- ed in bundles, never in bales.

Istly. The highest quantity of seed produced per acre is 2 Candy, equal to 15 Madras Maunds, and the lowest 5; Maunds.

2ndly. The highest quantity of cleaned Cotton per acre is + Candy, or 5 Madras Maunds, and the lowest 12 Maund. |

1853-62. |

9th. Whether the soil of your district is of the black adhesive kind known as Cotton soil ?

_ 10th. Send a small quantity (4 or 5 Ibs.) to Madras for analy- ‘sis as soon as possible ?

- jlth. Price of Cotton on board ‘ship? |

|

12th. Price given to cultiv- ator?

18th. Average number of acres eultivated with Cotton by one ‘individual in your district ? | 14th. Maximum number cul- ‘tivated with Cotton by one in- ‘dividual.

15th. Quantity of Cotton ex- ‘ported from Tuticorin ? |

[

' 16th. Is any extension of cul- ‘tivation of Cotton likely to take ‘place in your district were a ‘stimulus given to the growth of Cotton by a considerable rise in ‘its price, or by any other means? ' 17th. Quantity of Cotton ‘grown in your District ?

18th. What is the total num- ‘ber of acres available for Cotton cultivation in this district ?

19th. Do Capitalists make ‘advances to Ryots engaged in Cotton cultivation ?

CARNATIC: EIGHT

DISTRICTS. 213

Cotton is cultivated in this district on four descriptions of soils, viz., first, Karisel, or black soil; second, Veppel, a mixture of black and sandy soil; third, Pottel, or stiff clay soil; and fourth, Shevel, or red soil; but ae extensively on black Cotton soil.

Five pounds of each of the first three descriptions of soils will be forwarded to the Chem- ical Examiner at Madras for analysis.

The price of Cotton on board ship varies considerably accord- ing to the state of the market, but on the average has been 89 Rupees per Candy of 500 lbs. net weight during the last four years.

The price given to cultivator per Candy of uncleaned Cotton with seed, ranges from Rupees 14-12-3 to Rupees 20-15-0.

Seven acres.

Sixty acres.

Quantity exported from Tuti- corin in Fasly 1270, from Ist July, 1860 to 30th June, 1861, was 30,667 Candies.

If there was a considerable rise in the price of Cotton, the cultivation would doubtless be extended. I do not see a better stimulus than this.

The average quantity grown yearly in the last three years was 150,000 Candies ; this is Cotton not cleaned.

207,850 acres.

The Merchants and Agents make large advances to the Brokers, Dealers, and Nattoo- kottay Chetties equal to three-

328

214 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI.

quarters of the value of Cotton | contracted for, and the latter again make advances to the Ryots engaged in Cotton cultiv- ation. ! 20th. What is done with the A portion of the surplus Cot- surplus Cotton seed ? ton seed is used as food for cattle, some is exported to Colombo.

Letter from Mr. Hardy, European Agent at Tuti- corin.—The following letter, received from Mr. Thomas | Mr. Hardy's Hardy, at Tuticorin, furnishes the follow- letter, 10th ing particulars respecting the Cotton trade Nov., 1861. :

of Tinnevelly.

“ The average exports of Cotton for the last 10 years from this district have been about bales 55,000, but this year it may probably reach 90,000: one season during this decennial period it reached only bales 16,000, the crop being nearly a total failure. During the first half of these ten years, the price rarely exceeded Rupees 60 per Candy of 500 lbs.; but during the last five years the price has rarely been less than Rupees 80, and is now Rupees 100; which latter price will require at the present rates of freight and exchange, about 7d. per lb. at home to cover cost, charges, and commission. I have no doubt the present high price will cause a much greater quantity of land to be brought under Cotton cultivation, but not to the extent in this district as might be expected, for all agricultural produce has risen in value more than Cotton. At the same time Cotton is a very favourite cultivation with the Ryots. It gives them fuel, and the seed is the best and most fattening food for their cattle. The quality of Cotton produced here is second to no Indigenous Cotton grown in India (excepting the Dharwar saw-ginned) ; it is of good colour, but the staple is short, and the Ryots adulterate it with seed and trash. If such was not the case it would rank higher in Europe. Nearly the whole of the Cotton grown here went formerly to China, but it now almost entirely goes to London and Liverpool, but the bulk is re-exported principally to Northern Europe. Cotton is here planted in rather a slovenly manner broad cast, and two crops are taken

- -_-_ —=

s -*

1853-62.| CENTRAL TABLE-LAND: FIVE DISTRICTS. 215

during the year, one in February and one in June. Cotton is planted in the month of October and Novem- ber, and deliveries begin to take place in April. Cot- ton is all bought on contract for delivery under heavy advances to the sellers, viz., about three-fourth of its value, and for delivery in periods varying from two to four months.” In a subsequent letter, Mr. Hardy says,—“ I do not think that saw gins will be introduced in Tinnevelly, for the staple of the Tinnevelly Cotton is shorter than that of Dharwar.”

ord, Central Table-land: five Districts.—This large territory between the Western and Eastern Ghauts slopes away from west to east, and from south to north; that is, from the great western chain of moun- tains to what might be called the eastern hills; and from the southern territory of Mysore, which has a mean elevation of 3000 feet, to the northern districts of Bellary and Cuddapah, where the mean elevation is 1600 feet. It embraces five districts, viz.—(1) Bellary, (2) Kurnool, (3) Cuddapah, (4) Salem, (5) Coimbatore.

(1) Bellary: detailed report from the Collector.— “Bellaryisoneof the largest Cotton-growing 5 44 districts in the Madras Presidency. The way’s letter, Collector reports that nearly 600,000 acres 10th June, are available for the cultivation, and of these nearly half were planted with Cotton during the season of 1860-61. The land is tolerably accessible to the ordinary country carts at all times, save during the rainy weather. A sufficient quantity ‘of Cotton is obtained for consumption within the district, and a large quantity is exported to Madras, Bangalore, Wal- lajapet, and Coomptah. These lines of communication, with the exception of the one to Coomptah, appear to be in good order.” The following extracts from a detailed report furnished by Mr. Pelly, the Collector, in reply to Professor Mallet’s application, are worthy of record.

Soil Attempts have at different times been made to introduce the cultivation in this district yy. peys of the American Cotton; but theexperiments letter, 7th have generally failed. The Cotton grown ™%18*

329

330

ool

302

216 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI.

throughout this district, viz., ‘White Cotton,’ is of but one kind. This Cotton is grown in the Black or | Regud lands, dependent entirely on the rain; it is not usual to water Cotton by artificial means. It is cus- | tomary to cultivate Cotton in every third year, leaving the land in the two intermediate years for the growth | of Cholum (dry grain) crops. Before the rainy season | sets in, the land is prepared and kept ready for sowing, — by ploughing it twice with the implement called ‘ Chin- na Goontaka,’ a large hoe drawn by four bullocks. The © Regud, or Black lands, of this district generally retain their moisture at a depth of half a yard under the sur- face. When suflicient rain has fallen to soak the upper surface to a depth of half a yard, and so to connect it with the under moist soil, it is considered that the land has received a sufficient supply, and Cotton is accord- ingly sown init. After the sowing, if rain falls at any time within a month, it is of much benefit to the crop ; but the crop is not dependent on this second fall, if the. ground has been previously fully moistened. Cotton is sown by itself or with corraloo: two rows of the lat- ter grain are sown for every one row of Cotton. Cotton sown by itself, is sown generally about fifteen days later than the sowing of Cotton mixed with corraloo. The land is hable to be overgrown with grass if not

kept down; but weeds do not abound generally.

Geology and Topography.—* The dry lands of this district may be classed into three sorts :—I1st, Black ; 2nd, Mixture of Black and Red; 3rd, Red. The soil of the southern Talooks is generally of the two latter descriptions, and that of the western Talooks is of the first and second descriptions. The other Talooks are entirely Black land. Much of the irrigated land is Black, and a portion is mixed with sand, like the second description of dry land, or with salt land. The Black and Mixed soils are free from any rocks or stones, but the Red land is intermixed with stones and gravels. This Red land is not fertile soil. When it is cultivated continually for three years, it becomes unfit for cultiva- tion, and must lie fallow for five or six years. White gravel is found at two yards below the ground in Black

1853-62.| CENTRAL TABLE-LAND: FIVE DISTRICTS. 217

lands, and Red gravel is found at about half to one yard below the ground in the other two descriptions of soil. The distance to this district from the eastern coast is about 300 miles, and from the western coast 200 miles; and its situation is about 1500 feet above the level of the sea, and is naturally well drained.

Climate.—“ In this inland district the rain-fall is 333 very small, generally about 20 to 30 inches at most, and the climate is very dry. The seasons for rain are from May to August, and secondly from September to the 15th November. The quantity of rain that fell during the last five years is shown in the foot note.* The Cotton lands are entirely dependent upon the fall of rain, as irrigation is not employed.

Seed used and whence obtained.—“ The kind of seed 334 used, is that of the Cotton grown in this district.

Nature and character of the Cotton“ The Cotton 335 of this district is of the herbaceous character, or small shrubs. The height of the plant varies from two and a half to one and a half feet. Its branches are spread over a foot, and the seed sown is two or three inches apart in the same row, but between each row a space of about one foot and a half is left. When Cotton and corraloo are sown together, one row of Cotton is planted for every two rows of corraloo, and a space of about two feet is left between each line. The corraloo is harvested earlier than the Cotton, which comes to ma- turity a month afterwards. In the best lands, the root spreads one to one and a half feet in depth; but in ordinary land not deeper than one foot or even less; laterally it does not spread more than from three to four inches.

Method of cultivation, time of flowering, and 336 weight of Cotton wool per acre, &c.—“ As already

* Early rains. Later rains. Inches. Inches. 1852-53 .. ESO ay a een ae os aba 1853-54 .. Awe ae 2°3 1854-55 .. ea 10°9 1855-56 .. a 15°3 1856-57 .. . 14 6-4

218 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI. |

stated, the Regud or Black land, previously made ready for cultivation, 1s, upon a seasonable fall of rain, sown through bamboo tubes with an implement called | Gooroo (Drill plough), containing three teeth, and | drawn by a pair of bullocks. But m sowing Cotton and corraloo together, the former is sown in the drill made by the middle tooth of the drill, and the corraloo | on either side; making one row of Cotton for every | two lines of corraloo. When Cotton is sown alone, the middle drill is left unfilled, and the two outer ones are alone sown. The usual time for the cultivation of Cot- ton with corraloo is about the month of September, and for Cotton alone about fifteen or twenty days after- wards. The plants are two or three inches apart in the same row; but the rows are, as before said, one and a half to two feet from each other. The amount of labour bestowed upon weeding during growing time is as follows. When the Cotton and corraloo crops are of one month’s growth, two implements (Hoes) called ‘ Yadagoontakah,’ drawn with a bullock and a driver each, are employed for weeding on two occasions, once in twelve days. After this has been done, another de- scription of implement, called ‘ Juntalagoontakah,’ three in number, with a pair of bullocks and three drivers, 1s employed on two occasions once in ten days. The extent of land which may be weeded from nine o’clock in the morning up to the evening would not be more than four acres; and the amount of labour be- stowed upon weeding four times the above quantity of land may be estimated at Rupees 24, or 4s. 6d. But where Cotton alone is sown without corraloo, the weed is hoed after one month’s growth of the crop, twice at twelve days’ interval, by the ‘ Pillagoontaka,’ with a pair of bullocks and two drivers, at a cost of eight an- nas per day, or one rupee for the two occasions they are employed. The average extent of land weeded in a day is four acres. The flowering time is generally two months after sowing, and the crop comes to maturity three months after flowering or five months after sow- ing. The Cotton is picked on three occasions in the month. It is in the second time that the largest quan-

1853-62. | CENTRAL TABLE-LAND: FIVE DISTRICTS. 219

tity of Cotton is picked. On the whole, the average quantity of Cotton produced per acre may be estimated at 15 maunds (875 lbs.) ; and, deducting one-third or five maunds for the remuneration of persons employed in picking, the net quantity remaining for the culti- vator would be 10 maunds, which will produce 24 maunds of Cotton wool. On an average, one man is required to clean one maund of Cotton in a day, at the rate of one anna per maund.

Manure.—‘ Manure is never used; the seed is not returned to the ground until the land is sown again. After the picking is over, the stalks are cut down and gathered, and do not decay on the field.

Diseases,—* The Cotton crop is free from the ravages of insects; but when the north-east wind blows, the plant is subject to blight of three kinds, called ‘ Mujjega,’ ‘Mussy,’ and ‘ Barigi.’ By the first kind, the leaves of the plant become white; by the second, the tender as well as other leaves turn black and wither away soon; and by the last, the leaves, &c., become spotted and destroyed. But if the south-east wind blows, and the sun is bright, it will recover.”

(2) Kurnool: a Cotton-growing District.—“ Kurnool is a Cotton-growing district, having about 250,000 acres under cultivation. It carries on a 4. small export trade through Cuddapah to chin’s letter, Madras. Mr. Minchin, the Collector, is of Sth Feb. opinion that the sole obstacle to the in- creased production of the article, consists in its great bulk as compared with its value :—the cost of transit to Madras, and consequent low price which the trader can afford to pay to the producer as compared with other staples of production.

Cost of transit: the sole obstacle to increased pro- duction.—‘“ The average cost of a bandy from the Cot- ton-producing Talook of Pattikondu to Madras is Ru- pees 30, or 60s.; and as one-third of a ton is the great- est load that is ever placed on a cart or bandy at the most favourable season of the year, ninety Rupees, or £9 per ton of the price obtainable at Madras, has to be deducted for the cost of transit. The Cotton itself is

Bal

338

309

340

O41

342

220 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [ CHAP. VI.

of a most worthless description, and its intrinsic value is not therefore sufficient to enable it to bear a costly land carriage. Iam not myself of opinion that the staple is likely to be improved in any way by Native agri- culturists. The modes of cultivation, picking, and pre- paration, are all too slovenly to permit any reasonable hope of material improvement being effected by un- taught Native efforts, even should the Ryots be willing to make any efforts of the kind. There is no doubt, however, that when the ordinary Cotton of this coun- try reaches'a price sufficient to pay the cost of the expensive land journey to the coast, it can be produced in this district to a large extent, and the limit to its cultivation is simply its proportionate remuneration to the producer, as compared with that of grains. It appears certain, therefore, that the completion of the canal to Madras, and the cheap means of communica- tion that will then be offered, will enable traders to pay a much larger price for the ordinary Cotton of this district than they can now afford to do; and should the present demand for the article continue, its pro- duction in this part of the country will be increased.

Improvements in the quality must be effected by the Merchants themselves.—“ Should the exigencies of the English market induce English capitalists to settle in the district, under their guidance some improvement would doubtless be effected in the picking and prepara- tion of the article. I doubt, however, the practicability of any real improvement bemg made in the staple; and believe that if England looks to India for her Cotton supply, our manufacturers must learn to make use of the present inferior description, which alone the country appears capable of producing.”

(3) Cuddapah: present state of Cotton as reported by Mr. Wedderburn, the Collector.—Cuddapah is also a Cotton-growing district, about 50,000 acres being under this cultivation. Mr. Wedderburn,

Mr. Wedder- burn’sletter, the Collector, reports as follows. “ The 25tt April, _out-turn of this district last year was calcu-

jated at more than two millions of lbs., valued at 3id. per lb. upon the spot, or about £30,000,

1853-62.| CENTRAL TABLE-LAND: FIVE DISTRICTS. 221

the greater part of which is exported. This Cotton, though short in staple, is of a fair quality; but it is liable to deterioration from careless picking and pack- ing. Itis not properly cleaned, and when gathered it is packed loosely in bags which do not exclude the dust. Were some mercantile firm to purchase direct from the grower, and to superintend or insist on greater care in the gathering, and to establish a screw press on the spot to screw the bales ready for shipment in this dry climate, instead of that process being performed in the damp air of the sea-coast, I believe that the value of this Cotton in the home market would be enhanced, and the cost of carriage reduced. Finer qualities than the Indigenous Cotton could only be produced by a local demand and good prices.” In a sub-

sequent letter Mr. Wedderburn stated that Hee Ssh. the extension of the cultivation deperided 22nd Oct., upon the profit to be derived from the ex- portation of Cotton as compared with the exportation of other grain products. That Government could do nothing that would prove of advantage, beyond add- Ing a few bridges to a road, and thus facilitating the export, and cheapening the cost of transit. Above all, that the people would not be induced to grow any kind of Cotton but their own stunted Indigen- ous variety ; all previous experiments with foreign seed having proved failures, excepting perhaps in gar- dens and favoured localities; whilst the commercial value of other crops grown on irrigated lands rendered it impossible that Cotton should be grown at a profit on any but dry lands. Private individuals must take the risk and profit of introducing a better system of cultivation, if there be one; and of dealing directly for the raw produce, which is much deteriorated in picking, cleaning, packing, and transit.

Detailed report by Mr. Murray, the previous Col- lector.—The following report, drawn up in yp Murray's 1858 in reply to Professor Mallett’s applica- __ letter, 1st tion, conveys still more particular informa- °"'**

; YS 8 ore partic tion respecting the Cotton cultivation in the district of Cuddapah.

343

222 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI.

344 Soil. Cotton is chiefly grown in the Western portion of the Cuddapah district, in land commonly designated ‘Ragada’ or Black Cotton soil, which is very tenacious of moisture and is almost impassable in the monsoon. During the dry weather, the whole surface of the ground is broken up by the deep fissures caused by the | drought, but is filled up during the rains. The soilis | 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 Ryot wish to cultivate this waste land, he will require to yoke six or eight pairs of large heavy bullocks to his plough to force it through the roots, which also require to be extirpated by manual labour with the aid of pick- axes. ‘There is also an Indigenous plant with a root something resembling a Potato, commonly called by the Natives ‘ Kudunchy ;’ the root varies from the size of a small toa large Potato, is excessively bitter, and cannot be eaten, and from it springs a species of vine, which runs along the ground and produces a yel- low flower, and a fruit of the size of a small green chilly, which is gathered by the Natives and used as food. I have never seen this root in any other except in the Black land. A species of wild Hyacinth is also very common; several other kinds of weeds common to other soils are also produced upon Black soil.

346 Geology and Topography.— The Black Cotton soil rests chiefly upon sand, kunkur, or lime. When ex- cavations are made for the purpose of obtaining water, it is found to extend 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

1853-62. | CENTRAL TABLE-LAND: FIVE DISTRICTS. 223

range from two yards to 30 or 40 feet deep. The dis- trict of Cuddapah is very mountainous. The Black Cotton soil commences ata short distance from Cudda- pah, and runs westward on the east side of the Nulla- malah range on through the Bellary district. The plains are undulating and naturally well draimed; 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 lat- ter 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 2000 to 2300 feet in this province.

Climate.—“ The climate in the hot weather is very hot; and the Black soil becoming thoroughly heated, retains it until it is cooled down by the rains. Slight showers may be generally expected in May, June, and July, which enables 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 Indigenous Cotton, irriga- tion 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 Cotton 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.

347

348

349

224 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [ CHAP. VI.

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 Culti- vators is to feed their cattle; for which purpose they are most excellent.

Character of the Cotton plant.—“ The Cotton plant grown in this part of the country is herbaceous. The Cotton tree grows in the jungles, but the produce is of no use in manufactures, the staple bemg 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 3 feet, and extends its

branches about 18 inches. The seeds are sown about

300

a foot apart from each other in regular rows, and not unfrequently, horse-gram is sown between the plants. The root of the Cotton plant shoots down perpendi- cularly to the distance of eight inches, and the plant is dependent upon one tap root, from which others diverge. Should this be destroyed, the plant dies. Mode of cultivation, time of flowering, weight of 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. After 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 thoroughly 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 lbs., | and the ginned Cotton 50 lbs.

351 Manure.—“ Manure is not in general used for grow-

| 1853-62.| CENTRAL TABLE-LAND: FIVE DISTRICTS. 225

| ing 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 mon- « soon rains. | Diseases.—* Cotton plants when weakened by un- ‘seasonable rains, suffer from the etfects.of a mildew, ; which covers the green leaf with white spots, and then ;the plant being thus weakened is speedily attacked by (insects, grasshoppers, etc., and destroyed. Another | species of blight causes honey dew to exude from the ; plant, which greatly weakens it. In January, should jthere be cloudy weather and rain whilst the pods are | forming, they are very liable to drop off and the produce to be injured.”

(4) Salem: Messrs. Fischer and Co,, the only ex- {porters.—The Cotton lands under cultiva- yp .ioror uy ;tion in this district are rather more than Brett, 14th 15,000 acres. Messrs. Fischer and Co. are Day TEL. jthe only persons in the district who buy Cotton for exportation, and the views of Mr. Fischer jupon the subject have already been exhi- ‘bited. The Collector adds that good roads intersect ithe 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.

(5) Coimbatore: detailed report of Mr. Thomas, ‘the Collector.—In this important district, the scene of Dr. Wight’s labours, upwards of 120,000 acres are under Cotton cultivation. The report of Mr. Thomas in reply to Professor Mallett’s application y,™omas’s as rather lengthy, but exhibits so many plain _ letter, 18th and practical details, that it has been ex- °°? 1®°" pedient to print it in extenso, merely omitting certain data which have already been exhibited so prominently in the summary of Dr. Wight’s reports, as to require no repetition here.

Para. 38.

352

B03

B04

Soil: Black, Red, and Alluvium.— <The soils on 355

Q

306,

226 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VL

which Cotton is grown in this district are as follows. 1. Black Cotton soil (also called Regur),a formation said to be peculiar to India. Its component parts seem as yet doubtful. 2. Red soil, formed from disintegrated eranite, with a large admixture of sand. 3. Alluvium of sand and loam, very light and mixed with much kunkur limestone. The stiffer clayey soils do not answer well, being lable to bake and become very hard | in dry weather. These two latter are not very deep, | averaging about fourteen inches. The Black soil is} the deepest, averaging three or four feet, not unfre- | quently reaching six feet in depth; it is also the dry- | est, and though very absorbent after rain at first, it does not keep the moisture long, and the rain does not penetrate it beyond a few inches. In some of the more sandy Black soils it is said however to penetrate three feet. The Red soils, on the other hand, retain the moisture longer, and it penetrates them deeper. Nearly every crop grown in India is raised on these soils, the various kinds of millets,* the castor oil plant, etc. On the Black soil, coriander and Bengal-gram | (Cicer Arietinum, Lin.) are also largely sown; but it is chiefly devoted to the Oopum or Native Cotton; the New Orleans and other exotic species not having been found so suitable for it. The soils are all fertile, but a}, field’s producing good grain crops is not a criterion It} will yield a good Cotton crop, which is also regarded |, as very exhausting to the soil. The Red and Alluvial seem to produce no weeds, but are covered with the), general vegetation of the country. The Black soil is singularly destitute of weeds; thistles and the daturata (Stramonium) seem to attach themselves most to it, and it nourishes only thorny trees of the acacia tribe. Geology and topography.—“ The district is entirely primitive granite rock, over which the soil is in general

N

i y, f ( * E. g. Cholum (Holchus Saccharatus. Lin.) Cumboo (Holchus Spicatus. Lin.) Raggy (Cynosurus Coracanus. Lin.) Samy (Panicum Miliaceum. Lin.) Tenay (Panicum Italicum. Lin.) Gram (Glycine Tomentosa. Lin.)

/1853-62.] CENTRAL TABLE-LAND: FIVE DISTRICTS. 227

but thinly spread ; the underlying rock frequently crop-

‘ping out. Beds of kunkur or limestone generally occur ‘beneath the Black soil. Its topographical character is ‘that of a wide plain between two mountain ranges, averaging 70 miles across from north to south. The Western portion lies opposite the Paulghaut Gap, a remarkable break of some 30 miles wide in the line of the Western Ghauts about 70 miles from the sea, ‘through which the moist south-west monsoon blows inland strongly and incessantly from June to Septem- ‘ber. It is in the tract under the influence of this current that the New Orleans and exotic Cottons srow best. The general level above the sea, may be estimated at 1000 feet, and the surface being every- ‘where gently undulating is well drained.

Climate-—“ From June to September, during the ‘prevalence of the south-west monsoon, the climate is

l ] j |

(cool and cloudy with continual light rains. In Octo-

“ber and November heavy showers fall, the north-east

‘monsoon then sets in, and there is a continuance of Iclear, bright weather with heavy night dews till Feb-

ruary. Hot burning land winds then prevail till May, and all vegetation is scorched up, though the early showers are generally looked for i April and May ; these rains however are by no means constant. From

re une to September the tract lying within and in front

of the Paulghaut Gap receives continual rain, which seldom however extends to the lands beside or beyond ‘the gap. In October and November the heaviest ‘showers fall. The yearly average of rain at Coimbatore is 18 inches, and probably twice as much in its south- ‘west portion. Irrigation is not employed in the culti- vation of Cotton. It was tried experimentally with jfavourable results, but had to be used sparingly, and care taken that the surface of the ground did not cake. In a small field, which had been occasionally watered, the crop of New Orleans Cotton amounted to 260 lbs. per acre, whilst in another neighbouring field unirri- gated, the pickings scarcely reached 20 lbs. per acre. Difference of soil, however, may have had some influence Q 2

B07

oe

228 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI.

over this; and by some irrigation is said not to answer, producing leaves but not Cotton. Seed used and whence obtained.—The seed of the |i Native Oopum. Cotton is kept by the Natives from the last crop, and sown in the following season. The seed is not separated from the Cotton till the sowimg time, or it loses its germinating power. The New Orleans, | Bourbon, Mexican, &c. seed used in the late Experi- mental Farm, was obtained by Government from Eng- land, or brought out by the American Planters formerly |t engaged on the Farm here. New Orleans seed of the ninth generation in this country produced excellent crops ; and the American plant has been cultivated in this district from the same seed for eleven years, with- out apparent deterioration in the quality of either the | Cotton or seed produced.* Character of the Cotton plant—‘“The Oopum is a | small plant, seldom exceeding five feet in height, gene- rally less, and wears the appearance of a degenerated species. lts branches have not the same lateral spread as the exotic kinds. The Bourbon also averages from two to three feet in height, but the branches extend almost as far laterally. The plants are low, depressed, |; crooked, and as it were stunted. The New Orleans |: variety, if left untrimmed, shoots up to nearly six feet in height. In the field it averages about four feet; | the branches are longer and thinner than the preceding | species, with more of an upward than a lateral direc- | tion. A bush four feet high and trimmed will measure | nearly as much in spread. Two hundred pods have | been counted on a single bush, the stem often equals a | man’s finger in thickness, and it is the only description cultivated here, that at all approaches a tree. From a foot to eighteen inches is left between the plants, but if the growth is vigorous not less than an average dis- tance of eighteen inches should be allowed. In moderately fertile and high and dry lands, from two and a half to three feet between the rows is enough; |

* This fact has been disputed. See General Results at the con- | clusion of the present chapter, para. 372. |

|1853-62.] CENTRAL TABLE-LAND: FIVE DISTRICTS. 229

but for moist low-lying rich soils five feet is. not too much, as in such circumstances the bushes will still fill the ground, and unless they have plenty of room the scrop blights. The roots-of Native Cotton penetrate ideeper than American, and the Bourbon plant goes even deeper than the Native; hence the two latter bear heat and drought better than American. In the sam- ples of American plants now forwarded, the roots owing to their age (5 years) are immensely developed, ex- |jtending some of them to four feet in length and two |feet i in lateral spread: this no doubt much exceeds the jiaverage of ordinary plants, which are now unfortunately jmot obtaiable. The roots of the Bourbon plant ap- .pear to average one foot anda half in depth and fifteen anches in spread, and those of the Native Oopum Cot- ‘ton to be about the same in depth, which, considering it is much the smallest of the three, argues a greater proportional depth. Its lateral roots however appear [to be very insignificant.

{| Mode of cultivation, time of flowering, weight of 360 (Cotton wool per acre, ete.—‘“‘In the southern pro- lvinees of India, the cultivation of Cotton has to be adapted to the peculiarities of the season. Drought is fan obstacle, not so much from insufficiency in the jquantity of rain, as from its all falling within too short ‘a period. Occasionally for months scarcely a shower falls, until the monsoon regularly sets in ; and then, in place of the total quantity being distributed over two or three months, nearly the whole falls in as many rweeks or even days. This usually happens in October ; jand a few days of gloomy weather and heavy rain has been known to destroy a fine crop just bursting the jpod. It becomes therefore an object so to regulate the ‘sowing, that the flowering shall commence after the heavy rains have ceased, and the pods ripen during the bright clear weather that always follows; so that, in short, the plants may receive wet weather while grow- ing, and dry sunny weather while maturing. The mode of cultivation is simple. The ground is well ploughed, the deeper the better; and as much as possi- ble freed from weeds, and if uneven the inequalities

230 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [ CHAP. VI. |"

reduced. It should then remain fallow some months, and kept in readiness to receive the seed at a day’s notice; a single heavy shower will then fit it for the reception of the seed. Any such falling between the’ middle of August and beginning of October should be taken advantage of, to get the seed sown. If this is. done, the plant will be sufficiently advanced to derive | the fullest benefit from the monsoon rains, and should |' come into crop in the course of January, a bright and | dry month; from which time in ordinary seasons it | will yield a constant harvest for three or- four months, | and if refreshed by a shower or two in April or May, | will yield a second crop in autumn. The first hoeing

is a most important operation, and should never be delayed beyond the appearance of the third proper leaf (not counting the two seed leaves) ; the ground should be freely loosened round the roots, and superfluous plants thinned out, so as to give those that are left ample room to spread and fill the ground. In a month or two, when the flowers begin to open, a second hoeing is wanted to clean the ground; otherwise it gets foul and weedy. rom that time little more is required, as the plants are then sufficiently advanced to keep down the weeds and receive little mjury from them. Ano- ther ploughing in the interval between the two hoeings is always beneficial, by so well loosening and airing the soil. Very few plants are injured by ploughing be- tween the rows, as the roots penetrate deeply and are not in the way of the plough; while any plant trodden down by the bullocks, the roots being uninjured, soon recovers. The seed should never be sown deeper than two inches, if simply covered it is enough. From three and a half to four feet between the rows is a good dis- tance, as allowing the free use of the plough; heavier crops are so obtained than from closer sowing, the fruit setting and ripening better, and fewer flowers blighting and dropping off. A foot, or, should the plant be vigor- ous, eighteen inches should be allowed between the plants. The “ridginge” system does not answer, as it runs the water off too rapidly. After the autumn crop

is picked, the ground should be deeply ploughed be-

|/1853-62.] CENTRAL TABLE-LAND: FIVE DISTRICTS. 231

|, tween the rows, and well exposed to air before the mon- | soon rains set in; and should they be copious, may be |, again ploughed and afterwards hoed and weeded. ‘The |, plants will then shoot afresh and bear another year ; but |, the second crop is seldom good, and scarcely worth the _ cost, in the interior at least. On the coast, New Orleans Cotton has been known to yield better crops in the se- cond year. The foregoing account refers to the culti- |; vation in this district of American Cotton. The Native |, mode of cultivating Indigenous Cotton answers to it in _all essential pomts. 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 fi ‘ three times weeded during growth. At the first weed- , ing five labourers are employed per acre; at the second | six; and at the third four: they are paid i in grain. The “picking occupies February and March, and is done at _ intervals of eight days at a time. Four labourers are , employed per acre in picking, and one labourer will _ pick 12 lbs. of clean Cotton in the season. Generally speaking, from 150 to 250 lbs. per acre is always looked upon as a full crop of Native seed Cotton, while from 350 to 500 lbs. is by no means unusual in the case of American in good soil and very dark coloured. Very light, almost sandy, alluvial loam, usually cultivated as _ rice fields, has been known to produce from 1200 to 1400 Ibs. of seed Cotton (American) per acre. Three hundred pounds of seed Cotton represent 90 lbs. of clean Cotton. Cultivation to be profitable should yield 100 lbs. of ginned staple per acre. Guns give for Na- tive Cotton about 21, and for American 29 per cent. of Cotton to seed. Manure.—< No manure is used, nor any Cotton seed , returned to the soil. The stalks are not allowed to de- , eay on the ground. They are always plucked up and _ used by the Natives as firewood. ' Diseases.—“ With respect to Native Cotton, in No- _ vember and December the roots are liable to be attacked . by a worm or grub, which kills the plant. In Decem- _ ber, too, the flowers and leaves are sometimes destroyed

_ bya blight. Should too strong an east wind blow in :

x . — J —as

. on —_— Pare —_— on =

61

362

232 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI

January, February, or March, the leaves fall, the plants © droop, and the pods growcrooked. Cloudy, rainy weather — when the pods burst spoils them. In American Cotton, the flowers are apt to be extensively destroyed by two | beetles, of the genera cetonia and cantharis, that feed upon them; the pods, when ripening, are liable to be > pierced by an insect, the lava of which feeds on the in- side; so that when they open,a large portion of the — wool is stained rusty red and spoilt.”

363 4th, Western strip or Malabar coast: three districts, —The narrow strip of land between the Western Ghauts and Indian Ocean, is known by the general name of Malabar, and stretches from the little Native state of Paras. 7,101, Cochin on the South, northwards to the 2 frontiers of the Bombay Presidency. The physical features of this region, which is peculiarly

open to the influence of the south-west

monsoon, have already been described; as well as the results of the Cotton exploring expedition of Mr. Simpson, the American planter. The country is divided into three districts; viz——(1) North Canara; (2) South Canara; (8) Malabar.

364 (1) North Canara: not a Cotton producing District. — North Canara is not at present a Cotton producing district. The port of Coomptah on the coast is the out- let for nearly all the Cotton exported from Bellary and the Nizam’s dominions. ‘The district is also the scene of an interesting experiment in the growth of foreign Mr. Fischer's Cotton now under trial. The Collector re- letter, 12th = ports that the lines of communication be- April, 1861. ~ tween the frontier of the neighbouring Cot- ton districts and the coast, are in better order than any beyond the boundary of the district. The principal road, namely, that between Dharwar and Coomptah, is bridged and metalled, and in good working order. Mr. Fischer adds,—* The obstacles to increased production seem to be uncertainty of local demand, the want of European capital and influence in the producing dis- tricts, and the absence of a direct shipping port on the coast. If European Agency and capital were to be found in the Cotton districts, there would be no diffi-

Paras. 76, 78.

| 1853-62.] MALABAR COAST: THREE DISTRICTS. 233

‘ culty in increasing the supply of Cotton. .However |! great the demand may be at a distance, it has but a very indirect effect on the producing powers of the Ryot. | If the demand exists at his own door, or within his own | district, he has both the will and the industry to profit | by it.” | r Repert of the District Engineer on the experimental 365 ‘culture of Mr. Kleinknecht.—The District Engineer | reports “that Cotton soil, in the usual ac- , _ ceptation of that term, does not exist in Walker's this district, except possibly in small iter oth __ patches along portions of the Dharwar fron- tier near Moondagode and Hullial, where however _ Cotton is not:actually grown, the ground being covered with jungle. But it is right to add that an experiment on a large _ scale for the growth of Cotton in jungle land below the Ghauts, has been in progress for a couple of seasons, under Mr. Kleinknecht, the Agent for Mr. Brooke, a Merchant of Bombay and Secretary to the Chamber of | Commerce at that port. None but the finest varieties of foreign seed are put down by Mr. Kleinknecht, and I have heard a very high opinion expressed of samples of his produce by the Agent of another Bombay Firm now | at Beitkool. Mr. Brooke and Mr. Kleimknecht appear ~ | to have studied the subject for some years past, and to have experimentally satisfied themselves as to the right season for planting, on which so much depends. So far as 1am yet informed, Mr. Kleinknecht is sanguine of producing Cottons of superior staples, the high prices commanded by which, and the cheapness of shipping them, will amply repay even the heavy cost of European superintendence, and of felling and weeding plantations | cut in heavy jungle, and hable to an overgrowth of rank vegetation each monsoon.

“ But the fullest particulars regarding this interest- ing and practical experiment will be afforded to Govern- | ment by Mr. Kleinknecht himself, in competing for the prize offered in each Presidency for the encouragement of Cotton produce of the superior qualities. I will only add that should he prove successful, he will have opened

eo

366

367

568

369

234 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI. _

a large field for speculators in the same line, as ground © precisely similar to that operated upon by him is avail- able along the banks of all our large rivers below the Ghaut, especially the Kalee Nuddee or Sedashegur river, | the Gungawally, the Tuddey, and Honore rivers.” 4

(2) South Canara: not a Cotton producing District. —South Canara produces but a very imeconsiderable Mr tiode- amount of Cotton, and that little is sown | son’s letter, along with grain, and is used entirely in 6thDec.186l. domestic manufactures. The quantity pro- duced is indeed so small that none ever finds its way to the seaboard for shipment ; on the contrary it is imported largely from the port of Coomptah in North Canara.

(3) Malabar: not a Cotton producing District.— Mr. Grant's be Collector reports that Malabar is not letter, 13th a Cotton producing district. The article is April, 1861. ‘however largely imported by land from the adjoming province of Coimbatore, chiefly for the pur- pose of exportation by sea to Bombay.

Native States: Mysore, Cochin, and Travancore.— The Cotton grown in the Native states in the Madras MeBer’s residency is inconsiderable in quantity, letter, 3th and is almost entirely employed for domes- November, _ tic purposes. From the port of Cochin

about 250,000 lbs. 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 them- selves.

Conclusion: general results.—It seems expected that before bringing the present Hand-book to a close, the compiler should offer some opinion on the results of the experiments that have been made in the way of improv- ing the Cotton staple in this country. In the prepara- tion of the foregomg work, he has considered himself more in the light of a literary mechanic, condensing and arrancing the subject matter in such a form as would render the facts most digestible to the general reader, than as possessing any special knowledge of Cotton be- yond what might be required in the prosecution of his

1853-62.]| FOUR GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. 235

task. But still the analysis and comparison of facts naturally leads to certain convictions, and those con- victions may perhaps be recorded with advantage.

Four general conclusions.— Four general conclusions appear to have been established; viz.—

1st, American Cotton can be grown, but the profit is questionable.

2nd, Indian Cotton may be improved, but only to a degree.

érd, American Cotton must always command a higher price than Indian.

4th, The demand for Indian Cotton must always de- pend on the supply of American.

These four conclusions may be considered in order.

Ist, American Cotton can be grown, but the profit is questionable.—The fact that American Cotton can be grown in the Madras Presidency, has been suticiently proved by the numerous experiments that have been recorded ; but the produce, though of good quality, has been very variable and disappointing as regards quantity. The question of profit, however, is a totally different one. Mr. David Lees produced much fine Cotton in Tinnevelly, but at a great pecuniary sacrifice. Captain Lawford again endeavoured to prove that the cultivation of foreign Cotton would prove as profitable to the Ryot as that of grain, even on the more highly rented lands that are under an artificial system of irri- gation. But the Ryots would not be convinced. Set- ting grain out of the question, the Ryot has hitherto found it more safe and profitable to grow Indigenous Cotton than to grow New Orleans Cotton. The cultiva- tion of the Indigenous article is cheap and simple. The picking and separation of the staple from the seed costs literally nothing, for both operations are performed by hands which would be otherwise idle. The crop is tolerably certain, the staple clothes the family, the seed feeds the cattle, and the residue finds a ready market on the spot. On the other hand, American Cotton is a speculation. The cultivation is more dificult, the se- paration of the staple from the seed is more expensive, the crop is uncertain, the staple not in use amongst

370

371

72

236 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [ CHAP. VL

Native spinners, the seed popularly supposed to be un- fit for cattle, and the market doubtful and distant. High prices on the spot would extend the cultivation of Indian Cotton, and perhaps promote the cultivation of American Cotton; but this is a question for the con- sideration, not of Government, but of the merchant and manufacturer. |

2nd, Indian Cotton may be improved, but only to a degree.—This inference, though it amounts to a con- viction, is not so distinctly proved as the previous pro- position. It has been stated that at one time the Cot- ton of India was of a finer quality than it is in the present day. This may be readily believed. In the olden time, when Indian manufactured goods were in large demand, the Native manufacturers purchased the raw material upon the spot, and the prices varied ac- cording to quality. Thus the profit of the grower de- pended upon the quality of the wool, and more attention was naturally paid to the cultivation of the plant and cleanliness of the staple. Up to this point, and by means of a similar stimulus, the Indigenous Cotton may be improved in the present day, but no further. As a re- Economist, Cent writer in a London paper has remarked, 25th Jan, the Indigenous Cotton is the product of an eae Indian soil and climate, just as New Orleans is the product of an American soil and climate. The same writer also states that New Orleans Cotton grown in India has a tendency to degenerate, and to approx- imate year by year to the Indigenous article. To this it may be added that the Bourbon Cotton of the present day can scarcely be of the same quality as it was forty years ago, when “ Hughes Tinnevelly Cotton” was quoted at high prices in the Liverpool market. Indeed, it might be inferred that the crop is more or less pre- carious in proportion to the difference between the ex- otic plant and the Indigenous article. Accordingly it seems:to be very nearly proved, that whilst an improved quality of the Indigenous Cotton can be produced with profit to the Ryot by a little more care in the selection of seed, in the cultivation of the plant, and in the clean- liness of the staple,—the soil and climate of Southern

1853-62. | FOUR GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. 237

India will never produce a reliable and permanent crop of Cotton equal to the New Orleans variety.

ord, American Cotton must always command a 373 higher price than Indian.—This conclusion is already proved by what has been stated in support of the pre- vious proposition. New Orleans Cotton is undoubtedly better than any which has yet been produced in India. A pound of New Orleans makes much more yarn, and from the length of the staple can be twisted much more rapidly into yarn than a pound of Indian Cotton. Thus a pound of New. Orleans Cotton must always fetch more than a pound of Indian Cotton, because it furnishes a larger quantity and a better quality of wool.

4th, The demand for Indian Cotton must always 374 depend upon the supply of American.—This conclusion may also be inferred from the previous propositions. The manufacturer will always prefer New Orleans to Indian Cotton ; and Indian will only be purchased when New Orleans is scarce and too highly priced. The po- sition of Indian Cotton in the English market is thus strictly a subsidiary one; and its utility to the manu- facturer is more in the way of keeping down the price of New Orleans, than of being actually employed in the manufacture of goods. The tendency of New Orleans to rise in price is checked by the importation of Indian Cotton; and whenever the disparity of price is such that the same money’s worth of Indian staple will make more money’s worth of yarn than New Orleans, then the Indian will be largely in demand. The improve- ment of communications in India, and the large increase of Cotton cultivation in the latter country, will probably render the Indian Cotton better and cheaper; but until this Cotton can be laid down in Liverpool at such a price, and in such quantities, as to render the culture of American Cotton a loss to the Planter, the American will always hold its own, and the demand for Indian will depend upon the supply of American. Manchester looks to India for Cotton, not to supply her looms, but to keep down the price of the New Orleans staple.

Political and commercial prospects of Indian Cotton. 375 —Upon this point, as on the others, the compiler merely

238 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI.

expresses those convictions which have arisen mm 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 mimmimum, but it is not so certain that the price of New Orleans will fall so low as to render the Indian quite a drug in the market. The Southern States have been so disorganized, and slavery has received such a blow, that we can scarcely expect that the American supply will be fully equal to the de- mand for a long time to come; and the weight of a na- tional debt will probably be so heavy that without any direct duty on the transit of Cotton, prices must be higher than they have been hitherto. It is perhaps as well to bear these conditions in mind, inasmuch as it is sreatly to be feared that the panic which may follow the opening of the Southern ports, will prove so disastrous to the Cotton cultivation in this country, as to undo all the good that has been effected by the recent stimulus to the Indian supply. With the expression of these convictions, the task of the compiler is brought to a close.

APPENDIX.

lip

STATEMENT

SHOWING THE EXTENT OF

COTTON CULTIVATION

IN THE SEVERAL DISTRICTS OF

THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY,

FOR EIGHT YEARS, From 1853-54 to 1860-61.

ll

STATEMENT showing the Cultivation of Cotton in the Districts Jrom 1853-54, prepared from the Annual Jam-

GOVERNMENT

1

1853-54, 1854-55. 1855-56. 1856-57, DISTRICTS. || | | |] ——,

Extent. | Assess- | Extent.) Assess- | Extent. | Assess-| Extent. ment. ment. ment.

Acres. | Rupees.} Acres. | Rupees.| Acres. | Rupees.| Acres.

1 | Ganjam..........0+ 2,574 2,996| 2,482} 4,218] 2,647] 3,828] 3,066 2 | Vizagapatam...... 966} 4,506 933} 4,304) 1,019] 4,618 911 3 | Rajahmundry... 1,480] 3,594] 4,248} 9,304] 3,459} 6,979] 3,470 4 | Masulipatam......} ... Be 6,128} 6,767] . 7,246) 7,370] 6,410 ee liGuncer ae 55,206} 79,678| 54,862} 81,102] 63,570] 96,799] 60,877 6 | Nellores...:..5--, 2,786| 5,181] 3,955| 6,064] 3,513] 4,360] 3,742] 7 | Cuddapah.......... 42,233} 60,862) 47,962} 71,414] 40,554) 56,041) 44,224 8 | Bellary .............. | 1,32,585|1,56,909 |1,04,578|1,26,778| 73,544] 89,11411,50,927 9 | Kurnool............. 66,023] 76,148| 64,641) 72,755) 59,739 66,935 70,835 10 | Chingleput........ sis sap site ot 2 8 1 11 | North Arcot...... cy, ce 21 67 35 63 32 12 | South Arcot....... 1,828] 5,078] 2,227| 4,323] 4,868] 10,553] 3,131 13 | Tanjone..:.........-. 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 | 1,04,408 | 1,11,576 17 | Coimbatore........ | 1,03,196| 1,66,360|1,04,559| 161,311 | 1,22,457|1,40,455| 80,417 18 Salen 200k. gy 7,338} 11,564] 7,608] 11,922] 5,597] 8,568] 11,241 19 | Canaray.ijieccseei Sais ae se 25 20 | Malahar ............ 21 | Madras....... vines Bie

Poatale ne, 5,86,239|7,59,590 '5,72,366 | 7,47,326 |5,42,631 | 6,69,537 | 5,88,605

lll

of the Madras Presidency for the last eight years, commencing mabundy Accounts received from the Collectors.

LANDS. 1857-58, 1858-59, 1859-60, 1860-61. Assess- Extent. Assess- | Extent. | Assess- Extent. | Assess- | Extent. | Assess- ment. ment. : ment. ment. ment. Rupees.| Acres. Rupees. Acres. |Rupees.| Acres. |Rupees.| Acres. | Rupees.

4,124| 2,689 3,546 | 2,592| 3,368) 3,523 5,315| 2,955} 3,425 4,791 869 4,423 889| 4,347 918 | 4,707} 1,047| 4,699 7,585| 2,492 5,266 | 2,688] 4,821|§ 5,227 | 8681] 4,649) 6,409 7,142 5,456 5,133 6,856| 6,639|> Kist. RP ocohi'| seisel 20 esti 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| 63,140 | 73,960 |1,01,648}1,19,514| 98,174 |1,14,736] 78,187] 93,167

67 30 50 24 35 23 42 360. Ba 5,789| 18,309 | 43,680 | 18,174; 42,085] 32,543 | 73,268] 34,686) 77,454 3,669| 2,361 3,671 | 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

ese

ose op ae 4: 6 4 6

65,828 |7,00,462 8,51,492| 7,11,359 |8,96,72816,95,501 |8 R

7,067,421! 5,93,671

}

SraremEnt showing the Cultivation of Cotton in the

INAM 1853-54, 1854-55. 1855-56. 1856-57, | DISTRICTS. : | Extent. | Assess- | Extent.} Assess- | Extent. | Assess-} Extent. ment. ment. ment. Acres. | Rupees.| Acres. | Rupees.} Acres. | Rupees.| Acres. 1 | Ganjam........... BS a oe 153 190 186 309 125 2 | Vizagapatam...... 91 521 118 625 124 578 132 3 | Rajahmundry... 512} 1,095 425 557} 1,000} 1,550 839 4 | Masulipatam......] ... ace 1,686; 2,114] 1,740] 1,964) 1,881 5 | Guntoor............ 42,139| 60,796} 34,754 53,941} 41,900) 52,858) 36,286 6 | Nellore ............+ 1,559} 2,491] 1,351; 1,700 849 922} 1,188 7 | Cuddapah.......... 25,338] 41,280] 27,090) 41,682] 25,277} 39,715] 30,857 S| Bellary. ..... cc. 0ic. 81,069|1,18,104| 62,262} 87,476] 50,564 72,754 1,09,650 9 | Kurnool............. 41,075| 8,671} 39,818] 11,421] 40,498 5 8,466 45,573 10 | Chingleput ....6...1: se. ei Se bay ca Beas ae 11 | North Arcot......] .. bids bee a5 5 10 3 | 12 | South Arcot....... 3 7 Ss if 15 1 13 | Tanjore.............. 178 bis 99) ss 65 & 99 14 | Trichinopoly...... 40 66 39 66 39 66} 1,898 15 | Madura...... eevee] 4,803] 9,335] 4,759} 9,069} 4,230} 8,095] 4,513 16 | Tinnevelly......... 2,983} 2,893| 2,926] 2,862] 2,577! 2,301] 1,879 17 | Coimbatore........ 8,904| 11,371] 9,358} 11,294] 11,749] 12,011] 9,739 18 | Salem......... ables out 41 106 17 30 13 19 48 19 Cariaracs.secssesee- a5 5 ins ve sis 20 | Malabar .........+.. 56 on 21 | Madras...........0 55 is se vs nis = Total... {208,873 2,56,756! 1,84, 855 2, 23,027 |1,50,898| 2,01,688 | 44,711

Vv

Districts of the Madras Presidency, &c.—(Continued.)

LANDS. 1857-58, 1858-59, 1859-60, 1860-61. Assess- Extent. Assess- | Extent. | Assess- | Extent. | Assess- | Extent. ; Assess- ment. ment. ment. ment. | ment. Rupees.| Acres. Rupees. Acres. |Rupees.| Acres. | Rupees.| Acres. ; Rupees. 161 134 308 67 114 122 153 78 99 768 182 1,008 223 1,139 246 1,343 275 1,488 Godvy. ‘5 2,310 585 961 1,035 1,504 1,861 2,788 2,247 3,138

2,988 1,079 1,453 | 1,568] 2,131] Kist. 41,411 | 61,104) 43,432| 61,213

50,595 | 39,909 | 55,400 | 42,122] 57,284 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

ose 200 200 200 200 300 200 ooo

9 2 6 5 9 i 5 5} 14 8 7 47 2 5 655 1,933 225 653 3,381 510 617 749| 1,311 1,098 1,538 915} 1,549

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

Ooo woe aoe poe eee ees

3,24,133 | 2,08,031 | 2,35,142 |2,24,052/2,61,053| 2,44,113 |2,51,966|2,45,200 |2,61,811 R 2

© > - NSE <> - Obese Stor he

md ©

11

SraTEMENT showing the Cultivation of Cotton in the

DisTRictTs.

GOAT AIM 2.008. cc cae Vizagapatam...... Rajahmundry...

Masulipatam...... Gumboor 3.2722 INGHOFE 32 ness: Cuddapah.......... eae 2. 5is0d. lee:

Chingleput........ North Arcot...... South Arcot....... Pay ORe 035,55. Trichinopoly...... Madura) 2.2. 35.2.5- Tinnevelly .........

Coimbatore........

Camaras...c..ecec. Malabar ............

Maras) .cii.cccc8

Total...

ZEMINDARY

Ee ED

1853-54. 1854-55. 1855-56. 1856-57.

Extent. | Assess- | Extent.| Assess- | Extent. | Assess-| Extent. ment. ment. ment.

Acres. | Rupees.| Acres. | Rupees.| Acres. | Rupees.| Acres.

1,211} 2,671 10 28| 2,345] 4,673] 1,407 4,247| 30,289] 3,959] 30,104] 3,960] 29,897] 4,066 2,912| 6,569| 4,248] 9,790] 3,765] 8,823] 3,453

pi az 468} 190} 731

6,885! 6,396] 8,390} 7,641] 9,816) 8,449) 9,196

58 119 60 101 77 142) ... 7 1 1 31 ° : i 4 28 71 3 658] ... 489+ g.. 308; ue 312 7 20 ose

39,572| 51,251] 39,890] 53,630] 16,266| 21,971| 36,444 6,821| 8,495} 6,777} 8,406] 7,492] 9,046] 47,580 1,819} 3,612] 1,610] 3,380| 1,714] 2,948] 897 6,529 10,073] 6,174| 8,980] 4,81] 7,417/ 611

70,719|1,19,495! 71,618|1,22,068| 51,121] 93,628| 1,04,731]

Vil

Districts of the Madras Presidency, &e.—(Continued.)

LANDS. 1857-58, 1858-59, 1859-60. 1860-61, Assess- Extent. Assess- | Extent. | Assess- | Extent. | Assess- | Extent. | Assess- ment. ment. ment. ment. ment. Rupees.| Acres. Rupees. Acres. ;Rupees.| Acres. | Rupees. | Acres. | Rupees.

3,261 2,174 4,797 | 1,427| 3,164] 1,124 | 3,057| 1,645) 4,194 31,455 4,363 | 32,240 | 3,998] 28,949] 5,572 | 29,096] 3,473] 27,040

? Godvy. 8,140 3,436 8,841 2,890| 7,506| § 5,657 12,682 5,761} 10,970 284 1,151 521 1,303 907 | >) Kist. } 1,278 6556 i La iD 475

7,700 8,243 7,052 8,224] 7,780 8,933 7,009} 8,865| 7,945

70 35 79 25 56 31

“I

ooe

50,313 | 36,719 | 50,665 | 39,079| 53,193] 38,449 | 53,887| 43,165] 62,020 58,561 | 69,151 | 73,428 | 56,022] 59,648] 52,806 | 56,200) 49,168] 49,309 1,846 897 1,846 | 2,243} 3,538} 2,301 | 3,730] 1,535| 2,809

1,366 4,279 | 7,401 | 1,998) 4,207} 65,019 | 7,186] 5,134) 7,467

ee ° e °

e

e

——$— --- -—

1,63,001 | 1,30,482 ! 1,86,870 |1,17,209 |1,68,94 ee 1,74,076|1,19,857

Vill

STATEMENT showing the Cultivation of Cotton in the

1853-54, 1854-55. 1855-56. 1856- DisTRICTS, Extent. | Assess- | Extent.} Assess- | Extent. | Assess-} Extent. ment. ment. ment. Acres Rupees. | Acres. | Rupees. | Acres. | Rupées.} Acres. 1 | 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 3 | Rajahmundry 4,904) 11,257 8,921; 19,651} 8,224) 17,352) 7,762 4} Masulipatam... 7,814] 8,881] 9,454 9.5241 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 B'| ubellary 23 t: 2,13,654| 2,75,013 |1,66,840, 2,14,254 1,24,108 | 1,61,868 | 2,60,577 2 | uurnoelc.t2..: 1,07,098| 84,819|1,04,459) 84,176]1,00,237| 75,401/1,16,408 10 | Chingleput..... an ‘al aia 2 8 1 11 | North Arcot...| ... aes 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............. 13,808} 21,743] 13,799} 20,932] 10,491] 16,004} 11,900 19 |. Canara... .....5.:.3 20 | Malabar ......... eg 21 .| Madras:....c.csoch coe ns ee ae Total......18;65,881 | 11,35, 520 18,28, 935 | 10,0 401 |7,74,576| 9,64,708| 9,58,07

TAL.

Assess- ment.

Extent.

Rupees. 7,546 37,014 18,035 10,414

Acres. 4,997 5,414 6,513 7,686

1,43,763|1,02,835 15,922] 11,106

1,17,437] 64,012

4,06,011 |2,03,139 87,846 |1,01,071

3 146 67

| 5,802] 18,316

8,609

12,115

2,444 5,430 1,09,763| 74,583 1,58,747|1,94,850 1,00,832} 1,13,663

1857-58,

Assess- ment.

Rupees.

8,651 37,671 15,068

7,107

1,51,361 10,839

1,00,262

250,183 82,401

135 43,727 3,671 9,000

1,21,752

1,90,958

1,29,125

19,489 = 25,929

12,54,554|9,32,180 | 11,87,840|10,41,723 | 12,81,493 | 10,76,642

1858-59,

Extent.

Acres. 4,086 5,110 6,613 9,727

1,18,318

11,975 36,712 242,299 1,65,393 54 18,176 1,756 5,873 75,818 1,94,890 1,31,711 13,212

Assess- ment.

Rupees. 6,646 34,435 13,831 9,677 1,78,006 12,992 56,289 2,69,360 1,60,231

100 42,090 2,632 10,034 1,22,037 1,91,085 1,49,769 22,229

4

13,22,770

10,60,557

1859-60. 1860-61. Extent. | Assess- | Extent. | Assess- ment. ment. Acres. Rupees. Acres. | Rupees. 4,769 8,525 4,678 7,718 6,736 35,146 4,794| 33,177 Godvy. 12,745 24,151| ,12,657| 20,517 Kist.

} 1,31,138 | 1,96,596| 1,24,855| 1,85,888 13,203 12,760| 18,729) 13,806 33,367 53,9938} 25,920} 31,420

2,85,486 | 2,98,316| 2,82,673| 2,95,344

1,52,325 | 1,31,294| 1,32,553| 1,28,183|

59 120 41 71 39,198 75,201] 34,911} 78,107 1,036 1,356 576 793 5,796 9,483 5,634| 10,228 77,159 ; 1,26,143|} 81,250} 1,352,751

1,84,325 | 1,74,951| 1,88,342| 1,81,615

1,20,086 | 1,52,254) 1,32,233| 1,42,639 15,214 22,470) 15,707; 24,042

W,. HUDLESTON, Secretary Board of Revenue,

IT.

STATEMENT showing the Average Assessment per Acre of Dry Lands in each District of the Presidency, prepared from the Settlement Returns for 1859-60.

ba Districts eat eran | eee | Rs. | As 1 3d £ 8 d TRIBE Lo a naa a be Pe eae he At eee ie el | t) 3) ey ee | 53 2 | Wagar aMabaa \ acdc. .0.g5usiee eee oh ecu | 3) 15 184) Oe aes 2 | Godavery District cag.J5iic cccictencs buscesswe | 2| 13 ; te, OP BBs 4 | Kristna District ........... UA Gn del yon eee | Bs es : 8 || 0 | 2 | 113 BOINCUGRG 0c. Cee cheeses tte bear otenacee A BA Oe ee Gi Oa aa 5. 2ocatsct gu. eee seed ktoeuee 0 | 11 | 10 |) Oc" Pac ae a) elaey 2c. 2d eo ees Bee Of a en ee Slciatieel st eeste ai, ee. 0) 15 : 10 || o} 1 | 13 OY a) AWiarras io ee ere Oe eee a | oda | On: Spear 10 | North Arcot........4....+¢ MSE ene pte nde ee ! 9 || O} 2 | 103 11 | South Arcotesci.:.:..u crore mate ¥') 43 | 4 Oto) af a2) 5| Wennjome sid coeeceetaens eae, oe ee ee Edie | 7|| O} 2) 3% 13 | Trichinopoly............:..0 oO eS AE, 1 | 13 | 6} OTs PAG MARES, 5. so cececcaaeactcdere etnies saeawreens 1) 5] 64) Oy 295 ss ish) Mneyeily, 6) Ain who seth eee 01 13 | OMh OY St age 16] Coimbatore icthi.-k.iiccivsose See ueauee O-| 14] Oa) OF ag ae 17.4 Spilermn... 2... Aa Gene ees ae soa dee fa} aos | of 8508

* The Government assessment on the three Districts of Ganjam, Vizagapatam, and Godavery, does not include the Zemindaries, which constitute in Ganjam

a Vizagapatam the largest, and in the Godavery a very large, part of the Jistrict.

fr aoe,

5. eee te ' . ry se pla: vy a Poy i" Y : . on Sam ears « Te dees el a Ee ye cialis 54 Ki oy 5 i , oe s Dal ’ ; ORs = te } aw * Wie ‘ aE a Ps } ’ ig ; ‘ wud : t 1 c ad He vs] 4 a pena Fs ; . a ‘rt 4 , h A . ‘ " if : ? y ewe, | Py z g ft . Moe, oe ee

Ae

a

a

Ss acai eeteie e

“

“Te

~

ne

—

\

Mapes

an

25cuiee es ee ae

DISTRICTS.

Se

: | _ |

Wellore..:..... {

| Per 500 lbs. |Guntoor...... { | (Kristna) (Per 25 lbs. Per 500 lbs. Cuddapah... Per 25 lbs. Kurnool....... Per 25 lbs. | Bellary Sees Per 25 lbs. Madura ...... Per 25 lbs. : Per 500 Ibs. Coimbatore... { Per 25 lbs.

| . Per 500 Ibs.| £4 14s. to £5 ieee! ar fer 25 lbs. ssead to 55.

Per 500 lbs. Per 25 lbs.

TTI.

AVERAGE PRICE AT WHICH IT IS SOLD BY THE RYOTS.

Average price of Cotton freed from seed at the

With Advances. Without Advances.

principal mart or marts of the district. Cleaned | Uncleaned| Cleaned | Unclean- Cottun. Cotton. Cottun. |ed Cotton Rs Te £8. 4.2 3. ee | | | | 0418 10 3:9 |0 4 0 (0 S23 eta | 219 0 (21 12/1018 22a |0 15 0 0 2112 |o0 2 7210 0 8 |0 21033|0 09 > 4 6 0 - |310 01 2 0 [2465034 40 | | 0 4 355 i 3.6 |0 1-1,,|0-3 e012. | 0 3 38 (0 3. 22:0 0 32 e)a5ne eee 03.42. /0 2 oh eee athe oe 6 fa ey 2 | : | Pee ee Wa fl Bese snasecese, | eee ae | | ¥ 316) 5 lbs., or aboutls 1id. per 25 lbs 411 83 | scone) 1 OR eee - 10 29 047 | cen 013.4 eae 40 0/1 2 0 [414 0 [1 4 Os 04 0/0 113/0 4 813/012

Cost of Cleaning.

sere oe eseeosae

4 ¥ 2 (Uncleaned. )

0 6 i's

0 0 Paes eee, )

03 4

6... Oy 2 5 (Uncleaned.)

0:0 1 j (Uncleaned.)

—

0 4102

per 243 lbs. of cleaned cotton, or about 6d. per 25 but this is more than met by the value of the},

lbs.;

seed. Ora

oor aie

X11

Expense of convey- ance to the nearest port of shipment for every ten miles.

Average Produce per acre.

B syd | ¢ 111 Ibs. 113 oz. oe Be (Uncleaned.) 00 O15 ie 233 Ibs. 2 oz. Spas (Uncleaned.) 00 2s 017 3 by bandy and | 200 lbs. 16.48), 9 (Uncleaned.) by bullocks. 0 01035 13 112 lbs. 8 oz. Pere (Uncleaned.) 01 9 46 lbs. 5 oz. to Coompta. (Cleaned. ) 0 6 0 316 Ibs. 12 oz.

6s. 6d. in rains (Uncleaned.) per cart-load or 4 bales of 2432 lbs. each; or 13d. per ae Ibs. to ‘Mutico- Rial D3 ah a oR a BC nl pee ee 13 110 lbs. Oe 316 (Uncleaned.) 012. 0, 75 lbs. (Cleaned.)| 122,391 0 0 TIF 300 Ibs.

(Uncleaned.)

. EXTENT OF LAND IN

ent. | 137,391

ACRES. - Capable of Under cul- 2 . tivation. Dre 596 — 47,299 102,646 21 a 79,562 219,587 ! 19,881 75,481 260,060 400,000 48,747 60,747 including Ramnad and She- vagunga. 97,830 {not speci- fied but to a great ex-

“=m

X1V

IV.

STATEMENT of Cotton Exported from the several ports of the Madras Presidency to Horeign and Indian Ports. From 1847-48 to 1860-61.

_ 2

| Quantity in Value in : R

1847-48, Ibs s.

1, Fort St. GEoRGE to United Kingdom............... 1,993,712 215,321 % OSV LOM s...; «ces bese oeacte eee 531,664 57,420 sh 3 V1 Jr ee eRe ee 1,544,144 166,768 ie WEATIGE 5.0320. 55cce, ee 1,436 129 a. Penang, Singapore, and Malacea...0.cs25504s8 oe 130,256 14,088 A. Indian French Ports......... 256,368 17,279 Poral.e..2 | 4,457,600 470,985 2. RAJAHMUNDRY to Penang, Singapore, and WEalaeCa.. fos: ee cece 2,841 554 Bs BOUL AL 2. coset ees 7,828 627 35 Indian French Poris......... 200 16 -: CR So cetiy. «2 eeken teens esas eee 1,078 210 Total...... 11,947 1,407 5. TANJORE 40° -Geyloniiic eo eee 150 6 55 Penang, Singapore, and Weala@eaicissi 2.5 -edecgeerss 10,919 1,625 eet Total... | 11,069 1,631 4, TINNEVELLY to United Kingdom............... 960,900 134,526 ai Oey loin. ce. 2iceernccnce eae ee 8,141 1,139 eS OT CIR: Seceoes esas sa 4,066,450 692,810 a, Indian French Ports......... 154,000 21,560 is EVAN ANICOLGsjooses cscs cs ccs 4,275 599 Total. = 5,193,768 850,634 5. MALABAR to United Kingdom............... 193,134 | 31,774 09 Maldive Isiands................ 1,531 252 = Mauritius and Bourbon..... 16,702 3,103 aS POMMIGY co ice acne tees dae 148,434 30,523 a5 ST rAaWwAaTIGOre: (.0.0.g0sotes eee es 8,536 1,540

ee ee eee rene eee

Rata. 368,337 67,197

me 8 er a EE

1847-48.—Continued. oe EI

Quantity in lbs.

Value in Rs.

ame Co re

6. CANARA Feo MERU Re toc neyo 14,345,052 | 1,305,629 9» CPCAVIDWCOV Ciyencessscvedesseescee sy 59,320 4,432 Total.....: 14,404,372 | 1,310,061

1843-49, lee in Nene in

1, Fort 8t. GEorGE to United Kingdom............... 500,196 63,193 9 (OE COP a era RR 359,080 35,938

e Penang, Singapore, and

EAC CAs sana sadodeocttine +0 446.778 50,622

fs 1 FS) O12 LIN ea a ea ee 25,209 2,565

os Indian French Ports.......... 186,479 14,260

otal... 1,517,742 166,579

2. MASULIPATAM to Bengal ..........06... Total..:... 31,049 2,298 3. TINNEVELLY to United Kingdom............... 2,190,239 306,641 a WEWNOM dads cesceedarvascnterce«s> 6,562 919

s Gina ee ee 7,442,463 | 1,041,945

oe Indian French Ports......... 414,075 57,971 Total... 10,053 ,339 | 1,407,476

4, MALABAR to United Kingdom............... 343,293 70,603 45 Maldive Islands ........0....+ 964 194

iy Mauritius and Bourbon 1,180 243

i SOMO. ok cosas eco: 1,096,659 925,053

on PY AVAMCOLC. iio. cy dedsccssacndesine 75,990 11,943 Total..... ; 1,518,086 308,036 5. CANARA G01. OMG AWR nonce. wecdavedertaciens 4,908,486 390,338 % PAVANCOEC es sencecssdseeyoasns ows 20,222 1,409 Total...... 4,928,708 | 391,747

tity in | Value in 1849-50, me =

1. ForT ST. GEORGE to United Kingdom............... 2,718,488 256,882

39 DUS cance sicceusees<esseeeee 591,325 47,963

“ enc ag emer s ~ 15,000 1,350

Mis Penang, Singapore, an

j cic 117,900 10,321

2 | BYE) faa?) ae ae 1,640,700 153,393

ry) Indian French Ports.......... 431,072 38,173

Totahans: 5,514,485 | - 508,082.

2, RAJAHMUNDRY HO” SBENea oo oos.eckces Total...... | 24,380 | 1,821

3. MASULIPATAM 10 Bengal... .cvccecien Total. | 60,992 | 4,548 4, SOUTH ARCOT to

. TANJORE

cr

oD

. MADURA

7. TINNEVELLY 33 33

8. MALABAR

9. CANARA

to

to

to

to

XV1

United Kingdom. Total... 210,000 | 29,400

Penang, Singapore, and

Malacea.. csc eee 11,500 1,646 Ga tas ee eae

Ceylon... Total... | 57,604 | 12,104

United Kingdom.............. . | 1,988,125 208,338

Ceylom nce. Sverre 150,425 21,059

Chinas. eae |. 7,085,143 991,920 j ee eee

Total...... 9,223,693 | 1,221,317 EERE RES IIS OT ay

United Kingdom............... 109,410 22,130

Maldive Islands................. 720 148

Mauritius and Bourbon..... 9,340 1,561

BomOF 7 os 3<<.e-cscsseansuecsaie ee 231,590 47,632

TYAVANCOTE.osaehe5l geese 24,080 3,076

Total...... 375,140 74,547

Bombay ........ sue, Pe eveee 21,949,074 | 2,252,650

XVH

1850-51.

1. FoRTST. GEORGE to United Kingdom............... ys LESITTC trys PON % PE Maeno cs suave escn eds bs Penang, Singapore, and Mg 311 S07 NS alee meee BE Eee een soc aria ce cavcneass a Indian French Ports......... Total... 2. MASULIPATAM LO) -Beneal so .coscsccccee. Total: ..... 3. TINNEVELLY to United Kingdom.............. ; we CEVIOM. Aessecssesnsais amie also “ SUT a eee

33 Total... 4. MALABAR to United Kingdom............... ys Maldive Islands............... es Mauritius and Bourbon..... hs HES OTMNOAN ce sno csessuades oonras ss. .05 bs PNEANAME OVE scisescsccesatscovesnsy's Votals:..2 5. CANARA BO Arai Gillet, &. 5152 cstesecseeole $3 PSOMLD AY. can52 (50. conse oeeenes Totals...

1851-52,

1, FoRT ST. GEORGE to United Kingdom............... pe IST tae eines Sek a aa ae eer 5 (BGANGe io et Ih ee cose canst Penang, Singapore, and ie DES: VC Gs er eet ae a ay is e217 | ae rea i aie Bn Indian French Ports.......... Total:.:.\..

2. MASULIPATAM

Quantity in Value in ‘Ibs. Rs. 5,010,290 575,144 5,426,850 651,501 256,900 38,367 299,400 32,670 1,363,500 171,425 182,462 22,301 12,538,402 1,491,408 | 43,728 4,189 3,646,639 510,529 679,525 91,134 3,728,500 521,990 8,054,664 1,127,653 380,960 77,749 + 123 7,600 1,571 177,920 36,314 14,231 2,159 581,350 117,916 2,216 270 23,960,244 3,081,354 | 23,970,460 3,081,624 Quantity in Vatue in lbs. Ss 1,804,950 196,637 3,672,203. 367 ,963 48,000 5,709 1,331,100 145,457 900,800 99,086 300,507 30,505 8,057,560 845,357 56,878 4,550

to Belial jicrsvccetes.e POtal: 0.0

XV

1851-52.—Continued. ae eee

3. TINNEVELLY to United Kingdom..........0... 2,476,450 346,703 2 (2 [Lo Ly baked a eR ee 0a 361,834 50,657

ES REET F 2 RACINE Rea Sf 6,980,950 977,333 “ Penang, Singapore, and WicilaeCai.. $ss-.22s0se-cvacee 237,700 33,278

at BOMB ons eee 32,100 4,454

3 Indian a eneh Ports. .238. 45,000 6,300 Total...... 10,134,034 1,418,765

4, MALABAR to United Kingdom............... 350,98 72,064 a Maldive Islands ts 730 138

& Mauritius and Bourton..... 6,300 1,296

_ Bombay cae 929,740 191,215

a PP PAVANCOMC ssav ewe ecccscouewenees 29,092 3,570 Totals 1,316,842 268,283

5. CANARA fo . Arabian Gall.nc awkiee 22,323 2,126 » Bonibay....2e cae 15,767,616 | 1,496,136 Total oe 15,793,938 1,498,262

mo. Quantity in Value in

1852-53. Ths pe.

1. Forr St. GEORGE to United Kingdom............... 11,184,613 | 1,140,580 ”° hina nosis 'wisjnin Bletare Ws eicic eater a eee 3,251,700 274,841 eS Penang, Singapore, and

Malacca Wa ic wieleietale;s oie eieinlannle aes 344,575 33,982

ss Benealls (3 ue 834,423 90,887

43 Indian French Ports... 604,823 59,371

Total...... | 16,220,134 | 1,599,661

2, VIZAGAPATAM to United Kingdom eeasedecneeete 13,577 1,237 6 Hensal tes et eee 7,035 640 Total...... | 20,612 1,877

3. SouTH ARCOT to United Kingdom.............. : | 66,000 9,240

X1X

. Quantity in | Valuein 1852-53.—Continued. eid nn 4, TINNEVELLY to United Kingdom............... 4,863,007 680,821 st Seman ee er 1,266,875 177,362 # CO ee 9,774,402 | 1,370,437 is Penang, Singapore, and JTS eH 305,300 42,714 3 EP SRSOPE NE ee eee oan vale rt obs 44,350 6,209 ee Indian French Poris.......... 45,112 6,300

aa

Total...... | 16,299,046 | 2,283,843

5. MALABAR to United Kingdom............... 448,000 86,839

os J G7) 2107 ie es ane 31,944 6,871

a Maldive Islands................. 1,440 237

- Mauritius and Bourbon..... 1,512 296

4 oui eee 2,352,000 420,167

45 SOG TS ea eee eee 880 145

a IP PAVAE COLE: sc. 02060 cosvcecassesees 55,200 9,010

Total... 2,893,976 523,565

6. CANARA CORA er Uo 071 eee 34,272 | 3,404

és SETTLE aa ie Pe aod ate 40,511,917 | 4,241,369

i Op) ETA AMC OTE. - 920 cea-cceeecsmee === 22,041 2,112

otal. 2: 40,568,230 | 4,246,885

1853-54, Quantity in | vVatue in

lbs Rs.

1, Fort St. GeorGE to United Kingdom............... 4,009,526 465,991 | 3 Penang, Singapore, and

1 CAC To ee eee ee ae 146,100 17,464

oe Lor) BG ee eed eer eae nearer 323,200 34,457

5 Indian French Ports.......... 207,300 20,007

Total...... 4,686,126 537,919

2. TINNEVELLY to United Kingdom............... 4,471,850 626,059

a Ceylon. ge An ieee: 693,408 96,077

2 (Oe eee ee 2,480,400 347,256

> Indian French Ports.......... 59,250 8,295

| Total...... 7,704,908 | 1,077,687

s

1853-54.—Continued.

3. MALABAR to United Kingdom............... “a Avahian Gulf. ......-...scceeee fe (QOPMIAIY, <6... oss ca eee es Maldive Islands................. a BST... a. 20 ocean occa eee Ss OI 2h) ee emp SE - CON oo ses nasal ac cee BG Indian French Ports.......... . PLAVANCOL EC... sccss0k cscs

Total......

4. CANARA 40 “Arabian Gulf... eee

e DOMDBY.-issscacerdte ce eee Total... 1854-55. 1. Fort 81. GEorGE to United Kingdom............... a Penang, Singapore, and Maletedecc.4.: oe eae es Benwal.. cS oe eee Ba Bombayen.cc. eee BS Indian French Ports ......... Total 2s 2. TINNEVELLY to United Kingdom............... . CEVIOR SE en ee 3 Chiaic..6 csc 5 Penang, Singapore, and Malaccas.o.cic ee ee 2 Bonibay.:..1 Lee 3 Indian French Ports......... 99 Travancore .....c.sccles Crocco

Toral.cs

ee ee

Quantity in

lbs

1,602,505

1,081,000 752,250 30,000 41,100

3,506,855

6,351,930 1,038,977 1,711,500

985,500

| 10,343,005

—<

Quantity in | Valuein ~ Ibs. Rs. 222,608 45,778

3,200 659 97,360 20,023 1,338 275 1,457,410 299,477 2,440 372

980 202 1,365 146 63,420 7,159 1,850,121 374,091 60,428 5,071 17,024,259 1,790,614 17,084,687 1,795,685

Value in Rs.

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

—

1,436,356

XX1

1854-55.—Continued.

Quantity in Value in Ibs. Rs,

3. MALABAR to United Kingdom............... 51,600 10,085 ie AME ae elpce dons +e esledscanisathes 32,400 6,664 os Maldive Islands................ 460 95 a MEM s ie oe aouic aise vaseeetasedan 5,880 1,209 * Oe ccinc cs seen se ter rmccens 2,200 453 PP PAVATICOLC 5... 02.0.0 -sccnevacees 31,688 5,511 Total... 124,228 24,017 4. CANARA ba Arabia Gat sccas. -scteteeseates 25,439 2,287 ” MAGNE tas Moodaewancicevs och a8 45,202 3,937 ” Gb OCTS TN) Ta eine he ene ee 12,804,666 | 1,289,207 Total...... 12,875,307 1,295,431 1855-56. Quantity in Value in lbs. Rs. 1. Fort St. GEORGE to United Kingdom............... 1,810,600 163,486 3 06 1G aaR ee Pe ee ee aN 54,000 6,000 = Penang, Singapore, and WMistaeeaeS. ccteetecees a 571,425 54,752 Pe 2 | Reap | RR RRS PBA 215,900 30,084 Total...... 2,651,925 254,322 2. TINNEVELLY to United Kingdom.............. 5 2,848,516 398,804 3 WENO Re sore ouince suastenenese 1,200,146 168,126

is Penang, Singapore, and NDQIACCAicstccccedscechestncce 480.607 67,284 39 OWN A iain oettes Staso seve ete caus 430,200 60,228 ” PEF AVAMC OLE roe ancesarancere 250 35 Totals, 4,959,719 694,477 &. MALABAR to United Kingdom............... 133,272 26,706 0 Wey lOU ree ees cose aceackexts 46,800 7,700 a Paes ere ee see coche og 1,800 370 i Maldive Iislands................. 1,250 257 %9 IBONMOAY 25 -scesi is AGP E aE Renee 352,120 72,418 3 IPVAVAUIROL Cs inchivce users ssewecee 6,960 1,348 Total...... 542,202 108,799

San anEE NER SREREEERREEEEEEEEeREnEiEeeeeEEe ee

XXll

1855-56.—Continued.

4. CANARA to . Arabian Guill....10..53.cicaas 3 BS QUAI os n seks esn ene as (Boe AC A Ae

Total...... 3 1856-57. 1, Fort ST. GEORGE to United Kingdom............... =. TAMCO To ook ce ee ee a Hambure 80 Soe oe ie Penang, Singapore, and Wa laeGa:... 0.2. " Bene Aal. 4 sibs vacevinnreeles Pofalce cc. 2, TINNEVELLY to United Kingdom............... = Geylon.:. 0.022000... eee “A 6] 7b: Sener mer yb bio: nt Hotands: ices ie ae ee me Penang, Singapore, and Malworainc2)..co- secs & Indian French Ports......... Potalis.... 3. MALABAR to United Kingdom............... 3 Arajian (Galt 2:2 Seo a es me Maldive Islands................. 2 Bonita cc ee ee 95 Conmenncn 5 bo See 3 Trayaneore.. .. <0... see Total...... 4. CANARA to. Bombay..i<:...:, Total.

Quantity in | Valuein lbs. Rs.

1,148 120 12,858,356 1,463,611 114 22 12,859,618 1,463,753 Quantity in Value in lbs. Rs. 6,190,844 722,006 5,999 720 69,000 8,625 3,299 550 563, 500 78,098 6,832,642 809,999 13,287,731 1,865,952 2,404,200 336,588 1,003,200 140,448 240,000 33,600 229,500 32,130 127,125 17,797 17,291,756 | 2,426,515 118,727 22,842 "41 0 82 436 74 1,065,218 216,358 982 191 5,920 1,218 1,191,693 240,765 3,745,007-

| 28,671,974

XXI111 1857-58, Quantity in | Valuein lbs. Rs.

1. Fort St. GEORGE to United Kingdom............... 5,533,100 707,188 pe 5 ES cate a a 1,655,300 219,439 ins PEPENS OD acne ce cefonnccsneces owe 55,500 6,978

% Penang, Singapore, and JWG EC oe 102,300 16,243 %» Nei sce spe ienaneeode 1,887,508 | 267,145 Total cx: 9,233,708 | 1,216,993 2, VIZAGAPATAM BLY Ps CM EN wcctes nciacrehe Sh oslavauer ease 4,929 3,110 3. RAJAHMUNDRY to United Kingdom............... 202,800 26,734 5 PATE greene eee ccne ae shesess 0s 5,100 888 bs HST ores once. veasecineters te vaech: 18,456 2.128 Total... 226,356 29,750 4, MASULIPATAM “iF5 jg 5/2) 0) A ee Total...... | 31,500 3,690 5. NELLORE Dh SOME S eicoe) ce vo) Vibes Sesion | 24,887 | 2,716 6. TINNEVELLY to United Kingdom............... 4,646,846 650,538 ss DEVON se se irsits. juees aso kes 1,928,503 269,990 SEE ab ne ibn ee aa 651,600 91,224 3 ARBOR Ee os cA. cic oedeewesaeseeselre 2,586,000 362,040 a AANIR UTES 25335. aso cate ote tect anne 351,000 49,140 5 HEL OUIAIIOL 5 occ hosscPontareeneew co. 425,000 59,500

4 Penang, Singapore, and 1.) Ei Fore ee nao: ool ee 48,902 6,846 Fe Indian French Ports........- 525,390 73,542 ” PTAVAMEOVE:.<.cc-b erases eetiatsan 696,000 97,440 Total...... 11,859,239 | 1,660,280 7. MALABAR to United Kingdom............... { 98,293 19,653 m (ErAMC ee ree ebadene 14,194 2,838 os Maldive Islands................. 164 33 iy LTC} OF i (Cophak: AOARnA Ser ase nnn 147,282 29,438 2 PTAVAMCOL seni rcs cecccenvebenses 2,305 461

eee ee |

Total...... 262,237 52,423

XX1V

Liey * Quantity in Value in 1857-58.—Continued. em he. 8. CANARA . to United Kingdom............... 862,226 134,542 ” Bombay ndnSoosaddebsaasha ender soo5 32,474,317 5,668,220 Total...... 33,336,543 | 5,802,762 2 Quantity in Value in 1B08-60. lbs. Rs. 1. Fort St. GEORGE to United Kingdom............... 33,000 5,340 zs Bene ail oc... cis tanec eee 5,528,096 957,321 Ss Indian French Ports......... 57,300 9,172 Total...... 5,618,396 | 971,833

2, VIZAGAPATAM to Bengal .s..ic<cc . Totalss-c. 246 25 3. RAJAHMUNDRY to United Kingdom............... 46,500 7,668 4s BONA socks skescaee eee 50,100 7,014 Motels 96,600 14,682

4, TINNEVELLY to United Kingdom............... | 6,177,550 865,046 53 Ceylome.cicsc5ssiuee pee | 1,634,800 228,872

- Chana eck sce ee 3,596,400 503,496

-: PPanGe..pevcchoctise ue eens 2,386,500 334,110

a BONG aha sacs ster aaa one 351,600 49,224

a Indian French Ports......... 221,536 31,022

a Travancore ......... aaanaeateenne 19,250 2,695 Total...... | 14,387,636 | 2,014,465

SS

5. MALABAR to United Kingdom............... 14,105 } 2,820 Pe Maldive Islands................ 328 66 % POWAY 03.505. cs.3 cere 732,690 146,556 ‘3 CONCH 2.. hone 2,467 494, a AP VAVATICOLE. ci scoseczuaeee es 5,922 1,184

Total...... 755,512 151,120

XXV

Poy ety : Quantity in Value in 1858-59.—Continued. ibs. =,

6. CANARA to United Kingdom............... 161,198 26,068

93 Ava var Gavte iin cec8 vec isesebace 1,894 308

ee ROMO AN dee didass oa cgcvasasbalctesne 17,571,060 2,939,401

Total...... 17,734,152 | 2,965,777

aie ae 1859-60. arene in ae in 1. Fort St. GEORGE to United Kingdom............... 3,104,368 456,886 99 1 Rice eee om hn ee 465,600 63,007

, Penang, Singapore, and

ATCT op nn ae ee ie 92,700 16,108 3 18-75) 1127) or aes a a 4,136,900 725,056 Indian French Ports.......... 160,800 25,428 Total...... 7,960,368 1,286,485 2. VIZAGAPATAM to Bengal ............ Totals... | 40,758 | 7,832 3. GODAVERY HOd UB PANCOs...502500h0 Total.:;... | 3,000 | 360 4. KRISTNA to -Bengal.......00034 Total...... | 198,670 | 15,913 5. NELLORE to Bengal....... a dae Total... | 21,075 | 2,300 6. TINNEVELLY to United Kingdom............... 13,532,022 | 1,901,824 9 Coy lO eros 2 20 alu bpeeeninels vi 907,977 127,834 30 LO) S000 Poke eatin een) Ree nits tea 1,120,516 203,034 is Pvranertnstceute sheds coksasccens’s 1,074,444 150,766 z : Holland oi 785,509 110,040 Beneal pice ee ae 1,027,532 144,186 29 Tauter Brench) Ports...4. 15 114,546 16,117 Total...... | 18,562,516 2,748,801 7. MALABAR to United HSngdour Re Aare Wises 26,450 4,486 99 Maldive Islands.. ke 164 26 99 Omid fi 2ccssapeesesocesatercase 2,424,141 484,710 99 TV AVANCOLC seid cscivcdns seen s-ees 10,857 ° 2,171 Total... 2,461,612 491,393

8. CANARA to Bombay........... Total...... 33,254,498 | 5,049,(51

XXV1

1860-61.

1. Fort St. GEORGE to United Kingdom............... oe CNatindives o,f adi t.ho Sone ee A AU PAHOE reeset lt. ocoet ear ue Penang, Singapore, and MEAIAECCD, 2. oc cccccecenseneatee a (BYer | 7) anes c - eo s CNMTAL ONG... |. .c.2ecckeeceeeeeee = Indian French Ports.......... Total...... 2. GANJAM to Bengal............. Totals... 3. VIZAGAPATAM to Beneale..icasez es Total...... 4. RAJAHMUNDRY. to United Kingdom............... ms HAAR 5, 255.5 hee sede lence * } E-Cer A 121] RARE aera ae 55 Indian French Ports.......... e MGW 2 is. ewe cee ee Toial......

5. MASULIPATAM to: Benealc:..csvsc, Total... 6. TINNEVELLY to United Kingdom.............. Bs Ceylon seccrie eae eee fe Cn Ya acc Fee aes sce ncemnaeees = Bengalis sicshicvci eee eee

38 Tadian French Ports..

Total...... 7. MALABAR to United Kingdom............... i Maldive Islands................. a Mauritius and Bourbon..... BOM WAY ani deseeps ie -besppnntoeeen Total...... 8, CANARA GO BOM i vacisciasnccsaseccseencee ses 39 Oa e@coeoce cr oeceoescoessess oer sesrel Total......

Quantity in | Valuein lbs. Rs. 6,065,919 774,814 768,800 103,953 983,700 106,812 36,000 4,800 3,190,610 421,577 8,725 687° 118,500 14,317 11,172,254 1,426,960 | 18;320 | 2,230

40,794 4,079 52,512 5,302 293,398 28,173 17,400 1,808 123 15 404,227 39,377 458,070 36,677 7,266,585 | 1,019,650 1,013,738 | 142,247 5,023,415 | 704,886 59,864 8,400 26,342 3,696 13,389,944 | 1,878,879 159,984 28,072 784 105 5,922 948 2,073,439 | 425,295 2,240,129 | 454,420 51,029,068 | 7,439,922 °312 48 51,030,380 | 7,489,870

XXV11

rN

No. 1.—Statement showing the Increase in the Cultivation

of Cotton m the United States.

eee 3 ee 1845- 6 2,100,537 422,597 1846- 7 1,778,651 427,967 1847- 8 2,347,634 B31, 772 1848- 9 2,728,896 518,039 1849-50 2,096,706 487,769 1850-51 2355, 251 404,108 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 8,851,081 760,218 1859-60 4,825,924 810,343 1860-61 3,866,000 843,740

The shipping season in America commences from the 1st September, and the above tables are made up from 1st September to 31st August.

* For the data furnished in this portion of the Appendix, the compiler is in- debted to R. A. Robinson, Esq., of Madras. ‘

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VI.

METEOROLOGICAL AVERAGES

Deduced from twenty years observations at the Madras

Observatory. Atmospheric | Mean | Wet Bulb Been i a)

duced to 22°. | rature. |mometer. ity

pe eee, | tempe tier- | point, || uytd- | all PANUALY ora..eossserees 29°997 75°3 69°5 66°6 76 0:96 ) Pebruary............. 29°970 76°9 70°9 68°0 75 0°25 “| Marchi... .ssecesseees 29:903 see | 746 | 72°0 76 «| 0742 J) 2 De a a 29°825 84°2 78°0 75'6 76 0°67 DVBED eel a eli cula ews 29°729 86°4 78'5 755 71 2°26 SUING oie do scies ses 29°698 86°5 771 73'3 66 1°73 ‘ ECO SRS elite ean 29°715 84°8 76°5 73'1 69 3°60 jAugust................ 29°75 | 83°8 76°6 73°7 72 4°37 | September........... 29°779 83°3 76°6 73°9 74 4°54 October............... 29°849 80°6 75'°9 74:0 81 | 11°37 November............ 29°932 77°6 72°5 70°2 79 12°73 _|December............ 29°977 75'°6 70°2 67°5 77 5°73 | PTATMUIG s dascascseaces 29'844: 81:3 747 71°9 75 48°63

The preceding table contains the mean or average results ‘of a series of hourly observations continued for twenty years, viz., from 1841 to 1861. The cistern of the Baro- meter is twenty-seven feet above the mean sea level. It appears upon inspection of the column of atmospheric pres- sure, that after being duly corrected to the usual standard temperature of 32° Fahrenheit, the Barometer reads highest

XXX1l

in January, and lowest in June; which are respectively the | coolest and hottest months in the year. As at all other tropical stations, the diurnal variations of the Barometer are here found to be so regular in their recurrence, that- there are very few days in the year on which the atmospheric tides | are not plainly discernible. The highest readings. occur about 93 a.m. The mercury then commences falling, and arrives at its lowest minimum a little before 4.~.m. The secondary Maximum and minimum occur during the night, | at 10 p.m. and 84 a. M. respectively, but are far less marked than those observed during the day. The greatest daily range occurs in March, and the least in December. The mean temperature, although somewhat higher at Madras than at many other parts of the Presidency, is subject to such small changes, that the severe extremes which else- where prove so prejudicial to health are never experienced.

The Dew Point, or Temperature at which rain would begin to fall if the air were suddenly cooled down thereto, does not rise and fall conformably to the temperature; for though its greatest depression below the Dry Bulb (18°°2), occurs during the hottest month, June, the least difference (6° 6) falls in October, when the temperature nearly agrees with the average of the whole year. The per-centage of Humidity changes but slightly; the average amount of | aqueous vapour in the atmosphere being exactly three- fourths of the whole quantity sustainable thereby. The average Rain-fall is deduced from observations extending over a period of fifty-two years, viz., from 1804 to 1807, and again from 1813 to 1860. The dryest year on record was 1832, when only 183 inches of rain were collected: the greatest quantity fell in 1827, when nearly 89 inches were recorded. In October, 1857, not less than 372 inches fell; while no shower occurred throughout the first five months of 1860. By summing up separate portions of this column, it will be found, that under ordinary circumstances only about a tenth part of the year’s rain falls during the first five months,. but a full half at the setting in of the N. HE. Mon- soon, in October and November. It is also worthy of re- mark, that, whereas in Europe a rain gauge placed on the ground invariably collects more than one elevated some

XXXill

forty or fifty feet, in India the case is reversed. The differ- ence is slight, but the upper gauge receives. more than the lower one.

As regards the Wind nothing very definite can yet be pronounced, in consequence of the imperfect instrumental registration employed, which has rendered the past observ- ations scarcely worthy of reduction. It is however certain that the prevalent notion as to the force of the wind in the tropics is a vastly exaggerated one, and that the daily average of pressure or velocity is much less than in England. The general laws as to direction are so strongly marked as to be evident to the most casual observer of natural phenomena. The north-east monsoon, heralded by heavy rain, sets in about the end of October, and blows pretty steadily, but not strongly except during accidental gales, until February. South and south-east winds prevail from then until May, in which month some of the most violent storms on record

_ have occurred. The long but mild four months’ reign of the

South-west monsoon then becomes fairly established. The scorching westerly or land winds, which blow in the fore- noon in May, are relieved by a refreshing sea breeze, which, commencing about noon, continues until evening. The gene-

: ral tendency of the wind when changing, is, to veer round _ 1n a direct order, i. e. following the course of the Sun, or

H.S. W. N. E. During rough or unsettled weather this order is reversed, being retrogade, or H. N. W.S. E.; and frequent instances might be adduced, when with calm fine weather at Madras, ram and stormy weather within one or two hundred miles distance, has been plainly indicated, by no other mark than a retrogade change in the direction of the wind.

N. RB. POGSON,

Government Astronomer.

XXXIV

WPd.

BEING A BRIEF REPORT UPON THE COTTON EXHIBITED AT }| THE MADRAS EXHIBITION OF 1859.

BY HOWARD B. MONTGOMERY, M.D., &c., REPORTER ON FIBRES.

At the request of Mr. Wheeler, and under the sanction of the Hon’ble Mr. Morehead, President of the Exhibition Committee, I have drawn up the following abstract from the | remarks on the Cotton Fibres examined by me as Reporter |) on the Fibres exhibited at the Madras Exhibition of 1859. |

The objects I purpose here displaying are :— (1.) The place of production of each specimen ; (2.) The name of the Exhibitor ; (3.) The quality of each specimen as to colour, strength, |) lustre, general preparation, and suitability for ex- port to England or elsewhere.

These appear to be the items which are or the greatest interest in connection with Mr. Wheeler’s labours, and I defer to a future opportunity other points of inquiry in con- nection with the general topic of Cotton Cultivation in this Presidency.

1 may premise that at the Exhibition of 1859 there were 42 Exhibitors who furnished 53 specimens of Cotton, as will be seen by the following tabular statements, in the prepar- — ation of which I was much assisted by my friend Dr. Hunt- er, Superintendent of the School of Arts.

Tt will be observed however that in the following tables there are three specimens of Si/k Cotton alluded to which do not properly come under further review at present. They appear only in consequence of their being meluded in the printed Catalogues of the Exhibition under the heading Gossypium Species. In them they were numbered 6470— 6497 and 6498.

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An analysis of the foregoing remarks will show that the following places were represented as supplying Cotton. Of the 53 specimens exhibited :— Salem supplied 8, of which one was Nankeen Cotton be- sides four foreign species.

Nagpore » 98, of which all were unfit for export. Chingleput ,, 6, including one specimen of thread. Trichinopoly ,, 3, & two foreign species.

Goa ,, 1, (uncleaned specimen) doubtful species. Vizianagram ,, 2, both unfit for export.

Madura ,, 10, including two good foreign varieties. Cuddapah », 2, indigenous species only.

Bellary » 2, one exotic, one native. ~

Paulghaut , -1, of doubtful character. Hyderabad ,, 4, of which one was exotic.

Guntoor » 2, eluding one good Nankeen. Raichore Dooab _ 5, : three of foreign species. Kurnool » 9, all indigenous.

Vizagapatam ,, 1, of native origin.

Total 53—15 foreign—11 doubtful, and 27 indi- . enous.

As regards the nature of the Cottons exhibited the fol- lowing may be observed as to the productions of each dis- trict on the foregoing list.

To contrast the contributions of all districts 1t would per- haps be better to tabulate the sources, and varieties of sup- ply. By doing this we may gain some insight into two points of importance, firstly, as to the proved capability of certain districts to produce exotic Cotton, and secondly, as to the nature of 7, if so cultivated, and also of the indi- genous Cotton now under review as exhibited. |

In the following we therefore see the place of supply of all Cottons ; the number of these which were of exotic species and of the varieties of native Cotton; and, as regards both descriptions, the suitability or otherwise of these for ex- _ portation. The points relied on in this respect were the length of staple and the cleaned or uncleaned condition of the sample; for unless satisfactory in these respects the fibre could not be recommended as a profitable 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 fit and unfit, respectiwely, for Kxportation.

4D ° : IMPORTED | ,|DOUBTFUL.| .| GE- | , 32 SPECIES. | 2 2/NOUS.| 2 bai 5 aS ES 3-2 b b WEE a = A m RM S WM © = Bale iol: 2s Propucine Dis- eee es Delete je =i TRICTS. figis|s 4 aie] | Reo o/e|a{s < © < ) aes ORS Wren eee tes | O}M)/ 815 | & a . clelslzlsia| * |sja/Si<|/8| 88 £ alale alsle Alo|Ol@ lol a8 «a 4 4 1 1|/2/2 27 8 fit Salem oeereccssseee000e0 0 0 0 0 c 0 eee 0 0 unfit 8 rt) 0/0] 0 fit INABDORE iisecencsn- oe 1 . 1 219 3 unfit 3 : 2 2 | thread 010 t Chingleput........... 0 a Wee ie) 0 ‘Toll 313 3 unfit 6 eae ol1|1 010 t Trichinopoly........ ilolil : ‘Tada 2 unfit 3 0 MOD wtai his osbicins cca 1 1 Soha oa | unfit 1 pn 0 0;1o0| 0 Vizianagram..,...... ee 1 . 1 lady 2 unfit 2 ig alg By 0 O}o| 2 fit 010: eee Be A et ololo 1 Tafel 7], § unt 51 0/0 SA css tcccse-c- | roo |. pase | sce fore f scat eee) frerfert| vee 219] 2 unfit 2 tit O;}o! 1 fit Bellary Ba alaiateleisielslalateicle is 010 Soc viele a ove 1 Ae 1 unfit 2 1 1 fit Paulehaut.....:.%... a call Paes 0 OFF ze Oath bee 1 | 1 0 Ojo} 1 fit Hydrabad............ Of] Q 9 Totelqdq/3 unfit 4 dali O0!1oj} 1 t GiAGOOE. (.c6ncss.0.06 re: reals (real fee eet unfit 2 : 0;90/10 0 0;0| 0 Raichoor Dooab... ilili sel eee aallaehaire 219 5 unfit 5 010 KUINOO].....eee0...00. Sse Nese <eihvamdieeh aaa (a llase| aalllees 3/3|/3unfits ? : 0 0 fit Rear wre ores Wallets etter’ TEE ee i Hi ean Fit for export....... Ar 2r OV 2 SITLL! 3 21 5) 2) O| 2 18 Unfit for do.......... O} 1) 1] 2} 0} 4 6 0} 6] 0/25 |25 35 { Total Exhibit....... 4| 31 1| 4] 3115] 9 2/11) 2/25 |27 53

l

To summarize the above it may be said that about 73 per cent. of the exotic Cottons were fit for export—the 4 unfit specimens only wanting additional care in preparation :

Of the doubtful species nearly 45 per cent. were fit for export, including one of very good thread.

Of the indigenous Cottons only 2 specimens—or 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.

lst. Short staple (only to be obviated by improved culture and the introduction of exotic varieties, or by bybridizing 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 in- troduced or accidentally acquired).

8rdly. The harsh and curled fibre (due to the natural shortness of it and to want of irrigation of the crop).

The standard of excellence was perhaps pitched higher at the time of the exhibition than it would ow be, when there is extensive demand for all staples. But, unless marked improvement should be effected on the points above indi- cated, native Cotton can never compete with exotie Cotton carefully grown even in India. |

It is worthy of remark that cost of production formed no item of the information placed at my disposal by exhibitors : and in the absence of this and of positive means of knowing the market value of each kind of Cotton, I am unable to do more than institute an arbitrary distinction between the de- cidedly saleable and the probably unsaleable commodity.

As to the classification by varieties contained in the last table, I should add that in many instances (as the table itself shows) no reliable conclusion could be arrived at, and the distinct species of 34 of the 53 specimens could not be determined. Of these however 9 appeared to be foreign varieties and 25 indigenous. This conclusion was arrived at from a careful examination of the fibre, seeds, &c., of each specimen.

Some of the Cottons exhibited were beautiful articles: and if large quantities of equal quality could be produced,

hi

they would command ready and good sale. But, in exhi- bitions such as that now under review there is no test applied as to the quantity grown, and a carefully prepared “garden specimen” may be rewarded, although if the cost of its production were known it would be found to be worse than useless as an export intended to realize a profit on cost of production, &c. To this and other branches of the sub- ject I shall advert hereafter, but I feel it right now to guard my readers against drawing other than general conclusions from the facts here recorded. The producing power of cer- tain districts may be apparently overstated: as in the case of Salem, which was represented by one exhibitor chiefiy, and some of the specimens from his plantation were three or four times brought to notice with approval.

The very fine quality of the Bourbon Cotton produced by this gentleman, of the Egyptian by the Honourable Mr. Morehead and Captain Templar, and the excellence of all specimens of Brazil Cotton, should not be lost sight of by: intending Cultivators. Nor should it be forgotten that Nankeen Cotton of good quality was exhibited from the dis- tricts of Salem and Guntoor.

As this occasion presents me with a suitable opportunity for doing so, I desire to record the following awards at the exhibition for the article of true Cotton fibre.

Captain Templar 1st prize, 1st class medal for Cotton. Messrs. Fischer and Co. ( 2nd aie da; /+4, do do Hon. W. Morehead, Esg.t equal $do do do

Messrs. Fischer and Co. Hon. mention for Nankeen Cotton.

F. S. Child, Esq. do for Cotton. Hanamunt Row do for Cotton. Narrayadoo do for Nankeen Cotton. Local Committee of Madura do for Cotton. Rh. N. Taylor, Esq. do for introducing 3

varieties of exotic Cotton, only want- ing in careful preparation. Local Committee, Chingleput, Honourable mention for Cot- ton thread. Howarp B. Montcomery, M.D.

Reporter on Fibres for the Madras Exhibition of 1859.

Fort St, GEorRGE, Madras, 1861. U

INDEX,

N.B.—The numerals refer not to the Pages but to the No. of the Paragraphs.

Adonie Talook, 88.

Alabama, 107; suitableness of the soil to the growth of Cotton, 143; the Professor of Chemistry re- quests information regarding the Cotton plant, 304.

Alluvial soil, description of 16, 47; cultivated with Cotton, 48; re- sult of the second season, 55; fail- ure of the Cotton crop, 94; un- suitable to the growth of American Cotton, 272; the component parts, 355.

America, North, climate of, 8; plant- ers engaged to instruct the natives of India in Cotton cultivation, 35 ; six evils to be guarded against, 72 ; rising temperature during the Cot- ton growing season, 108; man- ner of using the American saw gin, 180 ; early cultivation of Cot- ton, 143; nature of the lands on which Cotton is grown, 145; man- ner of manuring, 146; the life of a Cotton planter, 150 ; advantages of gins, 156; rent of lands, 157; minimum prices of Cotton, 158; labourers compared with those of India, 159.

American Cotton, soil adapted to, 16 ; question of ridging, 54; advant- ages possessed by India in the cul- tivation, 72; its superiority to Indian, 83; price, note to 84; distribution of seed among the col- lectors, 105; two methods of cul- tivation, 110; choice of soil re-

quired, 113; preparation of the | lands for the seed, 114; plough- | ing and hoeing during the grow- ing season, 115; distance between the rows, 116; treatment of the plant as an annual and rotation of crops, 117; its profitable cultiva- tion, 118 ; plans for extending the cultivation, 119; order of Court of Directors for 6000 bales, 121; failure of the purchase system, 124; early cultivation in America, 143; minimum price, 158; re- duction of land-tax is not bene- ficial to its culture, 160; unfitness of the churka, 170; sale at Coim- batore of some damaged, note to | 177; successful culture in Court- allum, 184; unsuccessful culture at Sevacausey, Virdooputty, and Aroopoocottah, 185 ; Mr. Finnie’s views on extending the cultivation, 203; his matured judgment against its culture, 204; Dr. Wight’s opinion, 210; Mr. Fin- | nie convinced of the folly of culti- vating it in India, 211; liable to failure in any part of the Madras Presidency, 227 ; causes of failure, 228; Dr. Wight’s cultivation by irrigation, 242; Mr. Thomas’s method to induce the Ryots to ex- tend its cultivation, 258; Mr. Lees’ cultivation, 259 ; discussion concerning the purchase on Go- vernment account from Ryots of Tinnevelly, 260; successful cul-

INDEX.

tivation by the Ryots of Coimba- tore, 266 ; compared with the cul- ture of Indian Cotton, 270; steady market required to extend the growth, 278; Mr. Lees’ partial success in Tinnevelly, 280; Coro- mandel coast suitable to the growth, 281; Government pur- chases ceased, 287; method of cultivation in Coimbatore, 360; diseases, 362; general conclusions, B71 375

American plant, its habits, 95; sea- sons, 96; nature of the lands in America on which it is grown, 145; its average spread, 359.

' Anderson, Dr., distributes foreign

' Cotton seeds at Madras, 32; re-

| sults of his labours, 33.

, Arbuthnott, Hon. D., gives Brazil-

ian Cotton seeds to Dr. Mudge,

ie «299,

_ Arbuthnott and Co., Messrs., concur in the opinion of Mr. Finnie re- ' _ specting the use of the gin, 181.

' Archipelago, 143.

‘ Arcot, North, 9; soil unfavourable,

3800.

' Arcot, South, 9, 301.

' Arkwright’s machinery, 31.

Aroopoocottah, hire of a temporary

| gin-house, 172; difficulties of

_ conducting the ginning operations, i 179; unsuccessful culture of Ame-

rican Cotton, 185; meeting of the Cotton Brokers, 187; Cotton plantation established by Mr. Finnie, 203.

Assessment, general rate of, 15; Dr. Wight’s propositions for reducing it, 121; Mr. Finnie’s opinion on the reduction, 160; Marquis of Tweeddale suggests remission on

_ Cotton fields, 218.

Atlas Press, 61.

f

t

Bangalore, Cotton imported from Bellary, 330.

Banking, mode of, 52.

| Bayles, Captain, is sent to America

to engage Cotton Planters, 36.

hii

Bellary, 5, 9; rate of assessment, note to 15; one of the principal Cotton Districts, 17; trial of American saw gins, 34; recom- mended by Mr. Simpson as suit- able to the growth of Cotton, 80; proposed operations of the Plant- ers, 86; Mr. Morris despatched to, 87; his report, 88; the Col- lector reports favourably on the Dharwar saw gin, 252; failure of the experiment of Egyptian Cot- ton by the Collector, 298; the Collector’s detailed report, 330 ; of soil, 331; geology and topo- graphy, 332; climate, 333 ; seed, 334; character of the Cotton plant, 336..

Bengal, construction of Mather’s churka in, 244.

Bezwarah, 294.

Bhooj, 228.

Bird, Mr., requests Dr. Wight to send New Orleans Cotton seed, 260.

Bishop, Mr., reports favourably upon the Cottage saw gin, 251. Black soil, description of, 6; com- pared with Red soil, 42; given to Mr. Morris and. Mr. Simpson, 48 ; results of the second season, 55 ; unsuitableness to American Cot- ton, 215; comparative growth of the Native and American Cotton in Coimbatore, 266; other crops

grown in, 315, 344, 355.

Board of Revenue, solicit the pur- chase of Dharwar gins, 252 ; sup- port the suggestion of the Col- lector of Tarjore, 256; approve the successful cultivationof Egypt- ian Cotton by Mr. Shubrick, 298.

Bombay, Cotton exported to the Directors, 32; transfer of Mr. Hawley, 46; of Mr. Simpson, 81 ; permission to act as Cotton Agent is given to Mr. Simpson by the Government, 139; Cotton import- ed from Coimbatore, 367.

Bourbon Cotton, 20; its origin, 21; compared with Indian and New

U 2

liv

Orleans, 22; introduced into the Madras Presidency, 33; method of cultivation, note to 34; opinion of the Ryots, 36; growth com-

pared, 56; report of the Brokers upon the samples, 60; treated as a biennial plant, 64; Dr. Wight cultivates by irrigation, 242; the action of the cottage gin, 247; difficulty in separating the wool, 277; successful culture in the People’s Park, 299; the average height of plants in Coimbatore, 309.

Brazilian Cotton—-See Pernambuco.

Brokers, Cotton, report upon Dr. Wight’s Cotton, 57 ; are preferred to Zemindars in the use of the gins, 165; visit the scene of Mr. Finnie’s operations at Aroopoo- cottah, 173; their testimony that dirty Cotton was more profitable than clean Cotton, 174; their transactions with the Ryots, Chet- ties, and Agents, 175; adultera- tion of the Cotton by the ‘ Devil’s dust”? system, 177; their meet- ing in Tinnevelly, 187; their mode of purchase, 213.

Brooke, Mr., 365.

Brown Loam—See Red soil.

Cadell, Mr., 303.

Calcutta, Mr. Finnie’s exportation of a thresher from, 131; Cotton yarn exported to Vizagapatam, 292.

Calicoes, Indian, stoppage of de- mand, 31.

Campbell, Mr. D., purchases the gin- house at Coimbatore, 255; dies, ib., 286.

Canara, North, description of, 5;

enjoys the S. W. Monsoon, 7, 9; |

Mr. Simpson’s report upon, 76; Cotton imported from Bellary, 364.

Canara, South, 5, 366.

Cape Comorin, 4; junction of the two Ghauts at, 5; limit of the Carnatic, 295.

Caresal soil—See Black soil.

Carnatic, description of, 5; enjoys

INDEX.

the influence of the N. E. Mon- soon, 7; its districts, 9; 1ts mean temperature and mean falls of rain, 99; physical feature, 106; | season for sowing Cotton, 107; nature of the climate, 109; lead- | ing principles of Cotton culture in, | 275; extension of, 295.

Ceylon, Merchants establish Agents | in Tinnevelly, 162; a driving machinery for sale in, 166. |

Chamber of Commerce, Madras, 197 ; confirm Dr. Wight’s valuation of Mr. Finnie’s samples, 201; their unfavourable report upon Cottage © saw gin, 247; approve the suc- cessful cultivation of Egyptian | Cotton by Mr. Shubrick, 298.

Chayroot, discussion concerning the renters of, 259.

Chetties, purchase Cotton from the Ryots, 129; visit the scene of Mr. Finnie’s operation at Aroopoo- cottah, 1738; their transactions with the Ryots, Brokers, and Agents, 175; their tricks with European agents, 178, 213.

Chingleput, 298.

Churka, description of the, 25; American saw gin used at Coim- batore in its place, 45; Mr. Fin- nie’s opinion upon, 126; his first | year’s proceedings, 141; second | year’s proceedings, 163; its un- fitness for American Cotton, 170; Mr. Finmie’s third year’s opera- tions, 187; Mr. Finnie pro- nounces in its favour, 2053; cost of cleaning Cotton, 208, 254.

Churka, Mather’s description of, 244,

Circars, 4; districts of, 9; establish- ment of two Cotton Farms, 34; its extent, 290.

Cochin, 9, 363, 368.

Coimbatore, 7, 9; description of the soil, 16; one of the principal Cot- ton districts, 17; introduction of Bourbon Cotton, 33; establish- ment of a Cotton farm, 34; re- ) moval of the Planters to, 39; Dr. |

INDEX. |v

Wight’s tour through the district, ; Coorg, 299.

44; mode of sowing Cotton seed, 00; experiment made by Mr. Wroughton, 66; Madras Govern- ment propose the abandonment of Cotton farms, 86; Dr. Wight’s new Cotton farms, 90; location of the farms, 103; respective prices of Cotton in the market, 124; Mr. Finnie’s tour from Courtallum to, 187; trial of cat- tle labour and manual labour by Dr. Wight, 167; sale. of some damaged American Cotton, note- to 177; Mr. Finnie refused per- mission to extend his operations, 209; favourable report of the American planters, 211; Dr. Wight’s system of purchase, 218 ; suggestion to relinquish the ex- perimental farm by the Marquis of Tweeddale, 218 ; by the direct- ors, 223; Dr. Wight ascribes the failure of the Cotton crop to the want of humidity, 229; Sir H. Pottinger directs Dr. Wight to break up his establishment, 282 ; Dr. Wight resumes his office, 241 ; the gin-house sold to Mr. D. Campbell, 255 ; Mr. Wroughton’s collectorate farm at, 257; the Ryots’ successful culture of Ame- rican Cotton, 264; failure of the experiment of Egyptian Cotton by the Collector, 298 ; the Collector’s report, 354 ; of soil, 355; geology and topography, 356; climate, 357 ; seed, 358; character of the Cotton plant, 359; method of cul- tivation, 860; manure, 361; dis- eases, 362.

olaba Press, 61.

yompany, East India, three objects sought by, 3 ; three improvements required in the Indian Cotton, 19; their efforts upon Cotton cultivation, 226.

soomptah, Cotton imported from Bellary, 330, 364.

Joorchee, a Cotton farm established at, 46; description of the soil, 65.

Coromandel coast, description of, 4;

its distance from the Hastern Ghauts, 5; season for sowing Cotton, 97; Mr. Lees’ experiment of Cotton cultivation, 279, 281.

Corrie and Co., Messrs., 202. Cotton, better varieties of, 20; six

leading varieties of, 21; method of separating and cleaning, 24; experiment of treating the plant as a biennial, 64; fluctuation of the price of land, 157; estimate of the Brokers upon dirty one, 174 ; adulteration by the “ Devil’s dust” system, 177; price of the unadulterated, 189; difficulty of separating the seed, 277; export- ed to Vizagapatam from Calcutta and Madras, 292; to Godavery from Kristna, 293; to Tanjore from Madura and ‘Tinnevelly, 303; diseases, 312, 325; Cotton exported from Bellary to Madras, Bangalore, Wallajapet, and Coomptah, 330; from Kurnool to Madras, 339; improvements in the quality required, 341.

Cotton cultivation, Hand-book to 1;

rate of assessment, note to 15; better system of, 23; memorial drawn by Mr. Rundall, 34; pre- vailing opinions in the Madras Presidency, 36; introduction of the American system, 44; Dr. Wight’s notes, 49—d54; early preparation and sowing required, 69; its cost, 74; extension of the improved method, 84; five prac- tical suggestions required, 112; proposition for reducing the assess- ment of lands, 121; Mr. Finnie explains to the Ryots the im- proved method, 136 ; Mr. Finnie’s notes, 148—160 ; capital required, 149; uncertainty of weather, 154 ; expense, 155; method of improve- ment, 219,.220; Dr. Wight’s trial by irrigation, 242; Colonel Lawford’s, 256; Mr. Lees’ culti- vation, 259; general survey in

lvi

the Madras Presidency, 289; mode of, in Trichinopoly, 302; in Madura, 310; in Tinnevelly, 328; in Bellary, 336; in Cud- dapah, 350; in Coimbatore, 360.

Cotton districts, 17; statistics of, 18; large experiment in early sowing throughout, 108.

Cotton manufacturers, Great Britain, their rivalry with native weavers, 31; Mr. Finnie requests permis- sion to consult with them, 186; they are advised to purchase Cot- ton direct from the Ryots, 224.

Cotton, Mr. Finnie’s Tinnevelly, 196; Dr. Wight’s report upon it, 198, 211.

Cotton seed, high prices demanded by the Ryots for, 180; process of cleaning, 206; high demands at Coimbatore, 267 ; distribution of the Egyptian among several Col- lectors, 298; preparation before sowing, 308.

Courtallam, enjoys both monsoons, 68; Mr. Finnie’s tour, 133; his departure from, 1387; Mr. Fin- nie’s planting operations, 161; successful culture of American Cotton, 184; cessation of Mr. Finnie’s operations, 203; sanc- tion of a small model farm, 216.

Crop, Cotton, sudden renovation of, 41; keeping down extraneous vegetation until the ripening of, 03; comparison of those of the four seasons, 65; rotation of, 90, 148; successive operations re- quired, 150; Indian and Georg- ian compared, 271.

Cuddapah, 5, 9; description of the soil, 16; one of the principal Cot- ton districts, 17; trial of Ameri- can saw gin, 34; the Collector re- ports favourably on Dharwar saw gin, 252; failure of the experi- ment of Egyptian Cotton by the Collector, 298; present state of Cotton cultivation, 342; detailed report of Mr. Murray, 343; of soil, 844; weeds, 345; geology

INDEX.

and topography, 346; climate, | 347; seed, 348; character of the | Cotton plant, 349; mode of cul- | tivation, 350; manure, 351; dis- eases, 352. :

Cuxton, Mr., 232; is requested by Dr. Wight to report upon the | capability of the coast to produce American Cotton, 242.

Denison, Sir William, his minute | upon the improvement of Native Cotton, note to 219; his queries upon Cotton cultivation in Tinne- velly, 327.

Devil’s dust system, adulteration of Cotton, 177. |

Dharwar, New Orleans Cotton suc- cessfully cultivated, 76; success of Mr. Mercer, 80; Mr. Morris’ tour through the district, 88; favourable report of the two American planters, 211; en- couragement afforded for the growth of New Orleans Cotton, 234; construction of a gin, 252; advantages of American Cotton, 278. |

Directors, Court of, 29; endeavour to get a supply of Cotton from India, 32; send a Cotton cleaner to the Madras Presidency, 34; engage ten Planters in America, 35; disapprove of the plan of Lord Elphinstone, 39; send an American saw gin, 40; approve the sample sent by Dr. Wight, 57; the suggestions of Mr. Simp- son, 81; of the Manchester Asso- ciation, 105; order for 6000 bales of East India Cotton, 120; decide against the reduction of Assess- ment on lands under American Cotton cultivation, 123; object to the use of hand gins, 168; de- cline to permit Mr. Finnie to go to England, 186; large shipment of churkaed Cotton contrary to their orders, 199; approve the | suggestion of Dr. Wight to try. churkaed with the ginned by En-

INDEX.

glish spinners, 216; their general opinions upon the experimental culture, 217; their views con- cerning the experimental farms, 222—224; send some Sea Island Cotton seed, 235; their measures concerning Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie, 237, 239, 240; sanction the relief of the chayroot renter from interfering with Mr. Lees’ cultivation, 259; their final des- patch on Cotton, 287; receive certain queries regarding Cotton by Dr. Mallet, 304.

Dowlashwarum, 294.

Drill husbandry, 49, 151.

Driving Machinery, expenses of, 156; Mr. Finnie’s proposal for the erection, 166; sanction for its purchase, 167; change in Mr. Finnie’s views, 168; erected at Sevacausey, 207; Mr. Finnie’s last opinion, 238.

Drought, its effects upon Cotton shrub, 42, 70, 360.

Karle, Mr., reports upon samples of Cotton sent to Liverpool, 43, 45,

Egypt, treatment of the Sea Island Cotton as a biennial, 64; irriga- tion employed, 110.

Egyptian Cotton, 20, 21; success- fully cultivated on the Coromandel coast, 279; suitability of Ganjam to its growth, successful cultiva- tion of, 291; Mr. Shubrick’s, 298 ; Dr. Mudge’s, 299

Ellice, Mr. R., 287.

Ellore, 294.

Elphinstone, Lord, experiments during his governorship, 28 ; re- solves upon the removal of the American Planters to Salem and Coimbatore, 38; his suggestions adopted by Mr. Fischer, 1b.; re-

quests Dr, Wight to draw up notes upon American system of agriculture, 48; succeeded by the Marquis of Tweeddale, 67.

Elton, Mr., 237; recommends the

lvil

cultivation of Cotton by irrigation, 206.

Errode, Cotton farm established, 39.

Experimental farms, four, estab- lished, 39; arrangements regard- ing two, 46; distribution of land amongst them, 47; of soil, 48; their state in 1843-44, 61; ge- neral result of the four seasons, 66; their position in 1845, 86; new ones established in Coimba- tore, 90; their results, 91; con- templated establishment of a num- ber of small ones, 125; stage of culture in Tinnevelly, 183; gene- ral opinions of the Madras Govern- ment and Court of Directors, 217 ; suggestions to relinquish those in Coimbatore by the Marquis of Tweeddale, 218; by the Directors, 223; Sir H. Pottinger suggests that the continuance of them would be injurious, 226; with- drawal of the Government Agency, 283; their state after Dr. Wight’s departure, 288.

Finnie, Mr., 28 ; succeeds Mr. Simp- son in the Madras Presidency, 87; reports unfavourably upon the Madras district, 89; despatched to Tinnevelly, ib.; his labours compared with those of Dr. Wight, 126; his first impression of Tinnevelly, 127; requests per- mission to act as Agent, 128 ; re- commends the thresher before the use of the churka, 131; obtains saw gins from Dr. Wight, 1b. ; three points in his career, 132; his tour to Courtallum, 183; allays the fears and suspicions of the Ryots, 135; explains the im- proved method of culture to the Ryots, 136; his tour to Coimba- tore, 137; is permitted to act as Cotton Agent, 139; request the Madras Government to remove the restriction to ginned Cotton, 140; his first year’s proceedings with the churka, &c., 141; receives

Tyui

some queries by the Marquis of Tweeddale, 142; his notes on Cotton cultivation in America and India, 1483—160 ; disappointed as an Agent, 162; sells two gins to Zemindars, 164; proposes to erect a gin-house and cattle-driving machinery in Tinnevelly, 166; sanctioned, 167; changes opinion as regards driving ma-

chinery, 168; explains his in-°

consistencies to the Madras Go- vernment, 169; his general ob- jections to the gins discussed by Dr. Wight, 170; his proposition for erecting a gin-house, 171; hires a gin-house at Aroopoocot- tah, 172; erects three gins and a thresher, 173; his notes en the peculiarities of the Cotton trade - in Tinnevelly, 175—178; his statement of the expenses of gin- ning, 181; requests permission to proceed to England, 186; recom- mends the introduction of small hand threshers and cheap presses, 190; invents a cheap Cotton press, 195; forwards to the Madras Government a sample of Tinne- velly Cotton, 196; his letter to Government, note ; comparison of his system of purchasing Cotton with that of Dr. Wight, 200; his proposed extension of planting operations, 263; his matured judgment against the culture of American Cotton or use of the American gin, 204; refused per- mission to extend his operations to Coimbatore, 209; his breach with Dr. Wight, 210; is con- vinced of the folly of cultivating American Cotton in India, 211; his correspondence about growing and planting American Cotton, 213; his proceedings disapproved by Dr. Wight, 214; advises Dr. Wight that all his plans have been approved by the authorities, 215 ; is allowed to remain in Tinne- velly to instruct the East Indian

his .

INDEX.

lads in the use of the gins, 231 ; his departure from the Madras Presidency, 287; his last letter, 248.

Fischer, Mr., his Cotton establish- ment at Salem, 38; adopts the suggestion of Lord Elphinstone, ib.; his general views upon Cot- ton, 39; reports upon the un- suitability of the climate of Salem to the growth of Brazilian Cot- ton, 299; his report upon North Canara, 364.

Fischer and Co., Messrs., Cotton ex- porters in Salem, 353. |

Florida, mean falls of rain, 109.

Foot Roller, description, 24.

Ganjam, 9; Cotton produce incon- siderable but easily increased by money advances, 291; the soil suited to the growth of Egyptian Cotton, 298.

Georgia, a Cotton cleaner sent to the Madras Presidency from, 34; its crops compared with those of India, 271; its soil with South- ern India, 275.

Ghauts, Eastern, description of, 5,

i Ghauts, Western, description of, 5 ; heavy rains upon, 7, 356. Gin-house, its state, 61; its ex- penses, 56; Mr. Finnie’s proposal for its erection in Tinnevelly, 166, 171; hire of a temporary one at Aroopoocottah, 172; erected at Sevacausey, 207 ; allowed for the use of the Ryots, 233; sold to Mr. Campbell at Coimbatore, 255. Gins, a practical person recommend- ed for their exhibition, 80; their expenses, 156; Zemindars pur- chase of, 164; their unfitness for Indian Cotton, 170 ; difficulties in conducting the operations at Aroo- poocottah, 179; heavy expenses incurred, 181; necessity for im- proving the construction, 182. Godavery district, 9; Cotton wool exported, 34; Cotton supply large,

INDEX.

_ but insufficient for the wants of the district, 293.

Government, Madras, orders respect- ing the Cotton Hand-Book, 2; efforts of, towards the cultivation of Cotton, 34; establishes four Cotton Farms, ib.; appoints Dr. Wight to report on the state of agriculture in Southern India, ib.; approves the agreements made between Dr. Wight and the Ryots, 44; requests Mr. Wrough- ton to explain the causes of the success of his Cotton experiment, 67; proposes his abandonment of Cotton farms at Coimbatore, 86 ; requested by Dr. Wight to re- duce the assessment on lands un- der American Cotton cultivation, 121; permits Mr. Finnie to act as Cotton Agent, 1389; removes the restrictions upon Mr, Finnie, 140; sanctions the purchase of cattle-driving machinery for Mr. Finnie, 167; of small hand- threshers and presses, 191; refers the sample of Finnie’s Tinnevelly Cotton to Dr. Wight, &c., 197; refuses permission to Mr. Finnie to extend his operation to Coim- batore, 209; Sir Henry Pottin- ger’s arrival, 210; approves the suggestion of Dr. Wight to try churkaed Cotton with ginned by the English spinners, 215 ; gene- ral opinions upon the experimental culture, 217; its decision regard- ing Dr. Wight reversed by the Directors, 239; cottage saw gins received, 246; further purchase, 252; places the Cotton farm in Coimbatore under a Duffadar, 257; refuses fhe purchases applied for by Mr. Bird, 261; condemns Dr. Wight’s reports, 282 ; withdraws the agency, 283.

Grate, evils arising from, 70.

Grecian Archipelago, 148.

Guntoor, description of, note to 9; Cotton exported to the Godavery district, 294.

lix

Hand-Book to Cotton cultivation, 1; method pursued in its com- pilation, 2; division of the sub- ject matter, 28; leading points of the several chapters, 29; special- ties of the chapters, 30; general result, 369; general conclusions, 370.

Hiand gins, 253 ; cost of labour, 254. Hardy, Mr. Thomas, his report upon * Cotton trade at Tuticorin, 328. Hathaway, Mr., his report upon

Madura, 305—312.

Hawley, Mr., comes to Madras, 35; sent to Tinnevelly, 37; removed to Coimbatore, 39 ; transferred to Bombay, 46.

Heath, Mr., his successful Cotton cultivation at Vizagapatam, 34. Hoeing, Dr. Wight’s remarks, 51 ; manner of, 52; practical suggest- ion upon it, 115; season for adopt-

ing it, 152.

Honore, 3658.

Hughes, Captain, his efforts at Tin- nevelly, 33; three planters sent under his superintendence, 37; succeeded by Dr. Wight, 41; good crop of American Cotton obtained by him, 211.

Hughes’ Tinnevelly Cotton, 33, 372; method of cultivating Bourbon Cotton, note to 34.

Hullial, Mr. Simpson’s report upon it, 78, 365.

Hurryhur, 80.

Idler, Mr., 141.

Inam Commission, its origin, 15.

India, its climate compared with that of America, 8; rivalry between its Native weavers and the Cotton Manufacturers of Great Britain, 381; ten American Planters sent, 35 ; treatment of Bourbon variety as a biennial, 64; advantages in the cultivation of American Cot- ton, 72; remunerative demand re- quired, 73; characteristics of the seasons, 97; its climate not too- hot, but too cold, 106; diminish-

lx

ing temperature during the Cot- ton growing seasons, 108; two methods of cultivating American Cotton, 110; manner of cleaning the Cotton, 130; present cultiva- tion of Cotton, 143; manner of manuring, 146 ; of planting, 151; cheapness of the labour, 159; Mr. Finnie’s judgment against the culture of American Cotton and use of American gin, 203; Dr. Wight’s opinion upon the growth of American Cotton, 210; Sir H. Pottinger’s experience in the various parts of, 228 ; Coimbatore Ryots’ opinion upon the soil and climate, 263; Dr. Wight refutes the theory that the climate and soil are unfitted for American Cot-

’ ton, 269; its crops compared with those of Mississippi, 271; Dr. Wight’s opinion upon the climate of the South, 274.

Indian Cotton, soil adapted to it, 16; queries with reference to it, 18; improvements required in it, 19; its varieties, 20; its character, 21 ; compared with Bourbon and New Orleans Cottons, 22; efforts to extend and improve, 32; prevail- ing opinion upon it, 36; opinion of Mr. Morris upon it, 40; its growth compared, 56; report of the Brokers upon the sample, 58 ; its inferiority to American Cotton, 83; plans for extending its culti- vation, 119; Directors order for 6000 bales, 120; price at which Dr. Wight purchased, 124; Mr. Finnie’s opinion upon it, 126; unfitness of the gin, 170; syste- matic adulteration, 175; process of cleaning, 206; unsuited to the American gin, 210; Marquis of Tweeddale’s plan for improving the culture, 219, 220: Dr. Wight cultivates by irrigation, 242; failure of the crop in Coim- batore, 266 ; its culture compared with the American, 270; unsuit- ableness of Madras, 279 ; of North

INDEX.

Arcot, 300; general conclusions, 372, 374; political and com- mercial prospects, 375. | Irrigation required in cultivating American Cotton, 110; experi- ments by it, 111; Dr. Wight’s cultivation of American Cotton, 242; Colonel Lawford’s cultiva- tion in Tanjore, 256.

Jaffna, 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 experimental culture, 360.

Krishna district, 9 ; Cotton exported to Godavery, 293; Mr. Thorn- hill’s report, 294.

Krishna, river, 4, 290.

Kunkur, 77, 113, 319.

Kurnool, 9; failure of the experi- ment of Egyptian Cotton by the Collector, 298; extent of land under Cotton cultivation, 339.

Kutch, 228.

Labour, cattle, 167.

Labour, manual, loss incurred by | the employment, 134; American and Indian compared, 159; cost of, 167, 310, 323, 336.

Lawford, Colonel, tries Cotton cul- tivation by irrigation in Tanjore, 111, 256, 371.

Lees, Mr. Arthur, 259.

Lees, Mr. David, his Cotton culti- vation in Tinnevelly, 259; his partial success, 280, 371.

London, the value of Dr. Mudge’s Cotton, 299.

Longshaws, Messrs., their efforts at Trichendoor, 281.

Madras, 9; distribution of foreign Cotton seeds, 32; arrival of an | American saw gin, 45; Mr. Fin-

INDEX.

nie despatched to report upon the district, 87 ; his unfavourable re- port, 89 ; the temperature com- pared with that of Vera Cruz, Mobile, and Natchez, 107 ; mean falls of rain, 109 ; establishments of Agents in Tinnevelly by the Merchants, 162; arrival of Sir Henry Pottinger, 2294).....Dr. Wight’s visit, 235; arrival of twenty-four Cottage saw gitis, 246; Cotton yarn exported to Vizagapatam, 292; experiments in Native and foreign Cottons, 297, 299; Cotton imported from Bel- lary, 330; from Kurnool, 339. Madras Presidency, its boundaries, 4; physical features, 5 ; modifica- tions of the tropical heat, 6; ch- mate, 8; Revenue divisions, 9; Revenue ‘system, 10 ; introduction of Bourbon Cotton, 33; opinions upon Cotton cultivation, 35; large experiment in early sowing throughout the Cotton districts, 105; “failure of American Cotton, 227 : Dr. Wight’s superintend- ence retained, 240; survey of the present Cotton cultivation, 289. Madura, 9; description of the soil, 16; Mr. Finnie’s arrival, 137 ;

importance of the cleanliness of '

Cotton known to the inhabitants, 209 ; good crop of American Cot- ton obtained by Mr. Hughes, 211; small hand threshers sanctioned, 225 ; Cotton exported to Tanjore, 303; detailed report of the Col- lector, 304; of the soil, 305; geology and topography, 306 : climate, 307 ; Cotton seed, 308 ; character of the Cotton plant, 309; mode of cultivation, 310; of manure, 311 ; of disease among Cotton plants, 312.

| Malabar, description, 5; enjoys the S. W. monsoon, 7, 9, 365.

_Malabar Coast, description, 4; dis- UNG from fue Western Ghauts,

5; Cotton sowing time, 97;

physical features, 363.

Ixi

Malacca, Straits of, 228.

Mallett, Dr., forwards certain queries connected with Indian Cotton to the Directors, 304.

Malta, Cotton seeds sent, 32.

Maltby, Mr., his tour with Mr. Fin- nie through Pullicarny, 89.

Manchester Commercial Association, their suggestion respecting early sowing, 92, 105; order for 6000 bales of American Cotton, 121; object to the use of hand gins, 168; their valuation of Mr. Fin- nie’s Cotton, 202; their unfound- ed complaint, 234; Cottage saw gins constructed 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 composition, 146, 311, 324, 337, 351, 364.

Masulipatam, description, note to 9; establishment of a Cotton farm, 34.

Mauritius, Bourbon Cotton brought, 22; varieties of Cotton seeds obtained, 32.

Mayne, Mr. Dawson, his detailed re- port upon Tinnevelly, 314—321. Mc Donnell, Mr., reports on the mode of cultivation in Trichin-

opoly, 302.

Mercer, Mr., his success in Dharwar, 80; his opinion of the climate of India, 107, 109.

Metcalfe, Mr. Bernard, is sent to the Madras Presidency, 34.

Metcalfe, Sir Charles, his description of the village communities, 10.

Mexican Cotton—See New Orleans.

Mexico, 92.

Minchin, Mr., his opinion on the obstacles to the increased pro- duction of Cotton, 339.

Mississippi, Cotton growing season, 106; commencement of the Cot- ton cultivation, 107; crops com- pared with those of India, 271.

Ixfi

Mobile, temperature, 107.

Model Fields, Marquis of Tweed- dale suggests the establishment, 224.

Monsoon,. North-east, its duration, 7; reported failure of the crop in consequence of it, 40; its effects upon Cotton shrub, 42; certain tracts of land enjoying it, 68; seasons on the Coromandel Coast, 98; Cotton cultivation, 100; its influence upon American plant, 266; its duration in Coimbatore, 275; diseases during its preva- lence, 312, 338.

Monsoon, South-west, its duration, 7; certain tracts of land enjoying it, 68; season on the Malabar Coast, 101; Cotton cultivation, 102.

Montgomery, Sir Henry, discourses with Dr. Wight on the state of the Cotton farms, 235.

Morris, Mr., arrives at Madras, 35; sent to Tinnevelly, 37; removed to Errode, 39; his remarks upon the growth of American plants, 54; exchanges Cotton farm with Mr. Sherman, note to 65; de- spatched to Bellary, 87; his re- port upon it, 88; his death, ib.

Mudge, Dr., experimental culture of Brazilian Cotton, 299.

Mundgood, Mr. Simpson, report, 78, 360.

Murray, Mr., his report on Cudda- pah, 348, 352.

Muslins, Indian, stoppage of de- mand, 3.

Mysore, 9; elevation above the sea, 329; mode of the Cotton trade, 360.

Nadum Cotton—inferior sort of In- dian Cotton, 20.

Nagpore, 292.

Nankin, 288.

_ Natchez, Captain Bayles’ visit there, 35; its temperature, 107.

Native Cotton—See Indian Cot- ton.

INDEX.

Negapatam, method to increase the cultivation of Cotton, 292.

Negroes, employed in cleaning Cot- ton, 143; picking the Cotton, 1d3.

Neilgherries, 299.

Nellore, 9; a grazing district, 296.

Nelson, Mr., reports upon the work-

ing of the Cottage saw gin. Newull, Mr., 302. New Orleans, a Cotton cleaner sent to Madras Presidency from, 34. New Orleans Cotton, 20, 21; com- pared with Indian and Bourbon, 22; opinion of Mr Morris re- garding it, 40; manner of sowing, 49; report of the Brokers upen the samples, 59; its trial as a biennial plant, 64; successfully cultivated in Dharwar, 76; ap-

_ proval of Dr. Wight’s sample, 92 ; high temperature required, 111; treatment of the plant as an an- nual, 117; insignificance of the cultivation of the Ryots, 124; Mr. Finnie’s opinion about its growth in Tinnevelly, 127; his object in cultivating it, 182; ex- tent of land in India under its cultivation, 159; its cultivation at Courtallum, 161; Mr. Thomas recommends its cultivation, 194 ; Coimbatore suitable to its growth, 214; Dr. Wight offers high prices, 225; opinion of the Man- chester Association, 234; Dr. Wight cultivates by irrigation, 242; the action of the Cottage gin, 247; objections of the spin- ners, 276; successfully cultivated on the Coromandel Coast, 279; the average height of the plant in Coimbatore, 309.

Nizam, dominions of the, 4; Cotton exported to Canara, 364.

North America—See America.

North American Cotton, varieties of the, 20.

Northern Circars—See Circars.

Nullamalah mountain, 346.

Nunjah land, its description, note to 230.

———

INDEX.

Oliphant, Mr. J., 287.

Oodoomulcottah, a Cotton farm established, 46; description of the soil, 65.

Oopum—See Indian Cotton.

Ootacamund, Mr. Wroughton’s ex- periment, 66; enjoys both mon- soons, 68; amount of Cotton pro- duced by Mr. Wroughton, 72; cost of cultivation, 74.

Overseers—See Planters.

Pattikondu, talook of, 340.

Paulghautcherry Pass, enjoys both monsoons, 68, 137, 356.

Paupugny river, 346.

Pelly, Mr., reports favourably upon Dharwar saw gin, 252, 253; his report upon the district of Bellary, 331—-338.

Pennar river, 346.

People’s Park, failure of the Brazil- ian Cotton, 299; successful cul- ture of the Egyptian and Bour- bon variety, ib.

- Pernambuco, 20; successful culture on the Coromandel Coast, 279; experimental culture by Dr. Mudge, 299.

Petit Gulph, Dr. Wight cultivates by irrigation, 242.

Petrie, Mr., sent to superintend the repairs of the gins, 61; recom- mends to Mr. Finnie the Ceylon machinery, 169; his opinions about gins, 170; his best saw gin, 182.

Philadelphia, 141.

Planters, American, sent to India, 385; contemplated removal of them to the neighbourhood of Salem, 38; ordered to carry on their operations in Bellary and Tinnevelly, 86; four points neg- lected in their experiment in Coimbatore, 90; report upon the partial suitability of Indian cli- mate to American Cotton, 211.

Planting, 151; Mr. Finnie’s opera- tions, 184; season for American

varieties in Madras, 299; for In-

Ixiii

dian Cotton in Madura, 310; in Tinnevelly, 3238; in Cuddapah, ~ Bry ae

Ploughs, American, compared with Native ones, 54.

Plough, Native, used in banking up the ridges, 52; compared with American ones, 54.

Pottel soil, description, 317.

Pottinger, Sir Henry, 28; succeeds the Marquis of Tweeddale, 203, 210; his neutral position between Dr. Wight and Mr. Finnie, 212; insists upon his resolutions con- cerning the Cotton farms, 236; condemns Dr. Wight’s report, 282 ; recommends the withdrawal of the Government Agency, 283.

Press, hand, 61; expenses, 156; recommended by Mr. Finnie, 190 ; sanctioned, 191.

Press, Mr. Finnie’s cheap Cotton, 195.

Prince, Mr., contracts to cultivate Cotton in Coimbatore, 241.

Pruning, season for, note to 34.

Pullicarny, Mr. Finnie’s report upon, 89.

Pulney Hills, 137.

Punjah land, description of, note to 236.

Puttahdars—See Ryots.

Rain, its effects upon Cotton shrub, 2; mean falls in the Carnatic, 109; in Madura, 307; in Timne- velly, 320; in Bellary, note to 333; in Coimbatore, 357.

Raipore, 292.

Rajahmundry, description, note to 9; Cotton exported to Vizagapa- tam, 292.

Reade, Mr. Charles, reports on the extent of Cotton cultivation in Chingleput, 297.

Red Cotton, 294. |

Red Loam—See Red Soil.

Regur—See Red Soil.

Red Soil, description, 16; compared with Black Soil, 42; given to Dr. Wight, 48; result of the second

lxiv

season upon, 55; suitable to American Cotton, 215; compara- tive growth of Indian and Ameri- can Cottons in Coimbatore, 266 ; the climate of North Arcot, 300; other crops grown, 318, 355.

Revenue, divisions, 9; systems, 10, 11; divisions of lands, 15 ; assist- ance to be given to the Ryots by the Establishment, 230.

Revenue Board—See Board of Re- venue.

Ridging, 49 ; its manner, 52; ques- tion about it, 54, 360.

Royle, Dr., queries on Indian Cot- ton, 18; his description of the Cotton culture, 23; his opinion on the climate of Dharwar and Coimbatore, 211.

Rundall, Mr., draws a memorial upon Cotton cultivation, 34.

Ryots, 10; mode of their cultiva- tion, 23; their objection to cul- tivate Bourbon Cotton, 36; re- ceive instruction from American Planters, 37; their agreements with Dr. Wight, 44; season in which they sow seeds, 69; re- munerative demand required for the growth of Cotton, 73; their opinion about the Cotton Estab- lishments, 79; extension of the improved method of cultivation among them, 84; their reluctance to adopt the saw gin, 85; sowing season for them, 106; plans for extending the American Cotton culture amongst them, 119; ad- vantages arising from an Agent, 129; their unwillingness to adopt the saw gin, 130; their co-opera- tion essential, 134; Mr. Finnie’s first intercourse with them, 135, 136; reduction of assessment not beneficial, 160; visit the scene of Mr. Finnie’s operations at Aroo- poocottah, 173; his transaction with Brokers, Chetties, and Agents, 175; improvident and helplessly in debt, 176; high prices demanded for seed Cotton,

INDEX.

180; their dealings with Dr. Wight, 213; the Marquis of Tweddale’s suggestion to estab- lish some model fields, 219; manufacturers should purchase directly from them, 221; assist- ance allowed from the Revenue establishment, 230; free use of the gin-house, 233; resume all the lands that Dr. Wight had contracted, 241; prices of Cottage saw gins to, 250; Mr. Thomas’ method to induce them to culti- vate American Cotton, 158; dis- cussion respecting the purchase of American Cotton, 260; cultivate American Cotton in Coimbatore, 264; their previous reluctance to cultivate American Cotton con- nected with the existence of Cot- ton farms, 265; their successful culture of American Cotton, 266; adopt Dr. Wight’s practice of cultivation, 268 ; their groundless suspicions an injury to the farms, 285; their method of preparing the Cotton seed, 308.

Ryotwary system, 13; its advant- ages, 14.

Salem, 9; introduction of Bourbon Cotton, 33; arrival of the Plant- ers, 38; failure of the culture of Brazilian Cotton by Mr. Fischer, 299; extent of land under Cotton cultivation, 353.

Saw gin, American, description of, 26; trial, 34, 45; reluctance of the Ryots to adopt it, 85, 130; Mr. Finnie’s first year’s proceed- ings, 141; second year’s proceed- ings, 163 ; its unfitness for Indian Cotton, 170; erection of three at Aroopoocottah, 173 ; necessity for improving the construction, 182 ; Mr. Finnie’s third year’s opera- tions, 187; cost of cleaning Cot- ton, 188; Mr. Finnie’s matured

_ judgment against its use, 204; Dr. Wight’s opinion, 210; Mr. Finnie’s last opinion, 238.

Saw gin, Dharwar, favourable re- ports, 252; its working compared, 253.

Saw gin, Manchester Cottage, note to 26; description, 245; its trial upon various Cottons, 247; ex- penses, 248; Dr. Wight’s favour- able report, 249; prices to Natives and Europeans, 250; its working compared, 253; cost of labour, 254,

Saw gin, Whitney’s, note to 26.

Scinde, 229.

Scraping—See Hoeing.

Sea Island Cotton, 20; places where

Mr. Morris, 40; manner of sow- ing, 49; treated as a biennial plant in Egypt, 64; Mr. Finnie’s opinion about its growth in Tin- nevelly, 127 ; Directors send some seed, 235; Dr. Wight cultivates by irrigation, 242; successful cul- tivation on the Coromandel Coast, 279.

| Sedashegur river, 365.

Senna, Mr. Hughes’, 33.

Sevacausey, Mr. Finnie’s planting

- operations failed, 161; erection of a cattle-driving machinery, 167; sanction for the erection of a gin- house, 171 ; unsuccessful culture of American Cotton, 185; Cotton plantation established by Mr. Fin- nie, 203; gin-house and driving machinery erected, 207 ; Mr. Fin- nie’s opinion concerning the gins, 238.

Sherman, Mr. Henry, succeeds Mr. Hawley, 46; exchanges Cotton farm with Mr. Morris, note to 65 ;

| Sir H. Pottinger directs him to be placed at the disposal of the Col-

lector of Coimbatore, 232.

Shevel Soil—See Red Soil.

Shubrick, Mr., his successful cultiva- tion of the Egyptian varieties, 298.

Silver, Mr., his report upon Cotton

cultivation in ‘Tinnevelly, 326;

his replies to the queries of Sir

W. Denison, 327.

INDEX.

lxv

Simpson, Mr., comes to Madras, 35 ; sent to Tinnevelly, 37; removed to Coimbatore, 39; his report on the districts of North Canara, 76 ; his opinion in the failure of the Coimbatore farms to extend the culture of American Cotton, 79 ; recommends the appointment of a practical person to distribute seeds and exhibit gins, 80; his suggest- lons approved, 81; his transfer to Bombay, ib.; his opinion about Kunkur, note to 113; is permit- ted to act as Cotton Agent by the Bombay Government, 139.

it is cultivated, 21; opinion of | Sirsee, Mr. Simpson proceeds to, 76.

Soondah, Mr. Simpson ordered to report on the soil, 76; his report, 77.

Soopah, Mr. Simpson ordered to re- port 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 regards it, 280; method adopted in Madura, 310; in Tin- nevelly, 323; in Bellary, 336; in Cuddapah, 349.

Spinners, trial of the churkaed Cot- ton with the ginned, 216; object to the soft silky fibre of the New Orleans Cotton, 276.

Tanjore, 9; Capt. Lawford explains the experiment by irrigation to the Natives, 111; the Collector assists Dr, Wight in the planta- tion of American Cotton, 216; the Collector reports favourably upon the Cottage saw gin, 251; Colonel Lawford’s cultivation by irrigation, 256; Cotton imported from Madura and Tinnevelly, 303.

Taylor, Captain, refutes the object- ion raised against Bourbon Cot- ton, note to 36.

Taylor, Rev. W., note to 299.

Tennessee, 143.

lxvi

Tetley, Mr., reports upon samples of Cotton, 43, 45. |

Thomas, Mr. E. B., supports the re- commendation of Mr. Finnie’s to hand-threshers and presses, 191 ; believes that Cotton was not adul- terated by design, 192; recom- mends the cultivation of New Orleans Cotton, 193; delivered up all lands under cultivation to the Ryots, 241; his method to induce the Ryots to cultivate American Cotton, 258; his re- port upon Coimbatore, 354—362.

Thornhill, Mr., describes the stage of the Cotton experiment in Krist- na, 294.

Thresher, its description, 27; Mr. Finnie recommends its use, 131 ; his first year’s proceedings with it, 141; second year’s proceedings, 163; erection of one at Aroopoo- cottah, 173; Mr. Finnie’s third year’s operations, 187; cost of cleaning Cotton, 188.

Thresher, hand, recommended by Mr. Finnie, 190; sanctioned, 191; Sir Henry Pottinger sanctions the establishment, 225.

Tinnevelly, 9; description of the soil, 16 ; one of the principal Cot-

ton districts, 17 ; introduction of.

Bourbon Cotton, 33; trial of American saw gin, 34; establish- ment of a Cotton farm, ib. ; three American Planters located, 37; Planters removed, 38; proposed operations of the Planters, 86; Mr. Finnie despatched, 89; his first impressions of it, 127; amount of shipment of Cotton every year, 129; Madras Mer- chants establish Agents, 162; Mr. Finnie’s proposal for the erection of a gin-house and cattle driving machinery, 166; Mr. Finnie’s notes on the peculiarities of the Cotton trade, 175—178; stage of the Cotton experiments, 183; meeting of the Cotton Brokers, 187; no market or Agency required,

INDEX.

193; scarcity of timber, 207; good crops of Amerian Cotton obtained by Mr. Hughes, 211; hand threshers are allowed, 224; Mr. Finnie’s departure, 237; Mr. Lees’ cultivation, 259; discussion concerning the purchase of Ameri- | can Cotton from the Ryots, 260; Mr. Lees’ partial success, 280; failure of the experiment of | Egyptian Cotton by the Collector, 298; Cotton exported to Tanjore, 303; detailed report from Mr. Mayne, 313; of soil, 314—318; geology and topography, 319; climate, 320; seed, 321; charac- ter of the Cotton plant, 322; mode of cultivation, 323 ; manure, 324; diseases, 320.

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. 3

Travers, Mr., 302.

Trichindore, efforts of Messrs. Long- shaws, 281. . Trichinopoly, 9; quantity of Cotton

and mode of cultivation, 302.

Tuddey river, 368.

Turner, Mr. Aspinall, reports the opinions of the Manchester Asso- ciation regarding Mr. Finnie’s Cotton, 202.

Tuticorin, existence of Agency sys- tem, 193; consumption of good Cotton, 205; Jaffna driving ma- chinery bought, 207; the Agents report that good Cotton had been brought in abundance, 215; the principal sea-port, 313, 327.

Tweeddale, Marquis of, modifica- tion of the Cotton experiment, 28 ; succeeds Lord Elphinstone, 67 ; approves the suggestions of Mr. Simpson, 81; submits some queries to Dr. Wight, 82; is in favour of the reduction of assess- ment of lands under American Cotton cultivation, 122; submits

INDEX.

some queries to Mr. Finnie, 142; recommends Mr. Finnie’s visiting England, 186; is succeeded by Sir Henry Pottinger, 203, 210; his views upon the experimental farms, 218—221; purposes to es- tablish some model fields, 224.

United States, 92. Upland Cotton, 20, 127, 273.

Veppel soil, description, 316.

Vera Cruz, temperature of, 107.

Verdooputty, unsuccessful culture of American Cotton, 185.

Village Joint Rent System, 10; evils arising from it, 14 ; its dura- tion, 15.

Virginia, first trial of the growth of Cotton, 143.

Vizagapatam, 9; rate of assessment, note to 15; establishment of a

- Cotton farm, 34; insufficieney of the Cotton, 292; Cotton yarn im- ported from Calcutta, ib.

Wallajapet, Cotton imported from Bellary, 330.

Weavers, Native, their rivalry with Cotton manufacturers, 31; object to the soft silky fibre of the New Orleans Cotton, 276.

Wedderburn, Mr., reports on the present state of Cotton cultivation in Cuddapah, 242.

Weeds, manner of removing, 52, 53 ; found in Cuddapah, 346.

West Indian Cotton—See Bourbon Cotton.

White Cotton, 331.

Whitney’s saw gin, note to 26; its working, 31.

Wight, Dr., 28; appointed to re- port on the state of agriculture in South India, 34; succeeds Capt. Hughes, 41; his plan of opera- tions, 44; his tour through Coim- batore District, ib.; draws up notes upon American system of culture, 48; his remarks upon hoeing, 51; upon ploughing and

be a a AB aN SA Spe aS : sis

Ixvil

ridging, 54; upon the growth of several plants, 56; his Cotton meets the approbation of the Di- rectors, 57; points out the causes of the unfavourable results of his third season, 62; his experiment of treating the Cotton plant as a biennial, 64; determines to re- move his farms, 66; his opinion upon the localities bordering Dharwar, 76; his answers to the queries of the Marquis of Tweed- dale, 82; his new Cotton farms in Coimbatore, 90; his reply to the suggestion of the Manchester Association, 98; his notes on the adaptation of the American plant to the Indian seasons, 95, 118; his plan for extending American culture among the Kyots, 119; applies for the reduction of Assess- ment on lands under American Cotton cultivation, 121; proposes to establish a number of small farms at Coimbatore, 125; his labours compared with those of Mr. Finnie, 126; sends saw gins to Mr. Finnie, 131; requests the Madras Government to order Mr. Finnie to assist him in completing the Directors’ order, 138 ; supports Mr. Finnie in the purchase of cattle driving machinery, 167; recommend. to Mr. Finnie the Ceylon Machinery, 169; his re- port on Mr. Finnie’s sample, 198 ; his system of purchase compared with that of Mr. Finnie, 200; breach between him and Mr. Fin- nie, 210; recommends the re- moval of Mr. Finnie, 211; ap- proves of Mr. Finnie’s proceed- ings, 214; his explanations to Mr. Finnie, 216; ascribes the fail- ure in Coimbatore to the want of humidity, 229; the East Indian lads under him ordered to go to Tinnevelly, 231; Sir H. Pottin- ger directs him to break up his establishment in Coimbatore, 232 ; yisits Madras, 235; applies to be

Ixvill

permitted to sow and gather one crop more, 236; reversal of the order of Sir H. Pottinger by the Directors respecting him, 237, 239, 240; cultivates. American Cotton by irrigation, 242; post- ponement of his report, 243; re- _ports favourably upon the Cottage saw gin, 249 ; compares the work- ing of Dharwar gin, Cottage gin, and hand gin, 253 ; forwards the application of Mr. Bird to Govern- ment, 260; completion of his final report, 262; his final report, 263, 281; his report condemned by the Madras Government, 282 ; his protest against the conclusions of the Madras Government, 284 ; his retirement, 287. Wool, Cotton, growing demand, 31; statistics of the importation, ib. ; supplies from the Godavery Dis-

INDEX.

trict, 34; amount produced by Dr. Wight, 63; comparative pro.

duce, 83; difficulty of the Natives in procuring, 277; its weight in Madura, 310; in Tinnevelly, 328 ;

in Bellary, 336.

Wroughton, Mr., his experiment at Coimbatore, and Ootacamund, 66 ; causes of the success of the Cot-. ton experiment, 67; cost of culti- vation incurred, 74; his success upon sandy brown loams, 90; in- forms Dr. Wight of the offered remission of reduction in 1833, 121; goes to Europe, 257.

Zemindars, account of, 12 ; purchase two gins, 164.

Zemindary lands, 15.

Zemindary sy stem, 12; objections against it, 423 evils arising from it, 14.

THE END.

JOHN CHILDS AND SON,

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