104 REPOB.T OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 



as the tracts in which some of the depots were opened in 

 previous years had now become pure Karunganni tracts. 



Very gratifying evidence is now forthcoming to show 

 the value of this crop to the cotton trade of the district. 

 In two cases, new ginning factories have been opened by 

 export firms, in localities where pure Karunganni has been 

 introduced on account of the fine quality of cotton now 

 obtainable there. 



The large distribution of seed by the Department has 

 made the Tuticorin Circle practically a pure Karunganni 

 tract. Messrs. Volkart Brothers write : — " We have during 

 the last few years noticed that a relatively very good cotton 

 is received from places near Koilpatti, including the rail- 

 way stations of Nalaturputtur, Kumarapuram and Kadam- 

 bar. We have no hesitation in concluding that your ex- 

 periment has been highly satisfactory in its results. The 

 cotton from these places fetches a better price and is better 

 liked by spinners both in Europe and the East than the 

 bulk of Tinnevellies which are marketed further north at 

 Virudupatti, etc." 



Messrs. Ralli Brothers also state that there has been a 

 marked improvement in the quality of Tinnevelly cotton 

 during the last few years, especially in the Tuticorin 

 Circle. 



This independent evidence from the large buyers is most 

 encouraging as it shows that an appreciable improvement 

 can be effected in a short time to the whole crop of the 

 tract by the methods worked out by the Department. 



In the Northern Circle there was a keen demand for the 

 farm seed which gives better crops than the seed available 

 from the usual sources. 



There is also a large demand for Cambodia seed, but 

 this season there is a disquieting report to the effect that 

 it has deteriorated in staple so that manufacturers cannot 

 spin the usual counts from it. An enquiry into this matter 

 has already been instituted. 



