192 EOT AN V. 



which in point of fineness surpasses the genuine Sea Is- 

 land cotton of N. America. 



"This improvement on the general staple of Pemambu- 

 co cotton might be reconciled had it been produced at a 

 distance from the sea, since it has been ascertained, that 

 this description of cotton deteriorates by proximity to the 

 sea ; whence your Committee are disposed to think that 

 Captain Macfarquhar has been led into errour in calling 

 it South sea Island instead of Sea Island." 



Admitting that Captain Macfarquhar was in errour, 

 which it is believed he was not, the report proves that an 

 article " finer and more silky," than the best American 

 cotton has been raised in these Provinces. The princi- 

 pal difficulty to the introduction of this species into ge- 

 neral cultivation was, as Mr. Blundell told me, that the 

 trees did not produce abundantly. 

 Goss i/pium acuminatum. 

 olcqcoDn bSlQOill. cWKcom 



SEA ISLAND COTTON. 



Sea Island cotton has been raised in these Provinces 

 by amateur cultivators, but I have never seen any report. 

 on the article obtained. " Bourbon cotton of Indian 

 growth," says Wight, " has sold in the London markets 

 for the 'highest prices going; " and, as the Bourbon plant 

 is the original Sea Island acclimatized to the East, the 

 cultivator 3 would have a stronger probability of success by 

 obtaining his seed from Bourbon, than from America. 

 Much attention should also be given to the selection of a 

 proper soil. Analysis has shown that all the lands on which 

 cotton is orown in India, differ widely in their constituent 

 parts from the best cotton lands of America. The 

 subject is still in its infancy, more extensive ana- 

 lysis being required; "but it seems at present," ob- 

 serves Mr. Piddington, " that the abundance and fineness 

 of good cottons depend on the quantity of carbon in the 

 soif, and the solubility of that carbon. If therefore, you 

 can obtain a soil approaching the American soils, that is, 

 containing peaty matter, lignite, and colouring cold 

 water, this will no doubt be the best ; because it contains 



