645 



StnfiMies of corn, wheat, and oafs. — The following summary has been 

 compiled from the tables given in the bulletin: 



Cotton imports of the United States. — "Our official trade records show 

 that during the 10 years, from 1880 to 1889, inclu.sive, our imports of 

 raw cotton ranged from 4,000,000 to 8,000,000 pounds, with a valuation 

 running from 13.5 to 20 cents per pound." 



The preliminary returns for 1891 show a very large increase in this 

 importation, which it is estimated will reach 20,008,817 pounds, valued 

 at $2,825,004 at 13.5 cents per pound. 



Much the larger proportion of the imports are made up of Egyptian cotton. 

 Peruvian cotton, either from Peru or Brazil, is second in importance, and in addition 

 small quantities are received from China, the East Indies, and other miscellaneous 

 sources. * * * The peculiarity of the Egyptian fiber is its smoothness, brilliancy 

 of color, luster, and silky nature of the staple. It is used by itself mostly in the man- 

 ufacture of fine hosiery (Balbriggau, etc.) and fine fabrics, and also in mixtures for 

 fabrics composed partly of silk and wool, in great variety. The staple is long and 

 fine, but in these qualities does not equal our home-grown sea-island cotton. * * * 



The Egyptian fiber, it is claimed, receives and retains in original brilliancy the 

 different dyes more readily than any other grade. 



