418 



was somewhat less than 150,000 bales, of 550 pounds each; in 1864-'65 the 

 crop amounted to 440,000 bales, of 500 pounds each; in 1865-'66 the crop was 

 reduced one-third to one-half by a very bad season and a murrain among the 

 cuttle; but the crop of 1866-'67, now coming to market, is estimated at from 

 500,000 to 600,000 bales. Yet, notwithstanding the increased supply, the price 

 is now relatively much higher than that of New Orleans or Texas cotton, with 

 which it used to keep about even, and sometimes sold for less. On the 20th of 

 September last, the quotations in Liverpool for middling to middling fair New 

 Orleans and Texas cotton were 14 to 16 pence, (28 to 32 cents in gold,) while 

 the corresponding grades of Egyptian, called good fair to good, were 20^ to 22.J 

 pence, (41 to 45 cents in ggld,) and the fine quality, corresponding to our fair, 

 was quoted at 26 pence, or 52 cents in gold. 



The reason for this change in relative value is that during the scarcity of 

 American cotton much attention has been given to the proper adaptation of 

 machinery to other staples, and that during the last two years, the patent having 

 expired upon the best combing machine yet invented abroad for combing worsted, 

 its price has been reduced from c£700 to 66200 or less, and it has been adapted 

 to the combing of cottons of the type of Egyptian and Brazilian, and also to 

 combing our New Orleans and Texas cottons. 



In this country a new comber has lately been invented or perfected for the 

 same purpose, which is said to be cheaper and more effective than the best for- 

 eign machine. 



It may here be stated, for the information of those not familiar with the sub- 

 ject, that worsted is simply wool from which the short fibre has been removed 

 by combing ;.the residue or long fibre, being of almost absolutely unif irm length, 

 is of course capable of being spun into a much stronger and more even thread than 

 can be spun from carded wool — the wools usually subjected to this process being 

 those which have a lustre like those produced by the Cotswold and Leicester 

 breeds of sheep. 



The process of combing when applied to cotton removes all the short fibre 

 which the common card would leave. The short fibre is used for the filling or 

 weft of common fabric, and the long fibre, which in Egyptian cotton will range 

 from one and one-fourth to two inches in length, is used for the spinning of thread 

 and of warps, and for very fine fabrics. It is alleged that a single i bread made 

 from combed cotton is stronger than a double thread of the same size made from 

 carded cotton. The cheapness and good quality of the warps thus made have 

 greatly extended their use, and the fact is beginning to be appreciated that many 

 flannels, worsted fabrics, broadcloths, &;c , made from a cotton vi^arp and wool 

 filling are much better and more serviceable than goods of the same weight com- 

 posed entirely of wool or worsted. 



Having thus demonstrated the value of the Egyptian staple, h remains to be 

 considered what this country should do in securing to itself the power to supply 

 this or a similar variety, coming in as it does between our New Orleans green- 

 seed and our sea-island, or black seed. I have therefore compiled such infor- 

 mation upon the subject as I believe may be valuable, which must be taken for 

 what it is worth, as I have never even seen a cotton field, and have no knowl- 

 edge except such as I have derived from books. 



Cotton, or the variety called Belledi, is indigenous in Egypt, but the variety 

 now cultivated, called Tnmel Maki, was first discovered by a Frenchman named 

 Tumel, in 1819, growing in the garden of IMaho Bey, in Cairo. Maho Bey had 

 been the governor of Dongola or iSennaar, whence he is supposed to have brought 

 the seed. 



It is a black-seed variety, producing a staple from one to two inches in length, 

 very strong, but not so fine as our sea-ii^land variety. The fibre does not adhere 

 to the seed, and it is easily ginned upon the Macarthy gin. The plant is much 

 larger and more prolific than the sea-island, but whether it is more hardy or 



