H. MARTIN LFAKE AND RAM PER.SHAl). K'/ 



uuder the very difterent conditions which obtain in Persia cannot 

 be estimated. Nevertheless there appear to be certain well 

 defined features which call for comment, and, bearing in mind 

 the limitations imposed, may be detailed here. 



As has been noted above, there are two distinct groups of 

 cottons, one of which may be termed the indigenous group. 

 Though composed of various sub-groups or types, the.se have 

 certain characters in common, a fact which receives recognition 

 in their association under the same specific name, (j. herhaceum. 

 One of these characters is to be found in the manner in which 

 the fruits ripen. When the boll opens, the segments of the fruit 

 part and the cotton pi'otrudes through the opening thus made. 

 In all the herhaceum forms of cotton this opening is slight and 

 the protrusion of cotton consequently small. The cotton is, 

 therefore, with difficulty gathered in a clean state. Usually it is 

 accompanied by a large amount of ' dirt,' consisting of the 

 withered bracts and carpel walls, owing to the presence of which 

 the market value of the cotton is much reduced. The extent of 

 this depreciation and the advantage of clean picking are indicated 

 by the following report on two samples of lint sent by H. B. M.'s 

 Consul for Arabistan and which were kindly valued by the 

 Manager of the Cawnpore Cotton Mills. Both samples belong 

 to cottons of this series. 



" A. This is a good cotton, has a fine silky fibre and is fairly even and stront;, it will 

 spin successfully i6's to 20's. If it was free from leaf, it would to-day sell at 34/to 35/- 

 per 100 lbs. at Cawnpore ; its present value is about 32/ to 33/ per 100 lbs." 



" B. This is very dirty cotton and has some stained and damaged fibre in it. The 

 spinning qualities of the fibre are fairly good and they are better than Bengals. Counts 

 from 12's to 16's could be spun from it. If the cotton was clean, it would to-day be 

 worth 30/ to 32/ per 100 lbs. in Cawnpore ; in its dirty state it would sell for 23/ to 

 24/- per 100 lbs." 



In the latter case there is, therefore, a depreciation of about 

 25 per cent, in value due to dirt. 



There is, as above shown, a considerable variation in the 

 habit of the diiferent types and, in as much as in a cHmate with 



