83 



India. The Association actually spent over 3,000 in India, 

 viz., half of the cost of some practical experiments with tree or 

 perennial cotton, which unfortunately were not successful. Its 

 principal work as far as India is concerned now consists of 

 reporting on samples and advising on technical points in con- 

 nection with cotton, but in 1904 representations were made to 

 the Government of India which have led to important results. 

 The principal steps then recommended by the Association were 

 as follows: 



(a) The establishment of farms for experimental work and 

 raising supplies of pure seed. 



(b) The strengthening of the Agricultural Department and 

 the establishment of special branches for dealing with cotton. 



(c) The organization of agricultural banks. 



(d) A botanical and commercial survey of the indigenous 

 varieties in the various districts. 



The Association subsequently offered to establish buying and 

 ginning stations in Sind in co-operation with the Government, 

 but this offer was not accepted. 



West Indies. The Association has made several grants to 

 the West Indies for payment of experts, erection of machinery, 

 etc., and works in co-operation with the Imperial Department 

 of Agriculture. It superintends the sale of the cotton, and also 

 finances and insures shipments, and the planter who consigns 

 his cotton to the Association can depend on obtaining the best 

 possible price. Sea Island cotton of the very highest class is 

 grown and the crop amounts to about 6,000 bales per annum, 

 which is all that is required at present. 



West Africa. As there were ruo cotton -experts on the staffs 

 of the Agricultural Departments, the Association originally 

 carried on the scientific as well as the commercial work, 

 and its experiments with exotic seed were very successful. 

 The scientific work is now carried on by the governments, 

 and the Association purchases the cotton from the natives with 

 the co-operation of the merchants. The Association has also 

 erected large baling and ginning factories in various parts of 

 Africa. Cotton growing in West Africa is carried on solely 

 as a native industry, and the Association endeavours to get 

 into as close touch as possible with the producer and so ensures 

 that he receives the highest possible price. The Association 

 has absolute control over the supply of seed for sowing, and in 

 consequence of selection by it Lagos cotton is to-day the most 

 regular and even in quality of any cotton produced in any part 

 of the world. West African cotton can, however, be improved, 

 as it is rather short and rough and gives only about 27 per 

 cent, of lint, but it is remarkably strong. It would be an 

 advantage if a variety could be established of a rather longer, 



