301 



At the same time many foreign varieties were tested; of the 

 latter, it can be definitely said that all the tree cottons failed 

 on extended trials, and of the exotic annual cottons only a 

 few are promising enough to be persevered with. So far as 

 our knowledge has taken us, ft appears that American cottons 

 of high quality can be grown successfully, in the irrigated 

 tracts of Sind, Punjab, and parts of United Provinces. In the 

 southern parts of the Madras Presidency, Southern Mahratta 

 country, and Northern Guzerat there is a strong possibility 

 that a variety of Upland from Cambodia will supply good 

 cotton. 



As regards the indigenous varieties, a precise knowledge of 

 these has brought to light the fact that few varieties exist pure 

 in any part of India, and the most valuable work done by the 

 Department so far has been in the separation and extension 

 of the best varieties in the mixtures. For instance, in the 

 Madras Presidency the Karanganni is now grown free from 

 the inferior admixture of the Uppam; in the Bengal areas the 

 white-flowered cottons, on account of their high yield and 

 hardiness, are ousting the other varieties in the mixtures. In 

 other parts of the country where pure varieties have been 

 found a certain amount of improvement has been effected in 

 the staple and ginning percentage; a certain amount of good 

 has also been effected by the substitution of superior for 

 inferior varieties in some districts. 



In conclusion, we learn that the purpose of the older experi- 

 ments was to benefit primarily the English market. The 

 present intention of the work in progress is to benefit the 

 people of the country, and to provide, if possible, a surplus 

 of higher quality for the use of foreign markets. 



THE INTRODUCTION OP AMERICAN COTTON INTO SIND 

 PROVINCE, INDIA. 



By G. S. HENDERSON, 



Deputy Director of Agriculture, Sind. 



* 



[ABSTRACT.] 



The cultivation of cotton in Sind has extended considerably 

 during the last few years, and the annual production is now 

 about 150,000 bales. The Sindhi variety yields a short, coarse, 

 strong cotton of good, bright colour, which realizes about 

 5^d. per Ib. with Middling American at 7'3od. per lb.; the 

 ginning yield is about 33 per cent. The method of cultivation 

 consists in sowing the cotton broadcast after irrigation, and 

 ploughing it in; subsequently, the crop receives no attention 

 except one or two hoeings and occasional irrigation. 



