268 



of the East, to furnish the results of their observations on 

 the subject : 



<To 



<u Questions of some importance to the country hare 

 arisen, which it is desirable should be solved by the 

 opinions of manufacturers as well as planters. 1. Has 

 the staple of American cotton deteriorated in quality 

 within the last twelve years ? If so, (2) to what cause 

 is it attributable ? 



" ' It has been suggested that deterioration is traceable to 

 certain phases of the cotton market, which induce planters 

 to study quantity rather than quality ; that dealers do 

 not judiciously discriminate between qualities in fixing 

 the price. To aid this Department in the investigation 

 of the subject for the benefit of manufacturers and 

 planters, I will be obliged to you for your opinions, 

 predicated upon your experience and observation of the 

 subject. I am, most respectfully, your obedient servant, 



' FREDK. WATTS, 



Commissioner of Agriculture.' 



" This circular was directed to fifty manufacturers of 

 the Eastern States, and to as many planters of the 

 Southern States ; and from very many of both classes 

 answers were received, satisfactorily showing that, while 

 the quality of cotton now brought to market is quite 

 inferior in condition to what was produced twelve years 

 ago, that condition is attributable to causes which do not 

 necessarily enter into the production or sale of the com- 

 modity. It seems to be very clear that the present pro- 

 duction is, in a large measure, in the hands, and under 

 the direction, of a less intelligent class of planters, who 

 do not appreciate the importance of a judicious selection 



