MALVACEAE. 75 



from what they now do, since they have ceased to be cultivated, 

 and allowed to grow in a state of nature. I am inclined to the 

 opinion, that the numerous sorts of cotton we meet with, are 

 properly but varieties of one species, and hence, the characters, 

 by which it has been attempted to distinguish them, are so va- 

 riable, and so little to be relied on. 



The cotton shrub appears to be indigenous to this Island, as 

 well as to all the tropical regions of the Old and the New 

 World. It was cultivated in India, and the woolly fibres were 

 spun and woven into muslins of the finest fabrics, long ere even 

 the existence of the plant was known to Europeans. The in- 

 habitants of Africa also appear to have been acquainted with 

 the manufacture of it into cloth ; and a coarse cotton cloth 

 forms, even now, part of the trade from the interior. Colum- 

 bus found the Aborigines of St Domingo naked, with the 

 exception of a few who were possessed of a piece of cotton 

 cloth ; and in his second voyage, he is said to have brought, 

 from the West Indies, some cotton mantillas to Spain. It was 

 in Mexico, however, where the arts had made a considerable 

 progress previous to the arrival of the Spaniards, that cloth 

 manufactured from this material, was found in the most gene- 

 ral use. We are informed in Purchas, that the inhabitants 

 were clothed in mantles, " painted throughout with works of 

 diverse and fine colours ;" several cities are mentioned as paying 

 their tribute in cotton ; and a map was shown to Cortez, " of 

 woven cotton cloth, with the havens and harbours near New 

 Spain set forth in it." 



At present there is no cotton grown in this Island for the 

 purpose of exportation. At one time, however, it was an im- 

 portant article of cultivation. The cotton shrub grows best in 

 a light soil, especially in a limestone district, with a moderate 

 supply of moisture. In a stiff clay, or where there is a clay 

 bottom, it seldom thrives, and generally dies as soon as the root 

 has penetrated to a certain depth. It is found to be unproduc- 

 tive in a wet climate, from the flowers, although produced in 

 abundance, dropping off without forming the fruit. It is grown 

 from seed planted between the months of November and April. 

 The land is prepared, by cleaning it of weeds, and dig- 

 ging holes about 18 inches deep, and 12 inches wide, at a suffi- 

 cient distance to allow the plant free space to spread. About 

 12 seeds are planted in each hole, and covered lightly with 

 soil. Should the seasons be favourable, they will show above 

 ground in seven or eight days. The young plants are to be 

 carefully kept free of weeds, and repeatedly thinned, till one, 

 or in some cases two, of the healthiest and strongest is left. Very 

 little pruning is required. It is of the greatest importance 

 throughout the whole course of the cultivation, to keep down 

 the growth of weeds. This is the surest method of preserving 

 the plantation in health, and free from the attack of insects. It 



