COTTON 145 



the Association 6,500 per annum, and the Association 

 undertook to spend 10,000 annually in each of the three 

 Colonies on experimental work. 



The result of the work on these experimental farms 

 proved that, regarded as plantations from a commercial 

 point of view, they would not pay. The results of the 

 experiments were published in pamphlet form by the 

 Association, and the main point which was proved was 

 that after a certain number of years exotic cottons could 

 be established so as to give satisfactory results, and some 

 of the best crops were obtained from imported Upland 

 American seed after it had been thoroughly established. 

 At the same time let me point out that in the early stages 

 of. the industry it is extremely dangerous to distribute 

 broadcast large quantities of exotic seed which have not 

 been established, and it is better to commence with local 

 varieties. If the quality of these is unsatisfactory, they 

 can subsequently be replaced by exotic cottons after the 

 same have been thoroughly proved and established. 



It is difficult to say whether the methods of cultiva- 

 tion practised by the natives can be improved upon. They 

 are the result of long experience, and nothing but practical 

 proof of other methods would justify one in persuading the 

 natives to abandon the methods which many years' ex- 

 perience has shown to give the best results. 



One thing is quite certain, and that is that the dis- 

 tribution of seed should either be in the hands of the 

 Government or under Government control, and the Asso- 

 ciation have on frequent occasions made representations 

 to the Colonial Office to this effect. 



As it was found to be unwise to distribute exotic 

 seed the Association endeavoured to improve the local 

 varieties by selection, and this was done in bulk in perhaps 

 rather a rough and ready way at the ginneries. Samples of 

 each lot of cotton were sent home, and instructions 

 were sent out to reserve certain lots for sowing 

 purposes, and either to destroy or ship home the 

 seed from undesirable cotton. This may not be a very 

 scientific method, but in Lagos the results have been most 

 satisfactory. The Association have absolute control over 

 the distribution of seed, and I should also add have to 

 bear the cost of the same. In the early days there was 

 great variation in quality some of the cotton was worth 

 one-farthing per Ib. more than Middling American, and 

 some was difficult to sell at id. below contracts, a differ- 

 ence of i l /4.d. per Ib. To-day Lagos cotton is the most 



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