IV PREFACE. 



that I think I have so far succeeded in the task I undertook, 

 as to have given you all the most important knowledge which 

 has been arrived at, with reference to the culture, consump~ 

 tion, and trade of one of the most important staples produced 

 in the wide fields of agricultural labor. Not only is this an 

 important book to the cotton planter, but to almost every 

 class it will bear knowledge which it will be useful to have. 

 The general reader will find in its pages many things with 

 which he would be pleased to be acquainted. 



This book is divided into eight chapters, as follows : 



I. THE ORDINARY METHODS OF COTTON CULTURE. 

 II. DR. N. B, CLOUD'S IMPROVED SYSTEM OF COTTON 

 CULTURE. 



III. THE NATURAL HISTORY OF COTTON ITS SPECIES 



AND VARIETIES, 



IV. DISEASES AND INSECTS DESTRUCTIVE OF GROWTH 



OF COTTON. 



V. ANALYSES OF THE COTTON PLANT, WITH SUGGESTIONS 

 AS TO MANURES, ETC. 



VI. THE CONSUMPTION OF COTTON USES OF THE VARI- 

 OUS PARTS OF THE PLANT THE COTTON TRADE 



FROM 1825 TO 1850. BY PROF. McKAY. 

 VII. THE COTTON TRADE FROM 1850 TO 1855. 

 VIII, HISTORY OF COTTON AND THE COTTON Gi\. 



In a compilation such as this, it will not be surprising if 

 the different chapters sometimes run into each other ; that is, 



