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three months' consumption, importing annually from 

 7000 to 8000 quarters of grain, and sending many 

 cattle to the sister-island. In 1801 the value of 

 the raw cotton produced in Malfca was about half 

 a million sterling. The Civil War in America gave 

 a considerable impetus to the cultivation of cotton, 

 and the crop amounted to more than three hund- 

 red tons, but the invention of new machinery and 

 the competition of Egyptian cotton have of late 

 years caused prices to decline. Both the white and 

 dark nankeen varieties are cultivated. The seed is 

 sown at the end of April, the plant flowers in 

 August, and the crop is gathered in September. 

 Cotton thrives well, is sown as a second crop, pro- 

 vides seed for fattening cattle, gives employment 

 to numerous families, and is principally cultivated 

 near Citta Vecchia, Zebbng, Siggieui, Zeituu, Lia, 

 Balzan, and Tarxien. Land in Malta belongs to 

 the Church, the Government, and about 2000 pri- 

 vate individuals in almost equal proportions. The 

 farms are often let on lease for 4 or 8 years, and some- 

 times longer. Government leases are usually for a 

 longer period than others, and waste open spaces 

 have been largely sold to tenants for small sums, 

 to be brought under cultivation. The implements in use 

 are truly primitive, and may almost be styled Ad- 

 amitic. Ploughs, which are of the most simple 

 construction, can be carried home on a man's shoulder, 

 and are drawn by cows, asses, oxen, or mules. The 



