154 THE DEVELOPMENT OF RAW COTTON 



no recondite study was necessary. Since A.D. 1900 the 

 situation has altered enormously. Fears of dependence 

 on the American crop in the event of a shortage, the 

 developing uses for strong cotton fabrics in modern light 

 and rapid instruments of locomotion, and the increasing 

 accessibility of the colonies, have all led to initial steps 

 in the development and control of raw cotton supplies, 

 and to their better utilization when obtained . 



To outline some of the principal ways in which these 

 developments can most efficiently and rapidly be made 



should be of some use, if it be remembered 

 Science. . . . , , , 



that the suggestions are based merely on 



the author's personal opinion. The greater part of such 

 development work is as yet but a stumbling attack on 

 the problems involved, wasteful of time and money. If 

 natural science is to take any concern in economic affairs, 

 it should at least be able to offer some suggestions of a 

 general nature which might facilitate the work of those 

 who are clearing jungle, digging canals in the desert, and 

 coping with the difficulties of administration, in order 

 that more and better cotton may be swallowed up by 

 the bale-breakers in the mills. 



In the first place, it should be clearly understood that 

 science must follow the financier in the first instance. If 



transport, labour, water, are only to be 

 Finance. , . , . , 



obtained at a high price, cotton-growing 



must be a failure as a business proposition. Moreover, 

 the scientific economist must follow close upon the 

 financier, for the hasty development of cotton-growing 

 in new country may lead to many troubles; the price 



