COTTON TEXTILES IX FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 99 



business here, has at my request favored me with some observations on 

 the subject under review, which I submit in conclusion, as follows : 



VICE-CONSUL FOSTER'S REPORT. 



Sheetings and shirting* are uo\v almost entirely European. American goods for- 

 merly eame here and were very much liked, but for some unknown reason they have 

 stopped. Have no doubt they could again be introduced, but it takes time. 



I trills. Drills are largely used. The Pepperell mills from America are the stand- 

 ard for this class of goods. They are imported largely and arc known all over India. 

 They have such a good name that the mark is closely imitated by some English man- 

 ufacturers. Other American brands of good quality could no doubt be introduced if 

 properly persevered in. 



Dholies. The cloths used by the natives are imported in immense quantities, and 

 it seems as if America might supply a portion. There are many qualities imported, at 

 a large range of prices. The low qualities are made from a cheap cotton, loosely 

 woven and heavily sized. The good qualities worn by the higher classes are much 

 more closely woven, of finer yarn, and are almost free from sizing. All these gdbds 

 come in pairs, but uncut. There is a stripe ou each selvage, sometimes plain, vary- 

 ing from one-half to three-fourths inch wide. There is also a narrow border across 

 the ends and across the uncut joining of the pair. 



The poorest quality comes 4 yards per pair, 21 inches wide, sixty -four and seventy- 

 two threads to the inch, and sells at present for about 9 cents per pair. From this 

 they vary in size, quality, and price up to a fine quality that comes 10 yards per pair, 

 44 inches wide, eighty-eight and ninety-six threads to the inch, and sells for about 

 64 to 65 cents per pair. Buyers are very particular as to the count of the threads, 

 but no stipulation of weight is made, and of course they are quite light. There are 

 some qualities even finer than the last mentioned, but they do not sell very freely. 

 All these goods are consumed entirely by natives, and they must be made strictly to 

 conform to their requirements as to size, thread, width, and color of border, and style 

 of packing. They all come unbleached, packed in iron-bound bales, varying from 

 two hundred to four hundred pieces per bale. 



To introduce any of the above goods requires time and perseverance. The native is 

 very conservative and is very slow to take up a new brand of any goods, but when 

 once established a well-known mark will sell for months ahead. Some attempts have 

 been made from time to time to introduce brands of American drills and shirtings, but 

 the shippers have been discouraged by the slow sales and poor prices and have dropped 

 it before the goods were well known. Any such new goods are sure to pay a loss at 

 first, but when well known will command a paying price. Many Americans have the 

 idea that this market may be made to take surplus goods that have gone out of date in 

 the home markets, or goods of which there happens to be an overstock at home. But 

 this is a mistake; the native will not take anything, no matter how cheap, if it is not 

 exactly according to his requirements. Neither is it any use to try to unload surplus 

 stocks of shirtings and sheetings on this market and then not ship any more for 

 months, or perhaps years, thus giving the brand time to be forgotten. 



There is no doubt that the superior quality of American cottons gives 

 them u preference here after they have become well known, and should 

 enable American mills to do a good business in this country. Prices at 

 present are very low, so low, indeed, that Manchester is unable to sell, 

 but that will be remedied as trade improves. 



B. F. BONHAM, 



Consul- General, 

 UNITED STATES CONSULATE-GENERAL, 



Calcutta, September 14, 1889. 



