42 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2xD. SEASON. 



CHAP. Native ploughs and American ploughs compared: 



L_ question of whether American Cotton would thrive 



54 without ridging, On ploughing and ridging, Dr. Wight 

 remarked that the Native ploughing was much less perfect 

 than the American ploughing, unless the land was gone 

 over several times. Again, the Native plough was not 

 adapted to ridging, and Mr. Morris considered that the 

 American plant would never thrive unless the land was 

 ridged. Dr. Wight, however, did not coincide in this 

 opinion ; and tried the experiment of doing without 

 ridging, the results of which will be found at para 62. 

 The subject deserved attention on account of the great dif- 

 ference of expense. The Native plough complete only costs 

 about twelve annas, or one shilling and sixpence ; and the 

 small country cattle, which would suffice to work it, could 

 be purchased at from ten rupees to fifteen rupees, or 20s. to 

 30s., per pair. On the other hand, the heavy American 

 plough, and the stronger cattle required to draw ifc, would 

 cost for the whole turn out, including harness, from seventy 

 to eighty rupees. Thus the Native plough and cattle might 

 be purchased for about twenty or thirty shillings, whilst the 

 American turn out would cost from seven to eight pounds. 



55 Results of the second Season on the Black, Red, 

 ht's and Alluvial soils, 1842-43.-To return to the main 

 "' im. narrative. The principal sowing for the second season 

 fu a nl'(i8i7)had taken place in August and early in September; 

 but a small portion was sown as early as July, and 

 some as late as October. The season proved unfavour- 

 able, in consequence of a heavy fall of rain in April, in the 

 height of the gathering season. Prior to this storm the ap- 

 pearance of the plant on the different soils was as follows. 

 On the Black lands it was generally small. On the Bed 

 land it was large and very healthy where the soil retained 

 moisture, but small where the soil was thin and dried 



