48 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [4iH. SEASON. 



CHAP. General result of the four Seasons of the experimen- 

 ! tal Farms: necessity for a rotation of crops. The four 



66 successive seasons of experiments fully established the neces- 

 sity for a methodical rotation of crops. The first year the 

 Farm at Coiinbatore produced a larger crop than the 

 second, notwithstanding a great proportion was destroy- 

 ed by the stormy weather. Again, the second season 

 produced a larger crop than the third, though the 

 ground had not been so well prepared. This conclu- 

 sion was further strengthened by an experiment made by 

 Mr. Wroughton the Collector at Coiinbatore. At the com- 

 mencement of the fourth season Mr. Wroughton had select- 

 ed a field at Ootacamund, which possessed no peculiarity of 

 soil, but which had not been cultivated for many years. 

 This field was ploughed by the Natives in the Native 

 fashion, but sown and cultivated according to the American 

 method. The situation derived but little advantage from 

 the climate, for though it participated in the benefits of 

 both the South-west and Nort h-east monsoons, yet during 

 that season both monsoons were unusually light. The 

 result, however, was a crop averaging nearly 1,100 Ibs, per 

 acre, of which the greater part proved to be of excellent 

 quality. This extraordinary out-turn far exceeded any 

 thing which Dr. Wight and his Planters had been able to 

 obtain, with all their labour and pains in cultivation. Ac- 

 cordingly Dr. Wight determined on removing his Farms 

 and cultivating fresh soil. 



67 Causes of the success of Mr, Wr ought on 's Cotton 

 experiment. Before proceeding further, it may be as well 

 to remark that, in the latter part of 1842, Lord Elphinstone 

 had been succeeded by the Marquis of Tweeddale, as Go- 

 part of the second season 1842-43, he exchanged Farms with Mr. Sherman. 

 Thus Mr. Morris became located at Coorchee, and Mr. Sherman at Oodoo- 

 mulcottah. 



