1844-45.] MR. WROUGHTON'S SUCCESSFUL CULTURE, 49 



vernor of the Madras Presidency. The Marquis of Tweed- CHAP. 



dale is well known as a practical agriculturist, and natu 



rallv took a deep personal interest in the cultivation of Consuita. 



J tion, 2nd 



Cotton in this Presidency. Accordingly, the Madras Go- Apni me. 

 vernment at once called upon Mr. Wroughton, to explain 

 the circumstances which led him to select the particular 

 lands ; as well as the cost and method of his culture, with 

 any particulars which would serve to illustrate the causes of 

 his success. Mr. Wroughton ascribed his success generally 

 to two conditions, which he considered to be absolutely es- 

 sential in the cultivation of American Cotton ; namely, the 1846. pari, 

 influence of the two monsoons, and the effect of an earlier (i847)p.io9. 

 sowing than is practised by the Natives. 



1st, Influence of both monsoons, The peculiar influ- 68 

 ence of both monsoons has already been described ; as well 

 as the physical formation of the Western Ghauts, through see para. 7. 

 which the South-west monsoon rushes at intervals, and 

 thus affords certain tracts of country the benefit of both 

 monsoons. This is the case at Courtallum in Tinnevelly; 

 it is also the case over a very large tract of country at the 

 Paulghautcherry Pass in the district of Coimbatore ; and it 

 appears also to be the case in the neighbourhood of Oota- 

 camund. In this particular Mr. Wroughton enjoyed an ad- 

 vantage over Dr. Wight. The Farms of Coimbatore were shut 

 out from the South-west rains by ranges of hills which at- 

 tracted the clouds. Mr. Wroughton however chose the neigh- 

 bourhood of Ootacamund, where the country enjoyed the be- 

 nefit of both monsoons. Here he selected an inferior land on 

 purpose ; inasmuch as waste lands of the same quality pre- 

 vail to an extent out of all proportion to the better and 

 more expensive kinds, and he was naturally anxious to 

 ascertain if a profitable return could be secured from such 

 a soil ; and, as we have already seen, the out-turn which 

 followed, exceeded his most sanguine expectations. 



