fr COTTON IN THE HABEAS PRESIDENCY. [1845 49. 



CHAP, gates itself; thus showing that its seeds ought to be 

 _ in the ground at the commencement of the rains, a sea- 



son which corresponds in the district of Coimbatore to the 

 commencement of the South-west monsoon in the month of 

 May. Again, the New Orleans plant reaches its greatest 

 perfection, and yields the best staple, in the low lands of 

 tropical Mexico. When taken from the tropics and grown 

 in the low lands of the United States, its staple is somewhat 

 impaired, but still is better than Dr. Wight's Cotton ; in other 

 words, it is rather longer, more silky, and less harsh. Why 

 not then sow New Orleans Cotton in India at a season, cor- 

 responding to its own spontaneous sowing season in Mexico? 

 and why not sow it on low lands near the coast, correspond- 

 ing to the low lands where it reaches its greatest perfection ? 



93 Dr. Wight's reply : July is the best time for sowing. 



Dr. Wight replied to the following effect. Before sowing, 

 Dr. wight's the land must be ploughed ; and the ploughing cannot be 

 rlrKHSl carr i e( l ou ^ until some copious showers have fallen to soften 

 and loosen the hard, sun-baked, and impenetrable soil. The 

 present Farms in Coimbatore enjoy the benefit of both mon- 

 soons. The South-west rains rarely commence before the 

 middle of May ; and then the ploughing begins, and lasts 

 for a month or six weeks. Consequently it is impossible to 

 sow before July. But if we take the North-east monsoon 

 into consideration, we shall see that the middle of July is 

 after all the best sowing time. The plant is of rapid growth, 

 requiring humid weather whilst growing, and dry clear 

 weather whilst maturing. If sown in July it comes into 

 flower about October, when the North-east rains invigorate 

 it, and the subsequent dry season matures it. If sown ear- 

 lier, the Cotton bolls are maturing at the very time when 

 the rains are beginning. The consequence is that the plant 

 is surcharged with sap ; and then the Cotton, instead of 

 (maturing, absorbs the sap and rots in the capsule. 



