84 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1845 40. 



CHAP, offers of high prices. Whilst Native Cotton was sold to him 



! at the gin house for eight annas (or one shilling) a maund 



of 25 Ibs., he had announced that he was prepared to purchase 

 all first class New Orleans Cotton at double the price, that is 

 at one rupee (or two shillings) per maund. But still the 

 Natives were so averse to depart from their established cus- 

 toms, that he had only been able to persuade a small number 

 to cultivate the foreign plant. At the same time the Cotton 

 markets in Coimbatore had been so sparingly supplied with 

 purchasers during the two previous seasons, that but for the 

 Court's order for 6,000 bales of gin cleaned Native Cotton, 

 the trade must have been almost at a stand still.* Under 

 such circumstances, Dr. Wight seriously thought of pro- 

 claiming throughout the district, that for the future he 

 should only buy American Cotton ; and that he was pre- 

 pared to purchase all of that description which might be 

 offered for sale. He was aware that there were strong ob- 

 jections to this course ; but whilst so many Ryots offered 

 their Cotton for sale at his gin house before they took it 

 elsewhere, he considered that the plan might be attended 

 With beneficial results. These explanations, he trusted, 

 would prove that the failure to induce the Ryots to culti- 

 vate American Cotton did not arise from any want of en- 

 couragement, as a ready market and high prices were offer- 

 ed to all comers. 



125 Contemplated establishment of a number of small 

 Dr wilt's Farms. In the early part of 1849, Dr. Wight consider- 

 jan! r> im. e( i f a new pl an f r extending the cultivation of the 

 turn (ill?) American Cotton amongst the Natives. The principles 



p. 189. 



* It seems not improbable that Dr. Wight had himself kept the Native 

 purchasers out of the Coimbatore markets. At Dr. Wight's gin house the 

 Ryot could obtain a ready sale, liberal prices, and immediate payment for 

 Native Cotton. It was not therefore likely that the Merchants would care 

 to compete with so formidable a rival. They would rather purchase else 

 where, and leave the field open to Dr. Wight. 



