91 



CHAP. 

 IV. 



CHAPTER XV. 



FOUR YEARS OF EXPERIMENTAL CULTURE UNDER 



MB. FINNIE IN TINNEVELLY. 



1845 TO 1849. 



Labours of Mr. Finnie and Dr. Wight com- 126 

 pared. In the two preceding chapters, we have seen Dr. 

 Wight engaged in Coimbatore in endeavouring, by successive 

 experiments, to lay down the true principles of Cotton cul- 

 ture in the Madras Presidency ; and also in endeavouring, 

 by large purchases from the neighbouring Ryots, to fulfil 

 the order of the Court of Directors for GOOO bales of ginned 

 East India Cotton. Meantime, that is during the second 

 period of four years extending between 1845 and 1849, Mr. 

 Finnie had been engaged in a totally different line of ope- 

 rations in the South. From the very first, the latter 

 gentleman evidently had no heart in the efforts that were 

 being made to introduce the cultivation of American Cotton, 

 and the use of the American Machinery, into this Presi- 

 dency ; but whether he acted from a sincere conviction of 

 their inutility, or whether, as a patriotic American Planter, 

 he systematically endeavoured to throw cold water upon 

 the objects in view, must be entirely left to the judgment 

 of the reader. It will be sufficient to say that, as regarded 

 both the New Orleans plant and the saw gin, he did as little 

 as he possibly could ; and that, if he exerted himself at all, 

 it was chiefly to vaunt the Native Cotton and the Madras 

 churka. in other respects however, the narrative of his 

 labours will prove highly valuable. As a Planter, he pos- 

 sessed a practical knowledge of American Cotton cultivation 

 as it was carried on in the Southern States; whilst during 

 his residence in India, he had familiarised himself to a con- 



