126 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [2ND. SEASON. 



be thus exhibited. The Ryot, is the planter who cultivates 

 the Cotton. The Broker is the Cotton cleaner, who takes 

 the Cotton from the Ryot and delivers it to the Chitty. 

 Again the Chitty is both merchant and banker: a merchant 

 so far as he contracts with the European Agents on the 

 coast for the delivery of so much Cotton at a certain price ; 

 and a banker so far as he makes advances to the Broker, 

 who again makes advances to the Ryot, for the purpose of 

 securing the Cotton crop when it is ready for delivery. 



176 The Ryot: improvident and helplessly in debt. 



The Ryot produces the Cotton of the country. He is always 

 as deep in the Broker's books, as his credit will permit ; 

 and consequently cannot stir without an advance from the 

 Broker on the security of the coming crop. Accordingly 

 the Broker first obtains an advance from the Chitty, who is 

 the monied man in all these transactions ; and then advances 

 to the Ryot. The Broker however must look sharply after 

 the Ryot, and see that he really does plant his land with 

 sufficient Cotton to meet his engagements ; otherwise the 

 Ryot, with his usual reckless improvidence, would spend 

 all the money in a big feast, or wedding, or nautch dance, 

 or some other sort of " tumasha." 



177 The Broker: adulteration of the Cotton by the 

 "Devil's dust" system. The Cotton crop is delivered 

 to the Broker whilst it is still in seed. The Broker 

 is particular in classifying the seed Cotton, and pays 

 the Ryot for it according to its cleanliness. Next he has 

 much of the trash and rotten locks picked out ; not to make 

 the Cotton better, but because the rubbish chokes the chur- 

 ka, and prevents it from working. The good Cotton staple 

 is then separated from the seed. After this is done the 

 adulteration commences ; for the Chitty contracts so closely 

 with the Broker, that the latter is compelled to resort to 

 what is called the " Devil's dust" system, in order to secure 



