1847 48.] MR. FINNIE'S FOUR YEARS IN TINNEVELLY. 133 



season had only proved really successful in the Courtallum CHAP. 

 valley, which enjoyed the benefit of both monsoons. Accord- ' 

 ingly, early in the third season, Mr. Finnie obtained the Go- Mr Fin _ 

 vernment sanction to establish a model plantation of about SJtb le Aprii 

 a hundred acres in the same quarter. The cultivation was to June ill?! 

 be carried out upon lands held by Government, and under tu?i* 



his own superintendence, either by hired labour or by con- P< 

 tract at so much per acre ; but the cleaning, planting, and 

 preparation of the soil, were to be accomplished by Native 

 implements, as an example to the landholders, and as an 

 inducement for them to adopt the culture on their own ac- 

 count. At the same time, Mr. Finnie proposed to distribute 

 seed to all who were willing to cultivate the American Cot- 

 ton, and to take the produce off their hands at a fixed rate 

 per candy on Government account ; and he hoped that in 

 time he should be able to retire from the culture, aud leave it 

 entirely in the hands of the people, merely taking the pro- 

 duce at its value. He was perfectly satisfied that the 

 American Cotton would grow well, wherever the land en- 

 joyed the benefit of both monsoons ; and he had not the 

 slightest doubt but that the people in the neighbourhood of 

 those favoured spots would find the cultivation a profitable 

 source of employment. The Government sanction was given 

 on the 30th of June, and Mr. Finnie immediately proceeded f u a r r n' 

 to Courtallum to commence operations ; but on his arrival p ' 

 the heavy burst of the South-west monsoon was over, and 



he had to wait until the 10th of September before he could iS8. M pi! 

 commence clearing and planting. Notwithstanding, however, (1857 p. 

 that the Cotton was planted too late, we are told that it did 

 very well and produced a good crop. 



Unsuccessful culture at Sevacausey, Virdooputty, 135 

 and Aroopoocottah. During this same season, Mr. Finnie 

 ordered a few acres to be planted with American Cotton at 

 the three stations of Sevacausey, Virdooputty, and Aroo- 



