248 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [185362. 



CHAP, be generally expected in May, June and July, which enables 



L_ the land to be ploughed, and in some places sown ; but the 



chief rains fall in September and October, when Jonna and 

 Cotton seeds are sown ; the former is cut in February and 

 the latter gathered in March and April. For the Indige- 

 nous Cotton, irrigation is never used. A moderately dry 

 season is the most favourable for the plant. Supposing that 

 the land is thoroughly saturated with rain at the time of 

 sowing, and another heavy shower is received about six 

 weeks or two months later, it is sufficient to bring the Cot- 

 ton plant to maturity. Succeeding rains tend to the growth 

 of the plant, but to the decrease of the produce. The 

 Ryots inform me that if the plants were irrigated they 

 would yield only one-fourth of the return produced in a dry 

 season. The average quantity of rain in the provinces, 

 where Black Cotton soil is chiefly to be found, may be set 

 down at Inches 22-914583, the average of the last three 

 years. 



348 Seed used and whence obtained. " The seed used 

 for sowing is obtained from the neighbouring villages. 

 The general use made of Cotton seeds by the Cultivators is 

 to feed their cattle ; for which purpose they are most ex- 

 cellent. 



349 Character of the Cotton plant." The Cotton plant 

 grown in this part of the country is herbaceous. The Cot- 

 ton tree grows in the jungles, but the produce is of no use 

 in manufactures, the staple being too short. American and 

 other Cottons have been tried in this district, but have 

 hitherto failed. The Cotton plant is very hardy, provided 

 it does not receive too much rain at the time of sowing. It 

 is a herbaceous plant, which rises to the height of about 

 three feet and extends its branches about 18 inches. The 

 seeds are sown about a foot apart from each other in regular 

 rows, and not unfrequeritly, horse-gram is sown between the 



