252 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY, [185362. 



CHAP, posite the Paulghaut Gap, a remarkable Weak of some 30 

 - miles wide in the line of the Western Ghauts about 70 miles 

 from the Sea, through which the moist South-west monsoon 

 blows inland strongly and incessantly from June to Septem- 

 ber. It is in the tract under the influence of of this current 

 that the New Orleans and exotic Cottons grow best. The 

 general level above the Sea, may be estimated at 1000 feet, 

 and the surface being every where gently undulating is well 

 drained. 



357 Climate," From June to September, during the preva- 

 lence of the South-west monsoon, the climate is cool and 

 cloudy with continual light rains. In October and Novem- 

 ber heavy showers fall, the North-east monsoon then sets in, 

 and there is a continuance of clear, bright weather with 

 heavy night dews till February. Hot burning land winds 

 then prevail till May, and all vegetation is scorched up, 

 though the early showers are generally looked for in April 

 and May ; these rains however are by no means con- 

 stant. From June to September the tract lying within 

 and in front of the Paulghaut Gap receives conti- 

 nual rain, which seldom however extends to the lands 

 beside or beyond the gap. In October and November 

 the heaviest showers fall. The yearly average of rain at 

 Coimbatore is ] 8 inches, and probably twice as much in its 

 south-west portion. Irrigation is not employed in the culti- 

 vation of Cotton. It was tried experimentally with favour- 

 able results, but had to be used sparingly, and care taken 

 that the surface of the ground did not ca,ke. In a small 

 field, which had been occasionally watered, the crop of New 

 Orleans Cotton, amounted to 260 Ibs. per acre, whilst 

 in another neighbouring field unirrigated, the pickings 

 scarcely reached 20 Ibs. per acre. Difference of soil however, 

 may have had some influence over this ; and by some, irri- 

 gation is said not to answer, producing leaves but not 

 Cotton, 



