1853 62.] FOUR GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. 261 



These four conclusions may be considered in order. CHAP. 



1st, American Cotton can be grown, but the profit 371 

 is questionable. The fact that American Cotton can be 

 grown in the Madras Presidency, has been sufficiently 

 proved by the numerous experiments that have been recorded ; 

 but the produce, though of good quality, has been very vari- 

 able and disappointing as regards quantity. The question 

 of profit however is a totally different one. Mr. David 

 Lees produced much fine Cotton in Tinnevelly, but at a 

 great pecuniary sacrifice. Captain Lawford again endea- 

 voured to prove, that the cultivation of foreign Cotton 

 would prove as profitable to the Kyot as that of grain, 

 even on the more highly rented lands that are under an ar- 

 tificial system of irrigation. But the Ryots would not be 

 convinced. Setting grain out of the question, the Ryot 

 has hitherto found it more safe and profitable to grow In- 

 digenous Cotton than to grow New Orleans Cotton. The 

 cultivation of the Indigenous article is cheap and simple. 

 The picking and separation of the staple from the seed 

 costs literally nothing, for both operations are performed by 

 hands which would be otherwise idle. The crop is toler- 

 ably certain, the staple clothes the family, the seed feeds the 

 cattle, and the residue finds a ready market on the spot. 

 On the other hand, American Cotton is a speculation. The 

 cultivation is more difficult, the separation of the staple 

 from the seed is more expensive, the crop is uncertain, the 

 staple not in use amongst Native spinners, the seed popu- 

 larly supposed to be unfit for cattle, and the market doubt- 

 ful and distant. High prices on the spot would extend the 

 cultivation of Indian Cotton, and perhaps promote the cul- 

 tivation of American Cotton ; but this is a question for the 

 consideration, not of Government, but of the merchant and 

 manufacturer. 



