13 
fibre over that grown in America, and commands a much higher price ; 
at present its production is limited to the Nile valley, where there is no 
room for extension to meet the increasing demand, and where the crop 
is at times almost ruined by a “low Nile,” perj a large advance in 
price and its consequent derangement of trade. 
The price obtained, which varies from 6d. to 10d. per pound for 
ordiuhes qualities, must give a large return to the aoe for Indian 
Cottons are grown, ginned, shipped, and sold for 3d. per poun 
The ee of the crop appear to be, an alluvial es a regular 
supply of w to the roots and bright weather during ripening ; 
careful visions to prevent the niet of leaf with the fibre 
writer has carefully noted the conditions in Egypt, and cannot 
see why this crop should not be extended to other parts of Africa. 
We are, &c. 
(Signed) S. WHITLEY & Co. 
Mr. Alvan Millson. 
COLONIAL OFFICE to ROYAL GARDENS, KEw. 
SIR, Downing Street, 1st pe be 1889, 
WITH reference to your letter of the 22nd ultimo, I ar dir w 
by Lord Knutsford to acquaint you that the Foreign Office ave bee 
requested to instruct Her Majesty’s Agent and Consul- asad. at Cairo 
to obtain 40 Ibs. of Egyptian Cotton seed for transmission to the West 
African Colonies. 
Lord Knutsford has desired that the seed should be forwarded to 
you, and he will be much obliged if you will undertake its apportoin- 
ment among the parions Colonies in such amounts as you may think 
most desirable. 
I am further to request that you will state the exact amounts sent to 
each Colony, so that the total cost may be properly divided by the 
Crown Agents. 
I am, &c. 
(Signed) R. H. MEADE. 
The Director, Royal Gardens, Kew. 
ROYAL GARDENS, KEw, to COLONIAL OFFICE. 
SIR, Royal Gardens, Kew, January 22, 1890. 
WITH reference to your letter of lst November on the subject of 
ope a pelos of Egyptian Cotton seed for transmission to certain 
Colonies, I am desired by Mr. Thiselton-Dyer to inform you Ythat he has 
rowdy received, at the request of Sir Evelyn Baring, a supply of 
Cotton seed from the British Commissioner of the Egyptian State 
Domains. 
2, This seed has been divided into six lots, and apportioned as 
follows :—To Gambia and aago, one-fourth each ; to Sierra Leone, 
Gold Coast, Windward Islands, and Leeward iad one-eighth each. 
3. The small portion of ieai selected for the West Indian Colonies is 
likely to prove of pie rvice in such islands as Carriacou, Antigua, 
and the Virgin Islan 
4, It would be daatable to furnish the Governors of all the Colonies 
to whi ch 6 seed is sent with a copy of the correspondence enclosed in my 
letter of the 22nd October last, in order that they may have 
