1832.] Proceedings of Societies. 215 



Messrs Willis and Earl presented selected samples of all cottons in the Liverpool 

 market in December, 1831, with the prices of each correctly labelled thereon, 

 for reference by the Society. 



The thanks of the meeting were offered to Messrs. Willis and Earl for this 

 very valuable present. 



Mr. De Verine, superintendant 'of the Society's Experimental Farm, at Akra, 

 submitted various papers relative thereto ;- including a tabular statement of the 

 cotton cultivation there from its commencement to the present period, on which 

 to ground assurances of the best season for sowing, of the most suitable seed, soil, 

 and. mode of cultivation, with an account of the expense of raising three biggahs 

 of Maranta Arundinacea, (or West India Arrow-root,) and manufacturing the 

 same into farina ; and also some observations on the storms of 31st October, and 

 26th March last. 



Mr. De Verine also submitted several specimens of tobacco, cotton, and arrow- 

 root, all reared at the Farm. Mr. Piddington submitted the form of a circular, 

 which he thought if translated into the native languages would remove prejudices, 

 and encourage the ryots to undertake the cultivation of seeds distributed by the 

 Society. 



Resolved, that Mr. Piddington be authorized to get his circular translated, and 

 printed on common paper, for distribution. 



The Secretary informed the meeting, that he had received only four parcels of 

 silk, with corresponding sealed letters, as competing for the prizes of the Society ; 

 and that he had received no samples of sugar and cotton, nor any letters announ- 

 cing their being on the way. 



Resolved, that as the reception of samples of silk, cotton, and sugar was limited 

 to 1st May last, no more samples of silk be now received ; and that the compe- 

 tition for the cotton and sugar prizes lie postponed to the season of 1833, it be- 

 ing understood that the prizes for silk and tobacco will be adjudged on the 1st 

 June next, as originally intended. 



On the Burmese cotton, received by Mr. Swinton from Major Burney, Mr. 

 Willis reports that he considers it of the same description as that received under 

 Major Burney's previous dispatch, and considered by the Burmese as of foreign, 

 origin, with this difference that one-half of the seed when divested of the cotton 

 is quite bald, having a smooth black, or rather brownish coloured skin, while 

 the other half is furred all over with a green fur, very tenaciously adhering. 

 This diversity and peculiarity in the seed, Mr. Willis considers worthy of remark, 

 as it is not to be found in any of the North American kinds, nor in those of 

 Pernambuco, Bourbon, the Seychelles, Tenasserim, or lower Bengal. The cotton 

 is however separated from the seed, both from the bald and furred parts of it, 

 with great and almost equal facility. The fibre is long, fine, and good in strength, 

 and exceedingly suitable for the machine spinner. 



Founding his estimate of its English value by the current prices of such sort 

 of cotton in Liverpool in the month of December, 1831, Mr. Willis states this 

 cotton would be worth in England from seven to eight d. per lb., at which rate a 

 wide field would appear open to remunerate the cultivator, the merchant, and the 

 ship's owner, if this description of cotton be found capable of having a successful 

 cultivation in this country. 



