40 COTTOlf IlSr THE MADEAS PElISlDEirCT. [3eD SEASON. 



drawn ; and again it thrives well in the Alluvial soils, 

 which from their position are naturally loaded with 

 moisture.* The Bourbon again takes very deep root, 

 and bears the climate even better than the Indian 

 plant. 



57 Reports of English Brokers on Dr. Wight's Cotton.— 



The proceedings of Dr. Wight received the 

 toTom^t; approval of the Court of Directors. About 

 Court of Di- 200 bales of Cotton grown this year were 

 Oct., 184,4. sent home, and after a careful examination 

 uS)!p*otS °^ *^^ packages the following opinions were 



expressed by the Brokers. 



58 Oopum (Indian) Cotton. — The staple (about 62 

 bales) considered to be very short and wild, but beau- 

 tifully clean and white. No difference was discovered 

 in the quality of this Cotton, whether produced on the 

 Black, Eed, or Alluvial soil. 



59 New Orleans. — The staple (about- 144 bales) was 

 pronounced much better than the Oopum, being longer 

 and finer, less cut with the gin, the greater part clean 

 and of good colour, but not so white as the Oopum. 

 Some variations were found in the New Orleans with 

 reference to the soil in which it was produced ; that 

 from the Black soil having the preference, the Eed 

 next, and the Alluvial the last. This Cotton averaged 

 the usual price of the New Orleans in bond. 



60 Bourbon. — The staple (about 6 bales) was found 

 much superior to either of the other, being longer and 

 finer. Being, however, partially injured in cleaning, and 

 containing many white specks or knitters, a mixture 

 which is considered very objectionable, the sale prices 

 did not exceed those of the New Orleans. 



61 Third Season, 1843-44 : state of the Cotton Farms, 

 Gins, and Gin-house. — The results of the third season 

 Dr. Wight's of the Cotton experiment at Coimbatore 

 May^'w^. were naturally expected to turn out better 

 Pari.' Return than those of any former years. The 

 Bespatck ^ ' ITarms were in a better state of prepara^ 

 from Court tion, and Dr. Wight and the Planters were 



* This opinioij was subsequently modified. The excessive moisture 

 was found to stimulate the gl-owth of the stem, branches, and leaves, 

 at the expense of the flowers, fruit, and seed. See para. 91, 



