1844-45.] ME. WEOUGHTOlf's STTCCESSFTTL crLTITEB. ■ 45 



cordingly, the Madras Government at once called 

 upon Mr. "Wroughton, to explain the circumstances 

 which led him to select the particular lands ; as well 

 as the cost and method of his culture, with any 

 particulars which would serve to illustrate the causes 

 of his success. Mr. Wroughton ascribed 

 his success generally to two Conditions, ?''^'^'y^' 

 which he considered to be absolutely es- andmemo- 

 sential in the cultivation of American Cot- JJS'jSJe, 

 ton ; namely, the influence of the two mon- 1846. Pari, 

 soons, and the effect of an earlier sowing omhv.ioa. 

 than is practised by the Natives. 



1st. Influence of both monsoons. — The peculiar influ- 68 

 ence of both monsoons has already been described ; as 

 well as the physical formation of the "West- 

 em Ghauts, through which the south-west ^ 

 monsoon rushes at intervals, and thus affords certain 

 tracts of country the benefit of both monsoons. This is 

 the case at Courtallum in Tinnevelly ; it is also the case, 

 over a very large tract of country at the Paulghaut- 

 cherry Pass in the district of Coimbatore; and it 

 appears also to be the case in the neighbourhood of 

 Ootacamund. In this particular Mr. Wroughton en- 

 joyed an advantage over Dr. Wight. The Farms of 

 Coimbatore were shut out from the south-west rains 

 by ranges of hills which attracted the clouds. Mr. 

 Wroughton however chose the neighbourhood of Oota- 

 camund, where the country enjoyed the benefit of both 

 monsoons. Here he selected an inferior land on pur- 

 pose ; inasmuch as waste lands of the same quality 

 prevail to an extent out of all proportion to the better 

 and more expensive kinds, and he was naturally anxious 

 to ascertain if a profitable return could be secured 

 from such a soil ; and, as we have already seen, the 

 out-turn which followed exceeded his most sanguine 

 expectations. 



2nd. Early preparation and sowing.-:-As regarded 69 

 season, Mr. Wroughton remarked that the Native 

 mode of culture was defective. The Syots invariably 

 sowed their lands in October, and consequently the 

 tender plants were withered by the north-east winds. 



