86 COTTON IN THE MADEAS PEESIDBNCT. [IST SEASON. 



fact, that if the people would but adopt the improved 

 agricultural method, they could always produce the 

 raw material, whatever that material might be, very 

 much cheaper than any European could do by the 

 hired labour system, Mr. Fmnie knew from experi- 

 ence that the hired labour system afforded such numer- 

 ous opportunities for peculation, that it was impossi- 

 ble for a capitalist to foUow that system with any profit 

 in India in the growth of any article whatever. 



135 First intercourse with the Ryots : allays fears and 

 suspicions. — On the 1st of June, 1846, Mr. Finnie 

 reached Courtallum, and made the people acquainted 

 with his object. On the 3rd, he was visited by some 

 of the more respectable Eyots, who asked for an ex- 

 planation of his object, and at the same time expressed 

 their own doubts and fears. First, they thought that 

 Mr. Finnie aimed at getting possession of their lands ; 

 but he assured them that he wanted nothing beyond 

 the bare trial of the experiment, on a small scale the 

 first year, and then if successful on a larger scale the 

 next. Secondly, they expressed a fear that, if the new 

 Cotton succeeded, the Government would raise their 

 assessment ; but upon this point he succeeded in satis- 

 fying them. Thirdly, the question arose as to where 

 they should sell the new Cotton. This last argument 

 Mr. Finnie had as yet no authority to parry ; but at 

 last he made himself responsible, and promised to take 

 all the new Cotton off their hands at the real value of 

 the article. 



136 Explains the improved method of culture to the 

 Ryots. — Having thus satisfied the scruples of the Na- 

 tives, Mr. Finnie went out and planted a small field be- 

 fore their eyes. At their desire he then accompanied 

 them into the country to look at their fields ; and the 

 party increased in numbers as it proceeded, until at last 

 he had fifty or sixty people with him, all anxious to adopt 

 the new plan and asking for seed. These results en- 

 couraged Mr. Finnie to believe that the people would 

 speedily cultivate the American Cotton throughout the 

 whole area under the influence of both monsoons ; whilst 

 those who only cultivated the Native Cotton under the 



