182 COTTON IN THE MADBAS PEESIDENCT. [cHAP. Y. 



Black soil with Native Cotton, and the Eed soil with 

 American Cotton. The Black field produced 500 lbs. 

 of Native Cotton, whilst the Eed field produced 1250 

 lbs. of American Cotton. Both were sown at the same 

 time in November ; and both enjoyed the same climate 

 and culture. During this same season, the two mon- 

 soons were each below the average ; yet the crops of 

 American Cotton have been generally heavy, and those 

 of the Indigenous Cotton generally light. This result 

 has particularly pleased the Native growers. The fact 

 is, that the Native Cotton was sovra during the north- 

 east monsoon, which proved a failure ; whilst the greater 

 part of the American Cotton was sovni during the 

 south-west monsoon in July and August, and being 

 well advanced before the scanty north-east rains set 

 in, derived great benefit from them. Indeed, when so 

 managed, the danger to the American Cotton lies in 

 the excess, rather than in the deficiency of the north- 

 east rains. Thus, during unfavourable seasons, the 

 chances are in favour of American Cotton over Native ; 

 and it may be presumed that the chances will also be 

 greater in favourable seasons ; and that consequently the 

 Eyots will continue the cultivation of the exotic plant. 



2G7 Large results in 1850-51 and 1851-52.— In 1850-51 

 I had more applications for American seed than in any 

 previous year; probably in consequence of the success- 

 ful crops obtained by the Eyots from the relinquished 

 Earms. The season was not a favourable one, yet I 

 was enabled to purchase fifty-one bales of Native-grotm 

 American Cotton. This success gave such an additional 

 impetus to the change of feeling already in progress, 

 that the applications for seed in 1851-52 were on a still 

 more extended scale ; and I have already despatched 

 ninety bales of Native-grown American Cotton to 

 England, and expect before the end of the season to 

 obtain a great many more. 



268 Eyots adopt Dr. Wight's practice.— Hitherto the Ey- 

 ots have adopted one system of culture. 1st, Selecting 

 light sandy soils through which both the roots and 

 moisture can easily penetrate. 2nd, Sowing in rows 

 instead of broad-cast. 3rd, Ploughing and otherwise 



