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LETTER XIII. 
THE INDUSTRIES CARRIED ON IN THE NEW HEBRIDES— 
COTTON GROWING — COBRA — ARROWROOT — WHALING — 
WHAT MIGHT BE DONE HERE—MODE OF REACHING THE 
ISLANDS, AND OUTFIT—THE DISADVANTAGES CONNECTED 
WITH RESIDENCE HERE. 
Port Resolution, Tana, 
December, 1872. 
e 
iN CTHOUGH at present the exports from the New Hebrides 
are extremely limited, I have not the slightest hesitation in as- 
serting that some day these islands will occupy a very important 
commercial position in the southern hemisphere; their im- 
mense natural resources, and their proximity to Australia 
with its rapidly increasing population, put the matter almost 
beyond a doubt. 
Cotton growing is now the principal industry, and is the 
chief export; although as yet the plantations are new, and 
mostly small in size. 
It is found that the Sea Island cotton—the very best and 
most valuable kind — grows admirably upon many of the 
islands, the climate and soil both being suitable. A light sandy 
soil is the best, and the sea air seems indispensable. The closer 
to the beach the plantation is, the better will be the crop. 
The following is the mode in which cotton is grown down 
here. When the ground is cleared, the soil is loosened with 
