826 On the Nurma Cotton of Bundelcund. [No. 118. 



which again fill with water and close up, after the rains have set 

 in heavily. The cotton produced in this soil has ever been reckoned 

 superior to that which is grown in the others. It is to be regretted 1 

 that the Mexican seed, which Captain Bayles brought with him to this 

 country from America, was not tried, in the first instance, on this soilj 

 as the rains were uncommonly mild, and in a moderate season, the 

 cotton in this soil grows best ; it would have been the means most pro- 

 bably, of securing an abundant supply of seed acclimated to the 

 country, to have commenced the following year, on a scale commeH" 

 surate to the magnitude of the object the Court of Directors had 

 in view ; which, I am led to believe, from having had a perusal of their 

 despatch on this subject, is the supercession of the supply from Ameri^ 

 ca, for the manufactures of Great Britain. 



If Great Britain is ever to look for the supply of its manufactories 

 to India, other measures, than those which have been commenced 

 upon, must be resorted to. Ages must pass away, (if the present 

 method of home cultivation ever succeeds, which however is pro- 

 blematical,) before India can respond to the demands of England. 



The most feasible and simple plan, it appears to me, would be to 

 follow the one which Captain Bayles partially adopted this seasoOj 

 at my suggestion, when I was ordered by Government to aid him, 

 in fixing his localities. I procured him engagements from the land- 

 holders and ryuts, contracting for their labour at four rupees per 

 beegah. They were to plough,* sow, weed, scarify, and do all the 

 work that was required, entirely under the superintendence of th< 

 American planters. If the land-rent, establishment, and othei 

 expenses, trebled the amount, still the cost of the cotton would 

 have been very moderate. The indigenous plant, when properly 

 attended to, will yield at least an average produce of a maund of clean 

 cotton ; the Mexican, cultivated according to the American system, 

 ought to give the same, if not more. Any mercantile man would 

 pronounce a maund of American cotton landed at Calcutta, at twelve 

 rupees, very cheap, and willingly engage for all that could be produced 

 at such a rate through Captain Bayles' agency. 



It is greatly to be lamented that the result of Captain Bayles' 

 experiment proved so unfavorable in the present season. Had it been 

 * With their own cattle. 



