1840.] on the Tenasserim Provinces, fyc. 167 



Such thoroughly prepared grounds do not exist in the pro- 

 vinces except those destined for rice-plantations, and those 

 being situated in low localities, are scarcely available for other 

 annuals. 



It must be ascertained by experience whether a planta- 

 tion consisting exclusively of annuals would be remu- 

 nerating to European settlers. It is doubtful whether 

 Tenasserim in its infancy as a colony, will be able to compete 

 with Hindoostan in this respect. If however any annual 

 plantations on a large scale are to be established, then cotton 

 must be counted among the first. To augment the quantity 

 of new cotton in the British colonies, and to render the mother 

 country independent of foreign supplies, ought to be considered 

 a matter of deep concern. 



The East Indian possessions are particularly well fitted for 

 cotton growth. India is the mother country of cotton, yet the 

 original plant is deteriorated throughout India, and the modes 

 of cultivation not understood. In Tenasserim the indigenous 

 cotton plant, or that in use, is still worse than the Indian. 

 It has a short staple, want of smoothness, and a great cohesion 

 to the seed. The greater part of the cotton is sown together with 

 mountain rice, upon newly burnt ground. Four-fifths of all 

 cotton grown are obtained in this manner, almost all being used 

 for home consumption. Other cotton seeds have been introdu- 

 ced since the British occupation, but unfortunately Pernambuco 

 cotton was selected and generally distributed. It proved a fai- 

 lure, as might be expected from an almost subalpine plant being 

 transferred into subequatorial plains, and the failure of the ex- 

 periments contributed to make the natives think that their 

 own species was better. 



Egyptian, Sea Island, and Seychelle cotton have been also in- 

 troduced lately, but almost all the seeds obtained did not ger- 

 minate. European settlers well versed in cotton growth would 

 have an ample field for exertions, and it seems that the plains 

 between Ye and Tavoy, and between Tavoy and Palauk, will 

 be particularly fit for the introduction of Sea Island cotton, 

 as that variety likes the atmosphere of the sea and a slightly 

 subsaline soil. For the Georgia Upland plant, the interme- 



