1842.] On the Cotton called " Nurma," in Guzerat. 291 



portion to the purity of that soil. In a state of nature, and when fully 

 developed, the seeds are nearly as large as a particle of grain, and 

 are closely covered all round by a strongly adhering bright pea-green 

 coloured fur, and enveloped in a fine silky wool of considerable strength, 

 and fully an inch in length. 



Hedgerows, gardens, groves of trees about the abodes of devotees 

 and temples, are the places where this plant is found. I don't know 

 of its being cultivated in any other way. In these places it is a peren- 

 nial, lasting for four or five years or more, and being cut down to with- 

 in two feet of the ground in the end of June, or a little before the set- 

 ting in of the annual rains ; this also is the best time for sowing the 

 seed. 



The natives appreciate this cotton, from its fine staple enabling 

 them to spin finer thread than from any other kind with which they 

 are acquainted. Muslins and long pugries for the head are made from 

 it ; but since the introduction to this country of European products of 

 the loom, its use and its culture have been so reduced, as hardly at 

 this day to afford sufficient evidence to save their being classified along 

 with the fabulous stories of Hindoo history. 



Of the quantity produced per acre, I can give no estimate; but 

 in the first year, it could not be over 100 lbs. of clean cotton. In the 

 second year, as the plant then comes into full bearing, it might be from 

 three to four hundred pounds. The great extra labour and expense 

 over the common crops, of protecting the fields during the whole year, 

 which the cultivation of this plant would entail, is, I believe, the main 

 obstacle to any attempts being made to cultivate it. Here we have 

 no hedgerows, and nothing that is well calculated for such a purpose ; 

 all the agricultural produce being from annuals, the ryot protects them 

 from cattle, thieves, &c. by living in his fields during the few months 

 they are ripening, and which he could not do for a longer period. The 

 price of this cotton in the bazar, is always double that of the common 

 country article. However, there is never more than a few pounds 

 procurable, 



I have for several years back entertained great hopes in regard to 

 this cotton, particularly that it may be improved, so as to become of 

 value, by attending to modes of culture. That from it new varieties, 

 suited to different soils and situations as regards climate, may be 

 obtained, is more probable than from any of the cultivated kinds, and 

 I have hoped that circumstances might some day admit of my being 

 able to attempt its culture as a perennial, in the same way as cotton 

 is grown in Peru. 



Samples of the Nurmah cotton are forwarded with this letter, 

 procured from different places in and about the city of Broach. As 

 regards soils, I cannot at present obtain any such as could be of use to 

 Mr. Piddington ; but when I am relieved from the medical charge and 

 duties of this place, I shall then be able to select, in visiting the coun- 

 try round, proper specimens. 



Broach Office of the Superintendent of American 

 Cotton Planters, 6th January, 1842. 



2q 



