COTTON-WOOL. 



57 



months. The Bourbon shrub is of a durable f^^^Bowhayy 

 nature: it lasts for a series of years, and is not in ^p"^ 

 a state of full vigour till after a period of eighteen 

 months. The difference of nourishment which 

 these two shrubs must require, plainly and satis- 

 factorily accounts for the opposite success which 

 has attended their culture during last year. The 

 moisture that remained in the ground proved 

 nearly sufficient to bring the one to its usual state 

 of perfection, and fully so to mature a diminished 

 return of cotton. The same moisture produced 

 the other shrub, but though apparently healthy, 

 of a very stunted growth. It was even sufficient 

 to produce the blossoms, but failed almost entirely 

 at the time when its aid (cramped as the efforts of 

 nature were by the dwarfish condition of the 

 plants) was of the greatest importance. 



91. The conclusion which the very essential 

 difference in the nature of this plant suggests, 

 adds great weight to the recommendation of Mr. 

 Gilder, to give the Bourbon cotton a further trial 

 during the next year, in lands which have the 

 benefits of irrigation. A consideration, too, of 

 the climate of Bourbon would also seem to suggest 

 the propriety of making an experiment of this 

 mode of culture, and which we have accordingly 

 authorised, to an extent which will not expose the 

 Company to any great expense. 



No. 



