COTTON-WOOL. 



415 



5. Bourbon cotton is not cultivated, nor even known by Appendix, 

 name, in this division of the Ceded Districts. 



6. The land fit for cotton cultivation, including waste 

 and enam land, amounts to 14,60,699 acres. The land 

 actually cultivated at the time of survey was 911,803 acres, 

 the survey-rent of which was 446,674 pagodas. 



7. The average rent of land capable of producing cotton 

 is eighteen fanams fifty-nine cash per acre. The highest 

 rent averages one pagoda four fanams sixty-eight cash, the 

 lowest two fanams thirty-three cash. 



8. The average expense of cultivating five acres of land 

 already brought under tillage, is estimated at two pagodas 

 fourteen fanams sixty- one and a quarter cash, including 

 the price of seeds, which leaves a net profit to the ryot of 

 two pagodas thirty fanams eighteen cash. But the pro- 

 duce appears to be undervalued and the expense over- 

 rated. 



9. Nothing but a certainty of demand for the article, 

 and a considerable increase of prices, can very materially 

 encourage the extension of the cultivation. The Com- 

 mercial Resident, by entering into large contracts with 

 respectable merchants for the supply of cotton, will be best 

 able to promote the growth of it : a rapid increase of the 

 cultivation cannot, however, possibly take place until the 

 population shall have been augmented. 



10. From every inquiry that has been made, it does 

 not appear that the ryots would undertake the culture of 

 Bourbon cotton. Substantial ryots require no advance, 

 and would not in general be persuaded to enter into con- 

 ditions, unless the price stipulated was so high as to offer 

 a prospect of such gain as the Company, it is presumed, 

 could not afford to grant. 



