420 



COTTON-WOOL. 



Appendix, more, perhaps, than elevenpence or one shilling per 

 pound. 



In the Ceded Districts there are two varieties of the 

 green seed. What are made to the westward near Bellary 

 and Adoni, are more w^oolly and not so fine as what are 

 produced in the eastern talooks near to Cuddapah. These 

 latter, no doubt, with greater care would be a much more 

 valuable cotton. 



I have thus endeavoured to show, that the improve- 

 ment of the cottons at present cultivated in the Ceded 

 Districts, materially depends on introducing greater care 

 in the first stages of its manipulation. The instance 

 likewise mentioned, of Bourbon seed succeeding so well 

 in Tinnevelly, affords a presumption, that an importation 

 on a considerable scale of a variety of the black cotton- 

 seed might not only improve the condition of the culti- 

 vator, but materially increase the export of cotton-wool, 

 both to China and England. The improvement of our 

 manufactures at home have gradually superseded the 

 demand for those of India, whilst the demand for the 

 raw material from India has increased, and is likely to 

 increase, in a much greater proportion ; and any improve- 

 ment that could be given to it, would equally promote 

 the prosperity of the country and the Company. 



At the Isle of France and Bourbon the hlack-seed cotton 

 is only cultivated. The plant looks sickly, and, from 

 whatever cause, is said to be less productive than formerly. 

 At present it is giving place to sugar, which they find 

 more profitable. My long detention there, waiting the 

 event of the Benson^s being condemned or repaired, gave 

 me every opportunity of seeing their culture and manage- 

 ment of it. It is a more recent staple at the Seychelles, 

 where the plant is represented as more vigorous; but 

 should the Company ever regard it an object to introduce 



a different 



