1845-46.] ME. EINNIE's FOUR YEABS IN TINNEVELLY. 87 



north-east rains would gradually adopt the new plan 

 of sowing in rows, and of ploughing between the rows. 



Mr. Finnie's tour from Courtallum to Coimbatore, 137 

 July. — On the 1st of July, Mr. Finnie set 

 out from Courtallum on a kind of explor- D^ r ^ m pari! 

 ing and itinerant Cotton planting expedi- Return 

 tion, along the foot of the hills northwards < 1857 >>P- m 

 to Coimbatore. During this tour he was disappointed 

 as to the extent of the area of country enjoying the 

 benefit of both monsoons. Soon after leaving the 

 vicinity of Courtallum, he found the land deprived 

 altogether of the south-west monsoon ; and all was arid 

 and sterile, until he had advanced beyond Pulney in 

 the Madura district, and reached the borders of the 

 district of Coimbatore. There, however, the south- 

 west monsoon rushes through the Paulghatcherry Pass, 

 and fertilizes a large extent of country. 



Preparations for assisting Dr. Wight in completing 138 

 the Court's order for 6000 bales. — During Mr. Fin- 

 nie's short stay at Coimbatore, Dr. Wight 

 had an opportunity of conversing with him, ^tter^sth S 

 upon the exertions necessary for compiet- July, 1846. 

 ing the order of the Court of Directors (miy^^&s 

 for 5000 or 6000 bales of ginned East In- 

 dian Cotton. Dr. Wight had already despatched three 

 saw gins to Mr. Finnie, and he subsequently applied 

 to the Madras Government that Mr. Finnie might be 

 permitted to purchase seed Cotton for ginning. 



Mr. Finnie permitted to act as Agent: restricted 139 

 to Cotton ginned and prepared on the American prin- 

 ciple, August. — Meantime, Mr. Finnie's Minutesof 

 request to be permitted to act as a private Consuita- 

 Agent for the purchase of Cotton had Feb!,i846. 

 been refused. The Madras Government Pari.' Return 

 expressed itself fully aware of the import- 

 ance of securing a local market to the Cotton growers, 

 but considered that Mr. Finnie as a Government 

 servant could not engage in commercial adventures. 

 Subsequently, however, the Madras Government dis- 

 covered that the privilege asked by Mr. Finnie had 

 already been granted by the Bombay Government to 



