4 



214 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. TI. 



quarters of the value of Cotton 

 contracted for, and the latter 

 again make advances to the 

 Eyots engaged in Cotton cultiv- 

 ation. 



20th. What is done -with the A portion of the surplus Cot- 

 surplus Cotton seed ? ton seed is used as food for cattle, 



some is exported to Colombo. 



328 Letter from Mr. Hardy, European Agent at Tuti- 

 corin. — The following letter, received from Mr. Thomas 

 Mr. Hardy's Hardy, at Tnticorin, furnishes the follow- 

 letter, ioth mg particulars respecting the Cotton trade 



Nov., 1861. f Tinneve lly. 



" The average exports of Cotton for the last 10 years 

 from this district have been about bales 55,000, but 

 this year it may probably reach 90,000 : one season 

 during this decennial period it reached only bales 16,000, 

 the crop being nearly a total failure. During the first 

 half of these ten years, the price rarely exceeded Eupees 

 60 per Candy of 500 lbs. ; but during the last five 

 years the price has rarely been less than Eupees 80, and 

 is now Eupees 100 ; which latter price will require at 

 the present rates of freight and exchange, about 7d. per 

 lb. at home to cover cost, charges, and commission. I 

 have no doubt the present high price will cause a much 

 greater quantity of land to be brought under Cotton 

 cultivation, but not to the extent in this district as 

 might be expected, for all agricultural produce has 

 risen in value more than Cotton. At the same time 

 Cotton is a very favourite cultivation with the Eyots. 

 It gives them fuel, and the seed is the best and most 

 fattening food for their cattle. The quality of Cotton 

 produced here is second to no Indigenous Cotton grown 

 in India (excepting the Dharwar saw-ginned) ; it is of 

 good colour, but the staple is short, and the Eyots 

 adulterate it with seed and trash. If such was not 

 the case it would rank higher in Europe. Nearly the 

 whole of the Cotton grown here went formerly to 

 China, but it now almost entirely goes to London and 

 Liverpool, but the bulk is re-exported principally to 

 Northern Europe. Cotton is here planted in rather a 

 slovenly manner broad cast, and two crops are taken 



