1853-62.] F0UB, GENEKAL CONCLUSIONS. 



235 



task. But still the analysis and comparison of facts 

 naturally leads to certain convictions, and those con- 

 victions may perhaps be recorded with advantage. 



Four general conclusions. — Pour general conclusions 370 

 appear to have been established ; viz. — 



1st, American Cotton can be grown, but the profit is 

 questionable. 



2nd, Indian Cotton may be improved, but only to a 

 degree. 



3rd, American Cotton must always command a higher 

 price than Indian. 



4th, The demand for Indian Cotton must always de- 

 pend on the supply of American. 



These four conclusions may be considered in order. 



1st, American Cotton can be grown, but the profit is 371 

 questionable. — The fact that American Cotton can be 

 grown in the Madras Presidency, has been sufficiently 

 proved by the numerous experiments that have been 

 recorded ; but the produce, though of good quality, 

 has been very variable and disappointing as regards 

 quantity. The question of profit, however, is a totally 

 different one. Mr. David Lees produced much fine 

 Cotton in Tinnevelly, but at a great pecuniary sacrifice. 

 Captain Lawford again endeavoured to prove that the 

 cultivation of foreign Cotton would prove as profitable 

 to the Byot as that of grain, even on the more highly 

 rented lands that are under an artificial system of irri- 

 gation. But the Byots would not be convinced. Set- 

 ting grain out of the question, the Byot has hitherto 

 found it more safe and profitable to grow Indigenous 

 Cotton than to grow New Orleans Cotton. The cultiva- 

 tion of the Indigenous article is cheap and simple. The 

 picking and separation of the staple from the seed costs 

 literally nothing, for both operations are performed by 

 hands which would be otherwise idle. The crop is 

 tolerably certain, the staple clothes the family, the seed 

 feeds the cattle, and the residue finds a ready market 

 on the spot. On the other hand, American Cotton is a 

 speculation. The cultivation is more difficult, the se- 

 paration of the staple from the seed is more expensive, 

 the crop is uncertain, the staple not in use amongst 



