10 



Bushes of the above mentioned variety which has a yellow blos- 

 som have been observed, for the last six years, in almost constant 

 bearing. They being to bear in six or eight months after planting. 



The following calculation was given to me, several years ago, by 

 an intelligent Chinese who intended cultivating cotton, but aban- 

 doned the project for one more lucrative. 



One hundred orlongs (about 130 acres) will contain 435,600 

 bushes and each bush will yield, annually, 50 buds of cotton, or 

 one tael — which is the lowest averaged rate — being 272 piculs and 

 25 catties for one year's produce. 



The expense of cultivation and cleaning the cotton — about 1,100 

 dollars, after the first cost w ill be nearly 2,000 dollars yearly. 



( The Journal of The Indian Archipelago 



a> d Eastern Asia, 1850, \ r ol. I V page 720) 



REMARKS ON THE CULTIVATION OP COTTON 



IN SINGAPORE IN 1837. 



By T. 0. Crane, Esq. 



In your number for December I find an essay on the Culture of 

 Cotton in the Straits Settlements Your talented correspondent 

 has not taken that ample view of the subject which he might have 

 done, or has been misinformed with regard to the experiments made 

 in Singapore. As my experien.ee does not extend beyond this 

 island, your readers must remember that 1 treat only of Singapore, 

 as the same difficulties may not exist in our sister Settlements. On 

 the Malayan continent I doubt much that they do exist, and as re- 

 gards Malacca 1 shall offer some remarks on another occasion. 



Your correspondent has quoted from Mr. G. R. Porter's ''Tro- 

 pical Agriculturist" some remarks regarding soil, of the correctness 

 of which there does not exist a doubt. In the preceding paragraph 

 to that, he says <l the extent of territory adapted for the better des- 

 cription of cotton is limited to the Island of Singapore? and Penang." 

 As I am treating of Singapore only, I would ask him, what land 

 there is now available, and adapted to the culture of cotton on this 

 Island? The only belt that offered any chance of success, is that 

 now occupied by one entire field of coco-nut trees, from Sandy 

 Point (or Tanjong Rhn) to Ruddoo (Bedok). There may be a few- 

 acres between that and Tanjong Changi, but not sufficient ever to 

 make Singapore a cotton growing Island, were it in every other 

 respect successful. The belt of land extends from the sea to the 

 Siglap road, and eastward only to Arthur's Seat. The flat north 

 of that road, known as the Paya Lebar district, is partially cultiv- 

 ated with cocoanut trees and sugar cane, moreover the soil is not 

 at all suited for cotton. 



Before I < ommencc my remarks upon the culture of cotton in 

 Singapore with my opinion, resulting from nearly three years of 

 actual experience, labour, and outlay of capital, I must correct )our 



