95 



proceeds, and forward monthly account to Director of Board of 

 Agriculture. Such planters to bear half expense and receive all the 

 Drop. If this is not inducement enough, let Government try others, 

 J 500 free acres (prize i)\ (etc>) such prizes to be decided by 

 X300 ,, ( „ 2)S V ' F u J 



Resident-General, Resident of State and Board of Agriculture, 

 F.M.S. Mr. Treub, of Buitenzorg, and his assistant far outstrip all 

 our experts in knowledge re cotton. If Government were to send 

 men to Java to investigate the Agricultural Department there they 

 would receive every help. Cost of experiments above suggested 

 £10 to £12 an acre: But let Government begin by sending to Java. 



Quickest action would be to follow Mr. ARDEN'S suggestions, and IO °5 8 / 

 see what cash actually comes from cotton and cotton-seed (oil for P " OF 

 cows). South Sea Island cotton planted gave long staple and high 

 price. Yield per acre unknown. Miserable Indian plantations yet 

 give astonishingly good results, but the soil there is black and fine. 

 Many Indian coolies here know about cotton growing, so too some 

 Chinese. In the Province, Mr. CHASSERIAU has such coolies and 

 might be induced to experimentalise. A fair test might be got if 

 Mr. ARDEV took eight or ten of these (Tinnevelley) coolies, gave 

 ploughs, etc., and opened some land on the lalang near the Gardens. 

 Another plan would be to give Chinese coolies seed and a bonus. 

 Chief trouble here is felt from the rain on the open bolls. Mr. G. E. 

 Bagnall (Bukit Nanas) would give seed up to 24 acres, with land, 

 etc., on certain conditions at Port Dickson and Seremban, Govern- 

 ment to stump and plough ( = 850 per acre). If desired, the Pro- 

 tector of Labour whilst in India would get information. Where 

 cotton is most grown, wages 2/6 to 6/- a day. Strange, if we can 

 grow quality and quantity per acre, we could not compete, begin- 

 ning as we should in all mechanical appliances where they have 

 arrived. " 



See also : " Agricultural Bulletin of the Straits and Federated 

 Malay States " :— 



No. 10 Vol. II. " Cotton," p. 309. 



No. 11 Vol. II. "The Cultivation of Cotton in the F. 

 M.S.," p. 345. 



No. 12 Vol. II. "The Cultivation of Cotton in the F. 

 M.S.," p. 396. 



No. 12 Vol. II. "Cotton in the S.S. 40 years ago," p. 

 398. 



