i 9 6 



It need not therefore surprise us, that considering the develop- 

 ment of the cotton industry, eyes are set on our colonies in order 

 to profit by the advantages gained by that industry. 



An eventual war between the Northern and Southern States of 

 North America would cause a still-stand of the spinneries in Europe 

 owing to the lack of raw material. 



Referring to the archives, relating to the Agriculture of the 

 Netherlands Indies, of the beginning of the second half of the last 

 century, we clearly see, that then already great endeavours were 

 made to make our colonies into the chief cotton growing countries. 



This old and much cherished hope, is always revived again each 

 time that the price of cotton goes up, and it is only to be hoped, 

 that the Government will take the initiative, to bring about the 

 realization of this hope. 



In order to see to what an extent this hope may be nourished, 

 and before enticing people to undertake experiments on a some- 

 what large scale, it will be useful to gather together, notes of all 

 that has been done, here and elsewhere and to see what lessons 

 are to be derived from them. 



A brief review of the cotton industry in general may be of use 

 to, thoroughly convey to the mind the chances of success. 



History. 



It is impossible to trace the time when the cotton fibre was first 

 used in a woven state. 



No matter how far we go back in the history of mankind, we 

 find everywhere mention made relating to cotton. 



The Hindoos and Aztees, natives of India and America were 

 already acquainted with it. In the year 2,300 B. C, the time of 

 Emperor Yoas, the sons of the Heavenly Kingdom wore cotton 

 clothes. 



The Egyptians used linen and cotton cloths * to wrap round 

 their mummies. 



Mention is also repeatedly made in the Biblical History, of cotton 

 fabrics. One of the Pharaohs presented Joseph with a cotton 

 dress. 



It was through the conquering journeys of Alexander the Great, 

 that cotton cloth was first introduced to the Greeks and Romans 

 of which only the richest made use. The Arabs brought over cot- 

 ton to the South of Spain. It is supposed that India is the original 

 native land of the cotton plant. America can also lay a claim to 

 this, for when the Spaniards conquered Mexico, they found the 

 cotton plant there, and that the natives generally used its product 

 as wearing apparel. 



It is difficult to explain, how it got thither from India. 



Botany. 



The cotton plant belongs to the family of Malvaceae and to the 

 genus Gossypium. It is a native of the tropics, where it flourishes 



* The presence of cotton can be easily detected by the structure and chemical 

 appearance of the fibre. 



