232 



that as a secondary plant. In 1885 an average harvest was obtained 

 Experiments with Palembang seeds failed. 



In the residency Semarang experiments were once more made 

 with American cotton varieties, in 1888, but again without success. 



The cotton industry is only again specially mentioned in the 

 colonial reports of 1900, but after that this ceases, and it is only 

 mentioned under the heading of secondary or other plants, besides 

 rice. It had to be reported every year that the cotton industry 

 was going backwards, instead of as before, in spite of the fact that 

 the officers concerned tried their utmost to push it forward. 



The great risk that the impecunious native runs in the growing 

 of the better kinds of cotton, and even with the less sensitive Indian 

 kind, makes it difficult for the Javanese to compete with the great 

 land of cotton, — America. 



It is only necessary to compaie the average productions from 

 here with those of America in order to see how unequal the com- 

 petition is. In America an average of 340 lbs. is made and hen: in 

 the most favourable case only 200 lbs. of clean cotton per bouw and 

 furthermore the latter is of less value. 



COTTON NOTE. 



Mr. T. H. Hill writes: that in his correspondence on Cotton in 

 the States Bulletin III, 3, p. 95, the following passage was omitted: 

 — When the bolls open if there is rain, and they are neglected, the 

 cotton gets black and mouldy and spotty and the seeds germinate 

 here but, it has often occurred to me that when the bolls were 

 matured; (a stage of growth it should not be impossible with practice 

 to detect) they might be gathered, either singly or on the stem, and 

 if then subject to the action of dry air, in a building, might com- 

 plete the process of maturing and be of the very best quality, not 

 even having had the dew on the exposed lint, and absolutely free 

 from dust — a most important point in the value of cotton. 



He adds that the italicised passage is the most important point 

 as he sees daily. — Editor. 



AGRI HORTICULTURAL SHOW. 



This show to be held at Kuala Lumpur August 5th, 6th and 7th 

 promises well. 



The exhibition, which is under the distinguished patronage dl 

 His Excellency the Governor and High Commissioner, the Sultan;- 

 of the Malay States, the Resident-General, and others, will be 

 opened by His Excellency at 11 a.m. on 4th August. 



