46 



[Jan. 1907. 



COST OF CULTIVATION, 



"The following has been given as a reliable estimate of the cost per acre to 

 grow cotton. All the items included have been taken from actual figures :— 



Clearing land, European supervision, cost of seed, sowing, and subsequent 

 cultivation ... ... ... ... £1 10 



Harvesting ... ... ... ... 3 



Ginning and baling a crop of 230 lbs ... ... 13 



Freight, Blantyre to Liverpool, and insurance ... 14 4 

 Brokers, commission and discount ... ... 3 



Dock charges, porterage from wharf, &c. ... 2 6 



Interest on capital ... ... ... ... 3 



£3 8 10 



" For cultivation in subsequent years, the land will not have to be cleared, 

 and a more thorough working of the soil can be given. The question of manuring 

 will also come in for consideration, which will ensure a higher yield. 



"Some may perhaps inquire as to how much capital is needed for one desirous 

 of becoming a planter in this couutry. £2,000 would enable a man to get a good 

 start, and the more thorough his previous agricultural experience the better he will 

 find his way about. Especially so if his observations have been undertaken in 

 tropical or sub-tropical countries, where the same or similar crops are cultivated. 

 A good house and bodily comfort are absolute necessities. 



" Little can be done the first year, but with such annual crops as cotton an 

 immediate return results. With coffee three years must elapse before the first crop 

 is harvested. Over one hundred Europeans are at present engaged in agricultural 

 pursuits in the country. 



" Land is cheap, varying in price from 5s. to 10s. per acre. It may also be 

 rented on a long lease at from 6d. to Is. per acre, with sometimes the option of 

 purchase within a certain number of years." 



An appendix " A" deals with the importance and necessity of seed selection ; 

 this was quoted in extenso in the " Tropical Agriculturist " of August 1906, pp. 171 — 

 178 and should be referred to. Appendix " B " deals with the insect pests of cotton 

 and the remedies, and include the bollworm, (Heliothis Armiger), the Stainer 

 (Dysdercus), green fly, (Aphidae), leaf miners, borers, surface caterpillars and 

 locusts, and (Acridium)-— I.E. 



Agricultural Progress in Coorg.— Report on the Administration of Coorg 

 1905— 1906. This official publication contains certain remarks on the agricultural 

 industries of the Province which are of interest. Coffee is 'the main planting 

 product, and it is satisfactory to note that the industry has apparently found 

 its level after years of deterioration ; the year under review actually saw an 

 increase in area under the cultivation, probably meaning that what is now under 

 cultivation is the survival of the Attest, ail the bad land having been abandoned. 

 Planters are on the qui vire for new products, and pepper, rubber, cardamons, 

 fibre plants, cotton and oranges are being tried. Ceara (Manihot Glaziovii) rubber 

 has been found to do well and is being extensively planted ; and experiments are 

 being made with Para and Castilloa. Pepper is doing well and the cultivation 

 is being constantly extended. Oranges, it is hoped will soon prove a most valuable 

 crop. A South Coorg planter has recently told us that, given a much needed 

 railway, the orange industry would prove a splendid thing. Caravonica cotton is 

 under experiment and " has proved decidedly successful. Hitherto it has developed 

 no disease and suffered from no specific enemy : it is too early, however, to prognostic 

 cate in the matter." Six co-operative credit societies have been established, with 

 funds amounting to Rs. 9,083— .1. E. 



