Selectio7i$. 
[no. 3, NEW SERIES, 
open nature to allow the tap-root to penetrate without obstruction. It is better 
to try experiments on a small scale, as experience can be obtained at a cheap rate 
in the first instance which may otherwise prove very costly— such as relates to 
the soil for different kinds ; the quantity from each tree, or from an average 
number or proportion per acre ; the proportion of cotton to the seed ; which is 
finest, longest, or strongest; which is most easily cleaned, or most downy and dif- 
ficult, or most subject to attacks of insects ; or grows best near the sea or inland. 
It is an object to destroy the insects, catterpillars, &c. as soon as they appear, 
to prevent them depositing their eggs: for this purpose fowls and particularly 
turkeys are serviceable; and perhaps indigenous cotton is less subject to insects 
than newer kinds. A great deal depends on keeping the seed in a dry and well 
aired situation, and turning it over occasionally till required, removing any ap- 
pearance of them, and burning refuse leaves &c. as soon as possible. 
SEA ISLAND COTTON, which is an annual in the United States of only 
18 inches apart, becomes a perennial in the tropics of six feet, and needs to ba 
planted six to eight feet apart, bearing well for five or six years ; and in propor- 
tion according to the temperature of the climate ; giving a crop in 6 to 9 months 
according to the time of planting. It should be planted near the sea, and rather 
on a saline soil. It must be cleaned by the Roller Gin to obtain the best price — 
at present Is. to Is. 6d.— formerly Is. 6d. to 2s. The Egyptian is said to be from 
Sea Island, and brings the best prices of the saw-ginned cotton, about 7d. 
ANGUILLA is a very fine cotton, and the original of the Sea Island from the 
Bahamas; it is said to be fit for making the finest lace when carefully picked 
and roller-ginned, valued about 1839 at 2s. to Ss. per lb. It yields only \1\ per 
cent, of cotton ; other kinds 23 to 25 per cent, 
KIDNEY OR CLUSTERED SEED.- That of Honduras is very hardy, and 
grows everywhere, near the sea or far inland, yielding about 8 ounces per tree, 
of wool per crop, at 6 feet apart. Some kinds bear two crops. It can be picked 
from the tree with ease, with ordinary care, without breaking a leaf, and is easily 
cleaned by the saw-gin. Its value is equal to the best New Orleans, and the 
same machinery serves for spinning it.— In 1842 I sold it at Gd. per lb. in Liver- 
pool and Glasgow. 
DOWNY COTTONS.--When the seed IS much covered with down or short 
hair they can only be cleaned by the Saw Gin, however fine : so that the fine 
sorts have their texture injured for the high priced class, and are therefore re- 
duced to the ordinary sort. The American upland is very downy but strong, and 
therefore can only be cleaned by the Saw Gin. Some kinds have so little down 
that they can \yp. cleaned by the Roller Gin. If the down is of red colour it makes 
the cotton cream coloured. 
INDIGENOUS COTTON deserves attention as most likely to stand the cli- 
mate, and to be less the prey of worms and flies. They improve by cultivation, 
and when neglected become small, covered with hair or down. Thny however indi- 
cate the soil on which cotton will thrive if abundajit. 
