224 



Proceedings. 



[No. 9, NEW SERIES. 



tons under cultivation in various parts of the world, — decided that 

 the properties of the Native cotton could be improved by inter- 

 mixture with exotic varieties, and that a quality of cotton was pro- 

 duced worth double the value of that cultivated at present. A 

 query arises that requires an answer ; have the qualities so pro- 

 duced become amalgamated with the structure and juices of the 

 psuedo-variety so as to ensure a perpetuation of the improve- 

 ment obtained. 



The modes adopted to perpetuate the improved fruits and flow- 

 ers, in other countries raise a doubt. In the generality of cases 

 the seeds obtained from the improved varieties do not perpetuate 

 the improvement — they either go back to the original or produce 

 inferior sub-varieties, thus proving that the seed obtained from the 

 impregnated plant alone conveys the change, and the only mode of 

 keeping up the varieties obtained is by cuttings and grafts and 

 such like operations. Upon this subject information is much want- 

 ed, herbs and vegetables have been improved and the improve- 

 ment continues from carefully preserved seeds, but how or why the 

 same does not in flowers or fruits remain in obscurity; drawing 

 conclusions from what has been done by physiologists in investi- 

 gating and eliciting information on the subject of cross-impregna- 

 tion, a doubt as to the practicability of producing hardy or accli- 

 matizing exotic varieties of cotton certainly exists, at least in so 

 far as obtaining a permanent improvement ; that cross-impregna- 

 tion has been one of the triumphs of cultivation cannot be doubted, 

 a trial of cotton might certainly be made. Science would be satis- 

 fied and an impulse given to commerce if an improvement which 

 could be perpetuated was obtained on an article of so much value 

 to England as cotton. 



Whatever plan may be adopted towards the furtherance of in- 

 creasing the value and cultivation of Cotton in India, the time has 

 certainly arrived to steer by the " infallible compass of truth" 

 hitherto the subject has had sufficiency of ideas expended whether 

 they were foolish or wise ; ideas that have not at any rate proved 

 progressive towards the desired end. 



Other plans might be adopted towards acclimatizing exotic va- 

 rieties of Cotton, viz., growing the seed for a year or two on poor 

 soil in a medium climate, seed might even be raised in Madras or 



