128 



Selections. 



[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 wbicb 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 be 

 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 3s. per lb. It yields only 17\ per 

 cent, of cotton ; other kinds 23 to 25 per cent. 



KIDNEY OR CLUSTERED SEED. -That of Honduras is very hardy, and 

 grows every where, 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 6d. 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 clown 

 that they can be 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. Th^y however indi- 

 cate the soil on which cotton will thrive if abundant. 



