ApraL 1, 1904.] THE TEOPICAL 
AGRICULTURIST. 
689 
imported seed of the same class, and are probably more 
productive in a normal year ; that the produce from 
acelimatiaed varieties is not greater, and Iho lint not 
much better, than that from the best indig;enon3 
varieties of the Broach type. It ia, however, possible 
that superior late ripening varieties of Broach cotton 
may be aa unsuitable as the Egyptian or Peruvian 
varieties, owing to the risk of ooM and frost, but there 
is some evidence that these indigenous varieties 
are not so seriously affected by cold as are the exotics, 
and they may, in an ordinary season, be grown at a 
profit without irrigation. Mr MoUison believes that 
newly-imported exotics will be improved in vigour of 
growth by acclimfitisation, and that deterioration may 
be arrested by cross-breeding but this subject requires 
farther investigation by the Department, and need 
not concern the planter or the ordinary cultivator 
who obtains his seed-sapply through the department. 
It has been proved that two or three acolimf.tised 
varieties of American nplalid types are woirthy of 
extensive trial in Behar and that some indigenous 
varieties of Broach type are equally promising. Mr 
Mollison has, therefore, arranged for considerable 
quantities of seed of these varieties which can be 
supplied to cotton-growers in various parts of India 
though the seed is intended chiefly for Behar the 
Punjab and Sind. There is, in the opinion of the 
Director-General, scope for a wide extension of superior 
cotton-growing in these districts. 
Mr Mollison closes his note with some practical 
advice to planters and others who wish to undertake 
cotton-growing. He considers that neither good 
indigenous nor good exotic cotton can be grown in Behar 
unless the common method of sowing it as subordinate 
to maize and ' arhar ' is modified. Superior varieties 
of cotton may be grown as a mixed crop with maize, 
but the strong muchbrauched 'arhar' will smother any 
good variety of cotton. Where cotton is grown with 
maize there should be two rows of maize to one of 
cotton plant. Mr Mollison says he does not believe 
that cotton cultivation can be greatly extended in Hthar 
unless planters can arrange for their tenants to grow 
the crcp on one kind of share system , if the planters 
try to grow it themselves there is such considerable risk 
of loss by theft that the crop would probably prove 
unprofitable. Mr Mollison combats the idea that 
perennial cotton -growing on extensive areas ia likely 
to prove profitable. There are numerous insect enemies 
of cotton and even where it is only grown once in three 
years it is difficult to picvent extensive damage by 
bollworm. He would anticipate very serious damage 
from this pest in large plantations of perennial trees, 
Rotation unquestionably reduces the risk of loss. The 
subject of insect pests of cotton in India has been taken 
up by Mr Lefroy, the entomologist of the Department, 
and he may shortly be able to recommend practical 
measures to keep the pests in check. — Pioneer 
COTTON CULTIVATION IN CEYLON. 
Since wviting on this subject recently 
we have received nuich valuiible infor- 
mation from Sir William Mitchell, whose 
name we mentioned as one of those who 
had endeavoured to re start the Cotton In- 
dustry in Ceylon, concurrently with the 
establishment of the Spinninpf and Weaving 
Company's Mills at Wellawatta. That was 
abou 15 or 16 years ;igo ; and the informa- 
tion tthen collected should be of use at the 
present time, tc supplement the results of 
the e xperiments now being carried out under 
the auspices of the Government — or at least 
to throw, light on tlieni, and to go hand in 
band with them. While, as we imlicated, 
the ofiticial expeiiment will be chiefly useful 
in enabling outside capitalists to come to 
a decision about investing their money liere, 
those already on the spot need not wait 
till then. It is the early bird who picks up 
the worm ; and those who have suitable 
land, or can acquire land now for starting 
work, would do well to make a beginning 
with the information already available. 
Clearings and plantations need not bo at- 
tempted at once on a large scale. A begin- 
ning just now, before there is a rush for land 
or for labour will enable one to profit by 
the lessons of the experiments of the later 
eighties and by one's own observations — 
willingly aided, we feel sure, by the author- 
ities of the Koyal B>tanic Gardens. And 
when Mr. Willis is able to issue an authentic 
Keport and to point to ascertained results, 
the early worker will not feel strange to 
his task, but will be able to assimilate all the 
information available from the experiments 
now in i)rogress at Anuradhapura and 
beyond. To the Sinhalese capitalist there is 
the brochure compiled by Mr. W. A. de Silva 
in 1889, with the approval of Sir W. W. 
Mitchell and Mr. C. Drieberg, available -or 
a reprint might be arranged for, if the 
edition has been exhausted ; while those to 
whom English is famili-ar may profit by the 
following "Hints for Cultivation:— 
I.— HINTS FOR CULTIVATION. 
(/Applicable to American and Egyyiian Cotton) 
1. The richer the soil the better. Avoid shade, 
Cheualand, even though steep and rocky, is suita- 
ble. 
2. The seed being very oily loses its vitality 
quickly. Do not allow it to become damp, bub 
keep It spread out in a cool place. Sow as soon 
as possible after its receipt, but wait for a wet day. 
3. It is of piiniary importance to sow at such 
a time as will result in the crop being ready for 
picking in dry weather : secondarily, the seed 
must be planted on a showery day. 
4. Two pounds of seed are sufHcient to sow one 
acre. 
5. Plant the seed in places 3 ft. by 3 ft. or 
3 ft. by 4 ft. apart. Before planting break up each 
place with afork or niamoti, 4 to 5 in. deep and 
6 to 8 in. square. Plant two seeds, 3 to 4 in. 
apart, in each place at a depth of not more that 1 in.' 
6. If one out of every two seeds grows' 
there will then be 4,800 plants to an acre if planted 
3 ft. by 3 ft. ; 3,600 plants to an acre if planted 
3 ft. by 4 ft. 
7. In those parts of the Island affected by the 
south-west monsocn the season for sowing is ap- 
proximately from July 1 to August 15, but in those 
other parts depending on the north-east monsoon 
for agricultural operations the proper season for 
sowing will be when those rains set in. The crop 
will be ready from January 1 onwards. The Ameri- 
can variety ripens two to three weeks earlier than 
the Egyptian. 
8. Pick the cotton when the capsules burst 
leaving the capsules on the tree. ' 
9. Thoroughly d.y the cotton in the sun, clean 
it, and separate it from the seed. 
JO. The cotton should be separated from the 
seed by a gin, which is easily worked, and verv 
cheap. •' 
11. Be very careful not to break up the seeds in 
the cotton, 
11,— RESULTS. 
1. I-incleaned cotton of 612 pods (American 
variety) weighed 3 lb. S cz. It was then separated 
from the seed : the weight of the seed was 2 lb. 13 
