160 
“ The best Cotton is produced on the windward part of 
the Island. That produced to the leeward is called Syke’s 
Cotton, and is inferior in colour and staple, nor is it so well 
cleared from seeds and dirt as that to windward. There is 
a species of Cotton in Bai’badoes called Vine Cotton from 
the stems resembling those of vines, being long and slender. 
This plant produces but few pods in proportion to their 
common Cotton trees, therefore it is not much attended to. 
The Cotton is very white, long, and silky, something like 
Demerara or the finest Withy wood Jamaica Cotton. Some 
of this Cotton is packed in small bags entire, but often 
mixed with common Barbadoes. G. W. bought 4 Bags this 
day at I7fd. and the best Barbadoes was offered at lofd. at 
same time. 
“ The usual quantity of Cotton produced on each acre of 
land in Barbadoes is about 300 lbs. This year 8 acres have 
produced 3000 lbs., which shews that there is a plentiful 
harvest. It generally happens that the produce is of the 
best quality when the crop is plentiful. When land is 
bought in Barbadoes the usual price is £50 per acre, and 
£50 per head for every slave kept on that estate. The 
seller always disposes of the slaves along with the planta- 
tion. 
“ Mr. Cock says the Islands of Guadaloupe, Martinique, 
and Grenada will produce great quantites of Cotton this 
season, but the crop will be very small on Tobago, there 
being there a general blight. The current prices in Barba- 
does is 15d. Exchange 135. In the French Islands 205 to 
215. Exchange 182. 
“Lancaster, June, 1784. — On enquiry made here it 
appeared that the current prices at Guadaloupe and Marti- 
nique were 170 to 180 Louies for 100 French Weight and 
the Exchange 180 per Cent.” 
