MALVACK/K. 
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from what they now do, since they have ceased to be cultivated, 
and allowed to grow in a state of nature. I am inclined to the 
opinion, that the numerous sorts of cotton we meet with, are 
properly but varieties of one species, and hence, the characters, 
by which it has been attempted to distinguish them, are so va- 
riable, and so little to be relied on. 
The cotton shrub appears to be indigenous to this Island, as 
well as to all the tropical regions of the Old and the New 
World. It was cultivated in India, and the woolly fibres were 
spun and woven into muslins of the finest fabrics, long ere even 
the existence of the plant was known to Europeans. The in- 
habitants of Africa also appear to have been acquainted with 
the manufacture of it into cloth ; and a coarse cotton cloth 
forms, even now, part of the trade from the interior. Colum- 
bus found the Aborigines of St Domingo naked, with the 
exception of a few who were possessed of a piece of cotton 
cloth ; and in his second voyage, he is said to have brought, 
from the West Indies, some cotton mantillas to Spain. It was 
in Mexico, however, where the arts had nuide a considerable 
progress previous to the arrival of the Spaniards, that cloth 
manufactured from this material, was found in the most gene- 
ral use. We are informed in Purchas, that the inhabitants 
were clothed in mantles, “ painted throughout with works of 
diverse and fine colours several cities are mentioned as paying 
their tribute in cotton ; and a map was shown to Cortez, “ of 
woven cotton cloth, with the havens and harbours near New 
Spain set forth in it.” 
At present there is no cotton grown in this Island for the 
purpose of exportation. At one time, however, it was an im- 
portant article of cultivation. The cotton shrub grows best in 
a light soil, especially in a limestone district, with a moderate 
supply of moisture. In a stiff clay, or where there is a clay 
bottom, it seldom thrives, and generally dies as soon as the root 
has penetrated to a certain depth. It is found to be unproduc- 
tive in a wet climate, from the flowers, although produced in 
abundance, dropping off without forming the fruit. It is grown 
from seed planted between the months of November and April. 
The land is prepared, by cleaning it of weeds, and dig- 
ging holes about 18 inches deep, and 12 inches wide, at a suffi- 
cient distance to allow the plant free space to spread. About 
12 seeds are planted in each hole, and covered lightly with 
soil. Should the seasons be favourable, they will show above 
ground in seven or eight days. The young plants are to be 
carefully kept free of weeds, and repeatedly thinned, till one, 
or in some cases two, of the healthiest and strongest is left. Very 
little pruning is required. It is of the greatest importance 
throughout the whole course of the cultivation, to keep down 
the growth of weeds. This is the surest method of preserving 
the plantation in health, and free from the attack of insects. It 
