Bushes of the above mentioned variety which has a yellow blos- 
som have been observed, for the last six years, in almost constant 
bearing. They being to bear in six or eight months after planting. 
The following calculation was given to me, several years ago, b) 
an intelligent Chinese who intended cultivating cotton, but aban- 
doned the project for one more lucrative. 
One hundred orlotigs (about 130 acres) will contain 435,600 
bushes and each bush will yield, annually, 50 buds of cotton, or 
one tael' — which is the lowest averaged rate — being 272 piculs and 
25 catties for one years produce. 
The expense of cultivation and cleaning the cotton — about 1,100 
dollars, after the first cost will be nearly 2,000 dollars yearly. 
( The Journal of The Indian Archipelago 
a"d Eastern Asia, 18 go, Vol. IV page 720.) 
REMARKS ON THE CULTIVATION OF COTTON 
IN SINGAPORE IN 1837. 
By T. O. Qrane, Eso. 
In your number for December I find an essay on the Culture of 
Cotton in the Straits Settlements Your talented correspondent 
has not taken that ample view of the subject which he might have 
done, or has been misinformed with regard to the experiments made 
in Singapore. As my experience does not extend beyond this 
island, your readers must remember that 1 treat only of Singapore, 
as the same difficulties may not exist in our sister Settlements. On 
the Malayan continent I doubt much that they do exist, and as re- 
gards Malacca l shall offer some remarks on another occasion. 
Your correspondent has quoted from Mr. G. R. Porter's ,f Tro- 
pical Agriculturist’’ some remarks regarding soil, of the correctness 
of which there does not exist a doubt. In the preceding paragraph 
to that, he says “ the extent of territory adapted for the better des- 
cription of cotton is limited to the Island of Singapore and Penang.” 
As I am treating of Singapore only, 1 would ask him, what land 
there is now available, and adapted to the culture of cotton on this 
Island? The only belt that offered any chance of success, is that 
now occupied bv one entire field of coco-nut tr^es, from Sandy 
Point (or Tanjong Rhu) to Buddoo (Bedok). There may be a few 
acres between that and Tanjong Changi, but not sufficient ever to 
make Singapore a cotton growing Island, were it in every other 
respect successful. The belt of land extends from the sea to the 
Si Map road, and eastward only to Arthur’s Seat. The flat north 
of that road, known as the Paya Lebar district, is partially cultiv- 
ated with cocoanut trees and sugar cane, moreover the soil is not 
at all suited for cotton. 
Before I commence my remarks upon the culture of cotton in 
Singapore with my opinion, resulting from nearly three years of 
actual experience, labour, and outlay of capital, I must correct your 
