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It need not therefore surprise us, that considering the develop- 
ment of the cotton industry, eyes are set on our colonies in order 
to profit by the advantages gained by that industry. 
An eventual war between the Northern and Southern States of 
North America would cause a still-stand of the spinneries in Europe 
owing to the lack of raw material. 
Referring to the archives, relating to the Agriculture of the 
Netherlands Indies, of the beginning of the second half of the last 
century, we clearly see, that then already great endeavours were 
made to make our colonies into the chief cotton growing countries. 
This old and much cherished hope, is always revived again each 
time that the price of cotton goes up, and it is only to be hoped, 
that the Government will take the initiative, to bring about the 
realization of this hope. 
In order to see to what an extent this hope may be nourished, 
and before enticing people to undertake experiments on a some- 
what large scale, it will be useful to gather together, notes of all 
that has been done, here and elsewhere and to see what lessons 
are to be derived from them. 
A brief review of the cotton industry in general may be of use 
to, thoroughly convey to the mind the chances of success. 
History. 
It is impossible to trace the time when the cotton fibre was first 
used in a woven state. 
No matter how far we go back in the history of mankind, we 
find everywhere mention made relating to cotton. 
The Hindoos and Aztees, natives of India and America were 
already acquainted with it. In the year 2,300 B. C., the time of 
Emperor Yoas, the sons of the Heavenly Kingdom wore cotton 
clothes. 
The Egyptians used linen and cotton cloths * to wrap round 
their mummies. 
Mention is also repeatedly made in the Biblical History, of cotton 
fabrics. One of the Pharaohs presented Joseph with a cotton 
dress. 
It was through the conquering journeys of Alexander the Great, 
that cotton cloth was first introduced to the Greeks and Romans 
of which only the richest made use. The Arabs brought over cot- 
ton to the South of Spain. It is supposed that India is the original 
native land of the cotton plant. America can also lay a claim to 
this, for when the Spaniards conquered Mexico, they found the 
cotton plant there, and that the natives generally used its product 
as wearing apparel. 
It is difficult to explain, how it got thither from India. 
Botany. 
The cotton plant belongs to the family of Mahmcex and to the 
genus Gossypium. It is a native J of the tropics, where it flourishes 
* The presence of cotton can he easily detected by the structure and chemical 
appearance of the fibre. 
