Page:Madras Journal of Literature and Science, series 1, volume 6 (1837).djvu/111

1837.] —Neither of these being to any considerable extent cotton producing districts, the reports from them afford no information respecting the cultivation of the little that is produced. Nellore derives most of the cotton required for the supply of its manufactures from the Ceded Districts.

—At the date of the report from this district the cultivation of Bourbon cotton was rapidly extending, and promised soon to become general in those parts of the district that afforded suitable soils. It had altogether failed in the black soils, but succeeded well in reddish loamy sandy ones. Of country cotton two kinds are cultivated, oopum purthee and landum purthee (no explanation are given of these terms, but I presume they mean the annual and triennial cottons, purthee meaning seed-cotton). The former is a coarse inferior sort, cultivated in black soils. The seeds are sown in November and December, and the gathering takes place in April and May. The latter is raised in both black and red soils and is of fine quality. It is sown in July and August and gathered in December and January, and sometimes produces a second crop. It is frequently mixed with other dry crops. It does not appear that the large produce of this district is in any respect indebted to superior husbandry, as no account is given of the plan pursued.

—The cultivation of both American and Bourbon cottons have been successfully introduced into this district, especially the latter, but it appears to me is still far from having attained perfection. This being so completely an inland district, the Upland American varieties only can be expected fully to succeed. The Sea Island and other coast varieties being so sensitive to removal from the coast, probably from requiring a soil strongly impregnated with saline matter, that they immediately deteriorate on being carried inland, will most likely fail, but should certainly be tried. The country cottons of this district are good, but afford only the moderate return of about 3 rupees per acre to the cultivator. The mode of culture, it would appear, presents nothing peculiar with respect to country cotton; for Bourbon cotton Mr. Fischer recommends the best red loam soils at a distance from the hills, which he thinks are apt to attract rain and cause dews, which are injurious. The plants produce the best crops the second and third years; pruning has not been practised at any stage. It would I think be worth trying the effect of the Persian plan on some spots both of the second and third years duration. The mixture of light grain crops in the cotton fields is constantly practised, and is said not to injure the cotton crop, but no comparative experiments have been made. The seed is sown in August and September, and the first harvest begins in May.