(Published by permission of the Madras Government).
The very general failure of nearly all the attempts made in 1832-3 to introduce the cultivation of American and Bourbon cotton into the Peninsula, partly owing to unfavourable seasons, partly to the bad quality of the seed, and not unfrequently from the improper selection of soils on which to sow, induced me to call the attention of the Agricultural Society to the subject at its last meeting. I was in consequence requested by it, to draw up for circulation, in connection with its late liberal distribution of foreign seeds, such instructions for their management as I might think would tend to secure greater success to the attempts now making. In compliance with this request, I have selected the following remarks from materials collected for a more general report on the subject, and trust that they will prove the means of preventing disappointment in some cases, and securing success in others. They divide themselves into two parts or sections, namely, first, an abstract of the most improved methods of culture as now practised, and secondly, suggestions for an experimental enquiry, which I think might be undertaken with a fair prospect of success, and the chance of introducing very great improvements, as I feel quite satisfied that in India we are yet far from having arrived at perfection in this branch of Agriculture.
With reference to the second section I invite communications, and to those who, so far go along with me as either to repeat the experiments I have now in progress, or who, acting on the same idea, think they can more advantageously arrive at the result, though by a somewhat different route, I will feel thankful for any information their enquiries may elicit.
With respect to the seeds either already distributed or in course of distribution, I have ascertained that, with the exception of the Egyptian, the Sea Island of 1836, and New Orleans of 1837 all are, upon the whole, good; the Bourbon, and the Sea Island of 1837, excellent. An easy and economical way of ascertaining their qualities is to soak a few from 10 to 12 hours in water, and then sow them in slightly shaded beds or boxes of loose moist earth: if good, they will generally begin to show themselves in three or four days after sowing. Those covered with a thick coat of fur are a little longer.
