The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-26 00:00:00

Cotton Supply Association.

At the usual weekly meeting of the executive com-
mittee, held on Tuesday last, a letter was read from
Sslonica, reporting that the cultivation of cotton i❑
Macedonia has exceeAed all expectation, and is still
extending. The immense profits which the planters
realised last season have induced others to enter
eagerly into this branch of industry. In several
districts the seed, chiefly New Orleans, has been
sown under the most favourable auspices, and in
many cases has already sprouted and is developing
beautifully. If the weather continue to favour the
plant an abundant crop may be reasonably expected.
Some experiments have been made with Sea Island
seed, but the results have not been satisfactory, and
though they have been repeated this year it is
doubtful if this variety will succeed. Mr Consul
Wilkinson has been indefatigable in his efforts to
encourage and promote the growth of cotton in his
consular district, and his energetic services are highly
appreciated. A letter was received advising the
despatch of a further small quantity of cotton from
Cape Coast, Africa, and stating that as the rainy
season had set in it would be some months before
more would be ready for shigment. A letter de-
scribing the capabilities of Liberia states that if
some experiments now in progress should prove
successful further efforts would be made to render
that country available.for the production of cotton.
A letter dated Brisbane, March, 4, enclosing a small
sample of cotton grown on land belonging to the
Bolton Queensland Cotton Growing Company,
states that the writer has ten acres planted with
this class of cotton, that the plants are looking well,
hnd that he expects 15 or 20 bales this see son. lie
has no doubt that there will be 200 bales forwarded
from his district. The cotton sent is not quite
matured and is from interior plants, but a better
sample is promised by next mail ; though not capa-
ble of accurate valuation, it appears to be worth
from 3s 6d to 4s per lb. A letter was read from the
Board of Trade, accompanying samples of cotton, of
very good staple, grown in the Island of Antigua
and transmitted by the governor of that island,
Such cotton in quantity would be very acceptable.
A consular despatch, forwarded by the Foreign
office, was read from Bosun Serai, stating that steps
have been taken to introduce the cultivation of cot-
ton into the Herzegovina which if successful, as
there is every reason to expect, will induce the
peasantry to follow the example of the various pro-
prietors who have made the first experiments, The
seed sown has been Egyptian. The climate of the
Herzegovina presents no obstacle, and though a
great part of the soil is of a rocky nature there is a
considerable extent of land that could be made
available for cotton. A letter from Demerara states
that although ten months ago no one believed that
cotton would succeed in that colony, every one ib
now convinced that a new staple has been fairly in-
troduced, and that the trade is likely to become e
good one in the course of time. Two bales of 2001 b
each, collected by the writer entirely from the
labourers and small tenant farmers of Britist,
Guiana, have been forwarded. A letter was receiver
requesting to be supplied with Sea Island seed
for 60 acres of land in Grenade, West Indies, and
stating that on the estates for which it is required
Curacoa seed has hitherto been used, but that it is
believed a longer staple will succeed. Three bales
of experimentally grown cotton, forwarded by the
Agri-Horticultural Society of Madras, have beer
received, consisting of Oopum, Egyptian, Ha-
vannah, Bourbon, and New Orleans varieties. The
Bourbon, Egyptian, and American have succeeded
best. There are now 15 verities under cultivation,
and samples of the best kind may be expected
shortly. The results of the experiments with th(
American and other cotton are stated to be high!)
statisfactory.

Fatal Occurrences on the Return from Epsom

Last evening, about five o'clock, Mr. William Ford, of
Myrtle Villa, South Lambeth, accompanied by Mrs. Ford,
was driving a phaeton towards home on their return from
the Derby, when nearly opposite the Swan, at Stockwell,
the horse took fright, and whilst endeavouring to avoid col-
lision with the numerous vehicles which crowded the road,
ran with great violence against an omnibus, causing the
carriage to upset and throwing Mrs. Ford with great force
into the road. She was immediately conveyed to a surgeon,
when it was ascertained she had received severe injuries at
the back of the head. The unfortunate lady was promptly
conveyed to her home, where she expired an hour after the
sad occurrence. Mr. Ford escaped with some slight bruises.
A fatal accident happened also to Mr. Winslow, a cab pro-
prietor, who resided in Short's gardens, Drury-lane. He
was proceeding on horseback at a rapid pace along the
M andsworth road, when he was thrown from the saddle and
his foot hung in the stirrup with his head on the ground
for a considerable distance—On the horse being stopped Mr
Winslow was released, but died shortly after from the effects
of the frightful injuries he had received.

CLIFTON SUSPENSION BRIDGE.—The scaffolding
surrounding the piers on the Glocestershire anti
Somersetshire sides of the Avon has now been entirely re-
moved, and the construction of the roadway has been com-
menced. Some lengths of the longitudinal girders have
already been fixed in their permanent position on each side
of the river. These lengths are 16ft. long, and weigh about
a ton each, and the two girders which enclose the carriage-
way from pi,m to pier will each be formed of 40 lengths,
Those already overhanging the river are connected with the
chains by the suspension rots, of which there will be about
so pairs. They are made of the best wrought iron, each
rod being lain. in diameter. The cross girders will be
firmly bolted underneath these, and will project Eft. on
either side beyond the longitudinal girders, and on these
projecting parts will be formed the footways. The cross
girders also weigh about a ton each, and on these will he
placed sin. planking for the foundation of the roadway.
'This part of the work is performed by the men commencing
at both piers, and bolting a length at a time, fixing the
suspension rods as they pi ogress, till they meet in the cent ri
and unite the two portions of the structure forming the
roadway. Already a very good idea of the appearance o
the structure can be gained ; but in the course of another
week or two a considerable portion of the girders will doubt-
less be
placed in position, and the work will prove a grew
attraction to visitors during the meeting of the Bath ant
West of England Agricultural association in the ensuing
month,