The Sun.
London, England, 1864-08-25 00:00:00

Cotton Supply Association.

At the usual weekly meeting of the Executive
Committee, held on Tuesday, August 23, a letter
was read from Greenough Flats,Western Australia,
enclosing a sample of cotton, which was valued at
4s per lb., and stating that green seeded cotton,
which is supposed to rank as Sea Island, is likely to
prove the staple produce of 'Western Australia. The
acclimatised seed, or the seed from plants raised
from exotic seed, will produce upwards of 50 per
cent. from green seeded plants, larger and more pro.
ductive than the exotic seed, but the staple, although
long, silky, and strong, is not so fine as the produce
of the exotic seed. A letter was received enclosing
a sample of the first crop of Sea Island cotton grown
by the Queensland Cotton Growing Company, Bol-
ton, on a block of land of 1,200 a., situate
.near the
sea, and about 100 miles north of Brisbane. Not-
withstanding the wet weather which had prevailed
a good crop was expected from about 15 acres, and
with the requisite moans it is said that at least 100
bales of the finest quality could be produced next
year. The land is well adapted for growing cotton,
most of it being good sandy soil, near the sea coast,
with sea breezes and a flowing tide, so that the land
can be kept dry and warm, which appears to be re-
quisite, especially for Sea Island Cotton. The
directors in their last report, which was enclosed,
express full confidence in the ultimate success of the
undertaking, which has already outgrown their an-
ticipations. The object is so to render each share-
holder his own producer, on his own freehold land,
and there seems a respectable prospect of a crop of
cotton by next May worth £2,000, with other pro-
duce in proportion. A letter was read from the
Japan Herald, on the export of cotton from Japan
during the year 1863, showing an aggregate amount
of 33,187 bales, or, taking the weight at 11 piculs
per bale, 58,078 piculs. The exports in the last cix
months of 1863 amounted to 24,539 bales, compris-
ing about 4,000 bales of the new crop. No restric •
Lion appears to have been put upon the supplies of
cotton, although on several occasions there were
rumours that the Japanese authorities would take
measures to curtail them, and there is reason to be-
lieve that the native dealers experienced some diffi-
culties in bringing down the staple to Yokohama,
which, however, the large profits made by them
determined them to brave and overcome. Much
more cotton has been planted than formerly, and it
cannot be doubted that since the effect of the high
prices lately ruling has been felt by the original
producers their efforts will be redoubled to increase
a crop so greatly in demand in ports open to Euro-
pean commerce. A despatch forwarded by the Colo-
nial office was received from the Governor of Gambia
showing the continuous increase in the growth of
cotton on the banks of that river, His Excellency
has succeeded in a great measure in restoring:peace
to the adjacent countries; the large tract of arable
land near M'Carthy's Island is under cultivation.
The Yaunimaroo people alone are at variance with
each other. The Mandingoes of four large towns
near the Vintang Creek sent an embassy to the Go-
vernor soliciting his mediation, that all, both Ma-
hommedan and Pagan might be able to live in peace,
and if his interposition should be successful, a most
fertile country with water carriage on two sides will
be restored to cultivation. The whole of the Barra
kingdom is in profound peace. Upper and Lower
Corubo is full of nomad farmers actively engaged in
agriculture. Sanguine expectations are formed that
the rivers on the West Coast of Africa will be so
many highwuye for the conveyance of cotton, and
that tho present year and every succeeding one will
show a considerable increase in the quantity ex-
ported. His Excellency believes that facts prove
undeniably that the African is industrious when he
works for himself. A letter was read describing the
ccitonsgrowing capabilities of Algeria, and stating
that the writer has 100 acres which he is about to
place under cultivation. The French Government
grants a premium of is per lb on the long staple or
German cotton, and of 41d on cotton of another de-
scription, which contributes greatly to the profits of
the grower. Ia the province of Oran, where the
Property referred to is situated, the writer's rela-
tives have upwards of 1,750 acres of land suited to
the growth of cotton, and as the soil is good, with

an ample supply of water and other advantages, he
feels confident that the success of his efforts is be-
yond doubt. A letter from Gibraltar states that
the picking season has commenced in Barbary, and
that gins are urgently needed.