The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-11 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 11, 1863.

COTTON SUPPLY ASSOCIATION.

At the usual weekly meeting of the Executive Committee
held on Tuesday, the Bth September, a letter was read from
Salto Republica de la Banda, Oriental South America, for-
warding a sample of cotton grown from Georgian seed,
planted in October, 1862, and which was valued at 21d. per
pound. The plants commenced flowering in January, the
first cotton was picked at the end of February, and had
continued producing up to the middle of July. Each plant
has given on the average nearly a pound of cotton, and
next year double that quantity is expected. The writer
has farms of about 300 acres each, land on easy terms can
be obtained from the Government, and a company with a
capital might successfully and profitably extend the culti-
vation. A sample of cotton from Africa, grown in the
vicinity of Accra, was submitted for examination, and
valued at 19d. per lb., also one from Persia valued at 15d.
per lb. A beautiful specimen of hybrid cotton, grown at
Luckn.ow, forwarded by the honorary agents of the associa-
tion at Calcutta, together with samples grown in New Cale-
donia from Sea Island and Pernambuco seed, were sub-
mitted for inspection, and valued at 15d., 24d., 25d,, and
36d. respectively.
Consular despatches, relative to the amount of cotton
likely to be grown in the respective districts this year, were
received from the Foreign-office—viz., from Diarbekir, Mr.
Consul Taylor, dated July 22, reporting that the ravages of
the locusts still continued in the districts around, and
"have completely put a stop to cotton cultivation for the
present year, and that there is not the slightest probability
of any cotton being available for export. No foreign seed
of any description has in the meantime been made use of."
From St. Domingo, Mr. Consul Hood, July 10, stating that
a very large amount of cotton seed has been sown-during
this and the preceding year; that the country and
climate are • well 'adapted to the cultivation of cotton,
which grows indigenously, and that a very large supply of
good quality, might be obtained if it were not for the scarcity
of labour. As correct an estimate as possible, will be for-
warded. From the Acting Consul-General, Mr. J. V.
Crawford, Havannah, August 4, enclosing a Government
return of cotton cultivated in Cuba, and extracts from the
reports of
,her Majesty's Vice-Consuls, from which it ap-
pears that the coming crop may be safely estimated at
1,500,0001 b, or 3,000 bales of 5001 b each. It is stated that
the cultivation of cotton in Cuba is decidedly progressing,
in spite of the hostility evinced towards it by the majority
of the sugar planters, and that the encouragement afforded
by the Government, together with the present high prices,
will ensure the continuance of this progress. From Para,
July 25, Mr. Consul Perry, reporting that in the province
of Maranham this year's crop is considered good and ex-
ceeds that of 1862 by some 9,000 bags. This province pro-
duces the,best Brazil cotton, and were it not for the scarcity
of labour very large quantities might be raised ; and should
prices be well supported, the crops of 1864 will be far greater
than it has been for years. From the provinces of Gram
Para and Amazonas the rate of increase appears to be about
800 arrobas of 321 b each per annum; the scarcity of labour
is the great hindrance. From Lima, July 28, Mr. Consul
Jerningham also reports the probable crop of this year in
Peru to be 30,000 quintals of 1001 b each. From Callao,
July 16, Mr. Consul Robertson, stating that the quantity
of cotton likely to be grown in the province of Ica this
year will be 10,000 quintals, from 2,000 to 3,000 more
than last year. From the Acting-Consul, Mr. Cocks,
Islay, July 23, enclosing a specimen of indigenous cotton
from the Valley of lambo, Peru, valued at 245. per cwt.,
and stating that the cotton hitherto grown in his district
has been for local use only, but that high prices are stimu-
lating the production with a view to exportation. Peru, in
many parts of the interior, and in all the valleys along the
coast, possesses advantages for the cultivation of cotton
which few other countries enjoy—a suitable climate, the
absence of strong winds, abundance of water, free labour,
&c. Notwithstanding the almost insurmountable indolence
and apathy of the population, many would embark their
capital in this promising enterprise if they could have grants
of land, secure possession, suitable protection, &c. Foreign
assistance in the development of this branch of industry
would be most useful. From Monte Video, July 21, Mr.
Consul Lettsom, reporting that in his district no cotton of
bto be
produced
moucedst destructive,thisyear.Tthhee
ravages
yagcoems soefqutehneceblaics elkliakntys
have
price of labour and transport is a serious obstacle, and only
in the neighbourhood of navigable rivers is it likely that
cotton will be grown to any extent. The demand for seed
in Cuba is reported in the consular despatch from Havan-
nah. induced the committee to resolve to send out a quantity
forthwith, to be disposed of to the planters at cost price.