The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-04 00:00:00

COTTON SUPPLY ASSOCIATION,

At the usual weekly meeting of the executive committee,
held on Tuesday, Feb. 2, a letter was read from St. Croix,
West Indies, stating that the writer has 600 acres of first-
rate land which he is placing as rapidly as possible under
cotton. He expects to obtain from the first 10 acres planted in
September with Sea Island seed, about 3,5001 b. of cotton.
He is confident that there is no place better fitted for the cul-
tivation of cotton, nor where it could be more easily carried
on. A letter was received from the honorary agents of the
association of Calcutta, reporting that the accounts received
of the present year's crop continue to be satisfactory, that a
largely extended area has been placed under cultivation, and
that a considerable increase is expected. Cotton is now arriv-
ing at market more freely, and large quantities will shortly
come ferward. Some improvements both in quality and con-
dition is observable, and this is likely to become still more
manifest. The extreme monetary pressure now experienced
has had the effect of bringing trade in general to a dead-lock.
Suitable cotton-cleaning machines, combining cheapness
with utility, are still needed. None of the many descriptions
already sent have been found equal to the requirements of
the country. The Calcutta Exhibition is expected to be most
useful both:as regards gins and agricultural implements. Of
ploughs, it is said, the most simple and at the same time most
sorvicable yet seen is one made after the native style,with im-
proved shares and coulter, &c., costing about 16rs. complete,
and easily worked with two bullocks. Reports were enclosed
from the recipients of seed sent out by the association, and
samples of cotton grown from Egyptian seed in the Midna-
pore district will be forwarded. A despatch from her
Majesty's Minister at Tangier, dated January 12, received
from the Foreign-office, was read, stating that the quantity
of cotton grown last year was about 700 bales, which were
sent to Morocco and other towns of the interior, where it is
employed in native manufactures. The high price realised
has encouraged the cultivation of cotton throughout the
districts where water-wheels can be employed for irrigation,
and it is , expected that the crop this year will produce
12,000 bales. The southern provinces have been without
rain since the spring of last year-80 per cent. of the cattle
have died, and grain is at famine prices. The Sultan has
directed the governors of the southern provinces to encou-
rage the cultivation of cotton, and in a few years, when ,the
unfortunate consequences produced by the drought are re-
moved, it will be grown on a large scale. As the quality is
unusually fine, the cotton of Morocco may become a very
important article of export to England. A letter was re-
ceived from Malta stating that the Exhibition is about to
be held which was likely to be of service in promoting the
growth of cotton in that island, and that as the only most
Primitive means of cleaning the cotton, and the old bow
apparatus, are in use among the Maltese, some simple hand
gins Would be most useful. The census just published
shows an increase in the population since 1851 of 10,000,
the present being 134,055, or 1,284 to the square mile. It
hweas resolvedr to send two hand gins to the Exhibition to
° !red as prizes. Several samples of Natal cotton was
33d. to 40d. respectively.
submitted for examination, and valued at 24:1 27d.,and
OUE applications.' for seed
were received and granted:

The last week's rai.,;6Tece
1 ascertained up
to this day, are, in round figures, as under :-
1864. 1863.
Great Western ........................ £57,259 £59,051
North-Western .................. 91,503 B*-2,508
South-Western
Brighton
... 14,621 14,93 s
Midland .............................. 44,678 39,612
South-Eastern 22,037 21,954
Great Northern .. 31,849 26,641
Lancashire and Yorkshire
5,437 5,277
Bristol and Exeter
North-Eastern 51,577 46,515
2
Great Eastern
Manchester, Sueffield, and Lincoln...— 16,708 14,318
About 4;62,000 in gold was taken into the Bank
yesterday.