The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-31 00:00:00

COTTON SUPPLY ASSOCIATION.

At the usual weekly meeting of the Executive Committee
held on Tuesday,a letter was read from Durban,Port Natal,
stating that the growth of cotton is rapidly extending in the
colony, that nearly every planter has some' land, varying
from five to 30 acres, under oultivation, and that the me-
chanics in the town are giving up their business to grow
cotton. A sample has been forwarded, which was valued
at from 34d. to 36d. per lb„ and the yield is said to be at
the rate of 3001 b. per acre. A letter was received from
Sidon, Syria, describing the results of experiments made in
that district with American seed, which, owing to the want
of irrigation, had not been fairly successful. During the
coming season renewed attempts to grow cotton are in con-
templation, under such auspices as to warrant the highest
expectations, and supplies of seed were requested, which
were granted. A letter was read from the British Vice-
Consulate, Latakia, North Syria, confirming the report pre-
viously sent that the quantity of cotton produced in the dis-
ttict will not be less than 5,000 bales of about two cwt.
each. The produce finds its way chiefly to France, owing
to the want of means of transit to England. The boats of
the French and Russian companies are unable to take
the quantity of cotton offered, and the last French
steamer sent back nineteen loaded lighters, whilst not a
single English steamer has yet found it worth while to
make its appearance. Attempts are now making to remedy
this state of things. A letter was received from Calcutta,
stating that the crop from Bengal will not, in the writer's
opinion, greatly exceed that of last year, but that it will ex-
ceed it, and not fall short of it, as some have supposed.
Samples of cotton were enclosed grown from Egyptian and
New Orleans seed in the Punjab, where the crop is said to
have been much damaged by severe rain. The soil of the
Punjab appears to be not unlike that of Egypt, especially
about the large rivers, and an experiment on an extended
scale—say 300 acres—with Egyptian seed, and by means of
a steam plough, would, it is confidently expected, be emi-
nently successful, unless some unforeseen accident of climate
should intervene. A letter was read from Asks, in the Ma-
dras Presidency, reporting the result of an experiment
made with seeds supplied bp the honorary agents of the as-
sociation, and stating that some New Orleans seed had
yielded at the rate of 1351 b of clean cotton per acre. The
Egyptian seed,though promising well for a time,had failed to
realise the results expected. A letter was received from Rio
Janeiro respecting the cotton-growing capabilities of Espirito
Santo, Brazil, which was formerly quite a cotton district, and
where the planters are anxious to resume cultivation. The
indigenous cotton of the country is of an inferior description,
but New Orleans and other varieties succeed well. A sup-
ply of seed was requested. and granted. A letter was read
complaining of the injurious operation of the old tithe law
in Turkey, which has the effect of discouraging the use of
American seed, so abundantly proved to be admirably suited
to the climate and soil of the country. This is greatly to
be deplored, as the general introduction of American seed
is indispensable to the permanent establishment of the cot-
ton trade on a large scale in Turkey. A few years would
effect the change, the crop being much more profitable than
the native ; and it is to be hoped the Government will, by
a speedy abolition of the tithe on cotton, secure to the
country the full benefit of the golden opportunity now
offered. Consular despatches, forwarded by the Foreign-
office, were received from Mr. Consular Blunt Smyrna,
dated 21st Nov., stating that the corps within the more
immediate districts of Smyrna will not exceed 45,000 bales
of 300 each, to which may be added about 20,000 bales
from parts of the coast of Caramania, which will give a
total of 65,000 bales. Of this quantity from 7,000 to
10,000 bales will have been cleaned and fit for shipment by
the end of December. From Mr. Consul Green, Bucharest,
dated Dec. 2, with a report on experiments in cotton culti•
vation in the Principalities, and inclocing samples of the
crop. From Mr. Consul Wilkinson, Salonica, Nov. 17, de-
scribing the excitement amongst the agricultural population
in that province, and that anxiety to obtain seed for the
coming season. A wealthy proprietor has ordered from Eng-
land a steam plough for his farms, and others are preparing
to follow his example. The Government has ordered the
construction of roads into the chief cotton districts. A vast
plain, watered by the River Vardar, with a soil of great
fertility, bordering on the sea for a distance of 30 or 40 miles,
and with an average breadth of three miles, might be made
most productive. The soil, being slightly impregnated with
salt, seems Well adapted for the cultivation of Sea Island
cotton. Owing to the want of direct steam communication
with England, mast of this year's crop is sent to Marseilles;
from 3,000 to 4,000 bales are shipped weekly. A report was
received from her Majesty's charge d'affaires in Hayti, on
the cultivation of cotton in that country, and detailing the
measures adopted by the Haytian Government to provide
labourers by immigration, and to stimulate the growth of
cotton by bounties. The present year's crop is expected to
exceed 3,000,0001 b., and that of 1864 is estimated at
4,500,0001 b. Only a portion reaches England, the rest being
taken by France and the United States. The progress
already made, though highly satisfactory, would be mid
u°h
be
greater if a well-devised scheme of immigration could
carried carried out. The republic has a territory
furnish very large supplies of cotton, if adequate
ate labourersto
could be procured, and this it is hoped will eventually be
obtained.