The Sun.
London, England, 1868-12-26 00:00:00

CO7 TON SUPPLY ASSOCIATION.

At the usual meeting of the Exective Committee,
held Tuesday, December 22, a letter was read from
Dargeeling, Bengal Presidency, stating that the
views which the writer expressed when in England
six years ago, and which were founded upon per-
sonal experience during twelve years' residence in
various parts of India, have been fully confirmed,
and that he is more than ever convinced of the
possibility of securing a successful cotton field in
India. New Orleans and Egyptian seed can be al-
vantageously cultivated in that portion of the
Bengal Presidency with which he is connected, as
he has satisfactorily proved ; and he has no doubt
also in the neighbouring districts of Doar Teraies,
which contains hundreds of thousands of rich,
unreclaimed acres similar in soil and subsoil, as
shown by chemical analysis, to the cotton soils of
Georgia and Alabama, and capable of yielding
large future supplies of fine cotton. The natives,
however, arc so averse to change their rude agri-
cultural system, and are so firmly attached to
their patriarchal method of husbandry that it is
extremely difficult to persuade them to enhance
the value of their crops by means of superior
seeds, and a better crop of cultivation. More-
over, the common country churka is not well
adapted for cleaning New Orleans and Egyptian
cotton, and they are therefore naturally disinclined
to cultivate crops from foreign seeds, the pro-
duce of which, ungiuned, is actually of less local
value than the crops from inferior indigenous
seeds. It was therefore resolved to send out at the
expense of the association, some gins to meet the
exigency, as well as a fresh supply of New Orleans
and Egyptian seed. A letter was received from
Broach, stating that a prize list of the Broach Ex-
hibition, which was to open on the 22d of Decem-
ber, has been forwarded, and, consequently, that
the medals and money offered by the association
will be immediately awarded. A letter was read
from the Cape of Good Hope, acknowledging a
grant made by the association of seed, which has
been publicly offered for distribution to all persons
willing to give cotton cultivation a fair trial in
the colony. The only article of export (wool)
being very low in price in the home market, it has
become necessary to try some other industry, and it
is expected that self-interest will induce many to grow
cotton largely, though the people are somewhat
apetbetic. His Excellency the Governor has taken
an interest in the subject, and it is hoped that
Government influence will have a beneficial effect
upon the natives.

METROPOLITAN RAILWAY.—The extension of this
railway and the Metropolitan District Railway, from Glou-
cester-road to Westminster-bridge,was successfully opened
for traffic yesterday. Tho trains commenced to run
between five and six o'clock, and have continued to run
between Westminster-bridge and the City with great re-
gularity, up to this time at intervals of 10 minutes.
TILE LIBRARY AND WINES OF TILE LATE MARQUIS
OF HASTINGS.—The valuable and extensive library,
and the choice cellar of wines, late the property of the
Marquis of Hastings—the former removed from Donning-
ton-park, and the latter now lying in the cellars of the man-
sion—are about to b 4 disposed of by public sale at the auc-
tion rooms of Messrs. Putt and Neale. of Nottingham, by
Mr. Phillips, of New Bond-street. i ne4:ihrary contains up-
wards of 20,000 volumes, comprising many rare specimens of
early English and foreign typography, MSS. in the European
and oriental languages, county histories, genealogies
early voyages and travels, books of prints, illustrated
works, early poetry and romances, the drama, facetia.t,
classics, and general history—all in very fine condition,
many being on large paper, and in morocco and russia
binding. The sale commences ou Tuesday next, and will
be continued during the week, the wines being reserved
for the last day. The cellar includes several bins of
Chateau Lafitte and Latour clarets of the vintages of
1863-4, and 'ionic, very find old East India Jitadeira.