The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-23
LrERpooL, "Wednesday INCOMING. JuIv h
Cultivation Of Cotton In africa.

We have before ndverted to the fact Of the
importation into England, from Natal, district
in Africa, Of Al bales Of cotton AT a late
meeting of the Manchester Chamber of Com
merce, the grower Of this cotton Mr.. BERGTHEn,
exhibited number of samples illustrative of
great variety of Interesting statements made by
him at the request Of the Chamber, going to show
the quality of the African cotton, the adapta-
ton of that portion of the world to its culture,
the character of the SOIL the extent and profta-
bleness Of crops, etc. etc.
The quality Of the Natal cotton from the
samples exhibited, was pronounced very superiolE
Mr. Brown, broker in Manchester, and good
Judge Of cotton, valued these cottons Mt from
lad down to I'd. per lb, the greater proportion
being worth Sd. per lb. The chairman of the
Chamber stated, from his own experience as
spinner, that this cotton had tenacity rarely
equalled, and its spinning qualities were truly
excellent GaA Natt s4Yie}8 aiJ5I
4 In the addresses before the Chamber it was
a subject of frequent and hearty congratulation,
that fair prospect was afforded, that some other
country besides America would furnish the
manufacturing communities of Great Britain with
a sufficient supply of the great staple. 1t was
exceedingly desirable to the manufacturers to
see established number of independent sources
Of cotton The dependence on America for
supplies, was often uncomfortably precarious,
as at the present moment; if there should be a
good harvest in America, they have a fair pros
pect Of business in their own country, but if the
prospects of the cotton crop were blighted, then
their own were blighted also. It therefore be-
hoved so important community AZ Manchester
was the centre Of, to give encouragement to the
effort making for the cultivation Of cotton in
various parts of the world. They should look
not only to Natal, but to other parts Of Africa,
and also to the East Indies. 1t was stated upon
reliable information that they might grow more
cotton in Natal than the whole world now con-
snmed, If labor and all other requisites, could be
obtained. Dir. BRIGTHErL, give al unqualified
opinion founded upon his own personal obser-
walton and experience, that the climate and soil
of Natal were admirably suited to the growth of
cotton, and that lobor could be had without diff
fculty. The cotton that he had brought to Eng
land, amounting to Al bales, was the produce
of the crop of l849. The land upon which it
grew was from 70 to 80 acres in extent.
To the question, whether the cultivation of
cotton could be made profitable, the gentleman
replied by pointing to the samples before the
meeting, the majority (which had been bought
in Natal at Id. perpound.
Upon the subject Of labor, and whether it
could be procured in Natal to an extent to
justify the expectation of general business, he
stated that there were from $4,000 to 100000
Caffres, subjects to the British crown in Natal
and he had no doubt that if properly taught and
kindly treated, the native inhabitants, who had
never been subject to any control until very re-
Gently, would be found to be as useful servants
as could be obtained anywhere, besides being
much cheaper than European laborers, the rate
of wages being 5s. q month, and the cost Of
maintaining them 2s. Cd, in nll U.s. Cd month.
Mr.. BERGTHEn felt very confident that if the
cultivatiors were Of the proper stamp-not in
experienced men who would be incapable of
teaching the natives how to work, but small
farmers who had been used to eultivating the
ground themselves, and had a capital of E20O
or f300, growing cotton in Natal would pay
well. AS proof of this opinion, he stated that
he and the Germans who went out with him in
lS48, had realized 80 percent profit on from rs
to 100 acres. d3Sja ~ RhGlE7 aao.3t
Mr.. BERGTHEn. made the following add-
tional observations: The amount of land now
under cultivation in Natal was about $50 ceres
altogether, but the whole area on-which cotton
might be cultivated with advantage was at least
60 miles by 80. AS proof that cotton was
produced Indigenous all over the district, he had
brought with him blanket, the cotton for
which had been obtained by the natives, and had
been spun by them. Considerable difference of
opinion prevailed as to the amount of cotton
which an acre Of land would yield. Formerly,
he was aware, it was supposed that it would pro-
duce 600 lbs. He did not think this was cor
rect; but he had observed that the quantity in
creased ut each succeeding CROP for instance,
one crop would yield 275 lbs. per acre, and the
next 300 lbs. per acre being of better quality.
The cotton required to be resown about every
seven years, certainly not oftener than every five
years, if properly attended to.-The land in
Natal was tolerably well supplied with irrigation,
but this was not at all necessary to cotton cul-
tivation, and the German emigrants were OPP
posed to it. There was bar across the en-
trance of the harbor at Natal, but he was per-
suaded that it could be removed He had heard
that it could be removed for f10,OOO.-He
should not recommend any vessels drawing
more than ten or twelve feet Of water to attempt
to enter. a1 @I az k1la&it e4f Esuaf
The Chairman said, from calculation he had
made, the colony of Natal was capable of yield
ing 100000 bags Of cotton.