The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-24
ron THE REPUBLIC.
The cotton OF the United states.

Messrs. EDrroRs: My attention has been fire.
quenly called 10 this subject of late and Iverly be-
leve that an essay, rather treatise, upon the
cotton of the United States, would be one Of the
most valuable that could be given to the public. ]
would first consider the popularity of the plant in
ihe attitudes in which we cultivate 1.-THE difference
between Il and that which is produced in other parts
of the world--thc demand and production-the pos
ebc competition, and all the ramificd topics con-
nectcd with this fruitful theme.
The upland cotton region in the United States
may be said TO lie between the 800 and $50 OF north
latitude, extending in length, from east 10 vest
from southern Virginia TO the Rio Grande. IL
first, and most striking Characteristic within these
bounds, is, that il is annual growth, and bears
annual crop, like wheat or corn. There is the
regular Of growth, flower, fruit, (f may
this cxpression.) and decay. II Is supplied with
regular rains, and It's growth. in due time, is ar
rested by frost The sapof the plant instead Of be-
ing employed in tho formation Of leaf and woody
FIBRE IL expended in the production Of lie pods and
seeds Instead Of aspiring to the character Of tree
the whole cotton field presents uniform appear
ance the plant seldom exceeding six feet in height
with numerous lateral branches. The crop is also
uniform in appearance. and staple, and is nearly
all ready 10 be gathered about the same period. u
is. bcxides, beautiful plant; the cotton field In
blossom il highly ornamental, and the snow whit,
appearance, when the bowls opened, Is, IL pos
sible, still more 40 The yield is abundant il
Of the medium size Of the plant, the cir
cumstance of its vgor being exhausted In the pro-
duction of its fruit while the uniformity, strength
and firmness Of the staple is precisely that which
peculiarly fits II for ninety nine hundredths Of th
cotton fabrics entering into the ordinary use sne
consumption To show how much the fruit IL In
fiucnccd by climate and locality, may cite Tn
well. known fact, that the upland cotton seed, whc'
carried 10 the coast and TO the south Of latud
300, changes in two years. time to the black seed
and long staple; and so rice pvsa.
South of laiitade 300, there is a contin val cfior
OF nature 10 form wood, leaves, and blossoms, a
the crpsnse Of the fruit; and beyond the region G
frost, il gradually becomes perennial, sometime
a ree-of course, thin bearer, lie staple irregular
silky. and weak; perhaps better adapted to som
delicate fabrics. and comparatively limited con
sumption. For this reason, the American Uplan
cotton need tear no rival within the tropics, citbe
in the West Indie. the Brazils, or India. II
true that Egypt lies north Of BOP; but that part
Africa being on tho western SIDE OF that bcmi
sphere the climate corresponds with re- on III
eastern side. IL seems now 10 be admitted, tbs
from the popularity Of climate and position, ther
is no country on the globe that can rival or super
scdc the United States in this ingaluable produc
ton, unlcss be ihc British possessions ~ austria
liza; and the distance is too great, IL the same ar
ticle could be produced to transport II TO the Euro
pean market. in pref~ence TO other articles pro