The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-02-06
The Production of Cotton.

From the London Mercantils, Jan.
The supply OF raw cotton tor our manufactures is
every day becoming a subject of greater interest
and anxiety in ikis country; and II IS really extra
ordinay-where cotton 10 known 10 grow almost
spontaneously IN SO many regions OF the earln,
where 30 many soils and climates are suited TO is
cultivaiion--thst We should still be dependent upon
small portion OF the United states for the gre ater
part Of the supply which We require. II Is strange
that neither Southern or Western Africa have ever
been thought OF countries where this shrub could
he cultivated 10 almost an unlimited extent. Only
few days ego, specimen OF the wlld cotton plant
of Western Africa, which was pldcked within nifty
yards of the shore, with fail bolls. was exhibited
IN the Exchange.room AZ Liverpool The Liter
pool Journal says. The quality Is fine, and this
specimen shows that there woald be no difficulty
IN cultiyaiinq cotton where IL was gathered. We
quite believe H. We belIsye in the possibility Of
growing cotton an hbitum IN this district OF Africa;
indeed, we have reason 10 think that both cotton
and coffee are Indigenous along the whole line OF
coast from IL deg y. lat. 10 the Equator. Ia
Princes Island, lat. I 30, and IN the Island Of st.
Thomas, which hes under the Equator, coffee
grows abundanuy, and we think II will be found
that the climate, which IS suitable 70 the coffee
plant, will also grow the cotton shrub. Indeed,
the former island produces not only coffee, but
fsgRr and rice.
The peItinAcity with which the manufacturers Of
Lancashire continue 10 look 10 India as the only
country which can relieve them from their Deepen.
dence upon the United States, is, in our oplalen,
Injurious TO the object they have IN view, as II
withdraws their attention from other Countries
where they would have lever difficulties 20 con-
tend with than have hitherto met them IN India
II IL, however, quite time that they looked more
extensively abroad, for there are many reasons why
their reliance upon America should begin 10 be on
the wane. According to The Liverpool statistics OF
the cotton trade, which viii be found "a our JOUR-
nal OF last week, n appears that the Geneiency OF
cotton IN that port, compared with the corresPond-
ing period Of l-4g ~ estimated at 10000 bales
and that an equal deficiency exists in Manchester
The Ltrupool di5tor from the statistics u pre- sents
70 is readers, comes 10 the conclusion that we are
beginning this year with considerable deiciency
IN the known stock Of cotton, while AZ the sane
time there IL snort crop in the United 5ta.ea. IL
n certain that, he ufaeiure Of cotton 10 an
nually on the increase in America, there will be
greater home demand tor the raw Material, less ~
The article oisposable for expectation, and coase-
Quenfiy, an enhsnced price put upon Il m the coun
Try We think il is evident that the present
tive Of the States, ana the party in office there,
wish to encourage theirown manufactures. Some
thing OF this Kind - hRted az in the annual state
ment Of TIE Secretary OF the Treasury which has
lately come TO hand. In this d0cume NJ the system
of adj raiortD' duties - strongly objected to az IN,
juuoua to dome site industry and ltis recommended
"a highly necessary that the present rate Of duty
should be increased on a variety Uf articles.
Whether Manufactured cottCns will be included la
this category remains to be seen.
We would not discourage the manufacturers from
looking 10 India es ope country from which they
car be supplied with cotton, bat we certainly would
discourage their looking to Il as the only country
for this purrose The report % the Select Com
miiiee Of The House OF Commons, which sat, in
1915, to inquire into the growth OF cotton in India,
leaves even thing n doubt and uncertainty. Il
does, lndeed conclude with paragraph expressing
an opinion, (" that under the continued encourage.
rnent afforded by the govern nent OF India, and
by taking full advantage Of all the resources which
are siill within reach, there may eventually DC
opened 70 the manufacturers Of this country large
and regular supply Of cotton, n a quality largely
consumed by the British m snufacturer, which will,
BY giving them additional sources Of supply, rem
der Them more independent OF the failure OF crops,
and thus have The double effect Of equalizng the
Irice 81 the raw material, and Of lesseping those
fluctuations IN the market which have occurred Tor
some years pest, and which have acted 30 inJun-
ouely 90 the energies 81 our manufacturing popu-
ahon lhtfe u nothing very encouraging IN this,
particularly when Il ie known, as the report says,
mat for sixty years past the Court OF Directors
have taken az interest in this question, and have
expended considerable sums in various attempts 10
stimulate me growth of cotton in the countries
SUBJECT 70 men fue This may be very true, but,
AZ the same time, Il IL very depressing Sixtv years
and considerable sums, have been almost frntIesslv
spent; Americans and American gins have been sent
10 India experimental farms have been established
there; noivthstandng which, ourmsnufac turersare
still without suppy OF cotton from that country
The Court OF Directors still adhere to the Opinion
that the obstacles which are supposed hitherto IL
have retarded the extension Of cotton cultivation
in India, may be overcome" We are ~ the came
opinion, but II promises to be a work of time and
difficulty, unsuited TO the exigencss Of the trade,
and the anxiety OF those engaged in II.
We have said that there are many other coUn.
tries where cottos may be grown; why, then, wait
for the eventually which il promised BY the report
81 the committee We should ike 70 see the
energies Of he manufacturers directed ie ccsni.y