The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-07-04
DEPARTMENT. NEWS.
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.


Agricultural Diosoa Of the Patent 09iee-The Cahira-
ton Of Cotton ia AgiesIn TO the circular issued
by the Commissioned of Patents the 18th February last
John Mahony esq United States consul at Algiers has
the following interesting information in relation to
the production commerce. and manufacture of cotton in
Agiers 1t will be recoeeted that series OF questions
we're propounded in this circular with view to aid in the
making up of the summary Of particulars which II was
most desirable should be obtained.
In answer to tho first question-What species vario
ties of cotton cultivated, IL any in Algeria ?-ho says;
"The Sea Island, long staple, and nankeen yellow
species of cotton cultivated in Algeria"
Second question Are the varieties annual or perennial
y "The varieties are annual but about eighteen months
ago the planters advised TO try to make them peren
NAL by letting the plants stand fer the ensuing season IL
however proved unsuccessful for with few isolated ex-
ceptons, they were killed with the winter rains"
Third question. What variety cultivated to the best
advantage
cultivated the best advantage; il comes TO maturity
FIRST il consequently receives less of the auumnal rains
than the species that mature later
Fourth question How long have they been cultivated
there and from what country We're they obtained
"The cotton plant has been grown with more less sue
in the botanical nurseries OF this colony
since Is47 Three years ago the Emperor offered bounty
TO encourage its cultivation in Algeria, and the govern
men agreed to purchase at several times its market value
all that might be grown here. The seed from the
United States through the French consul at Charleston
Fifth question Has the general character of the cotton
fibre to length strength, uniformity deeriorated
since its introduction Z
"Cotton grown in this country deteriorates in every
of the word much So that foreign seed has to be
procured almost every year. have yet only
good specimen which was grown in the province OF
0ran.p
Sixth question. What amount in pounds is produced
per annum in Algerian K.
"The product of 1854 amounted to 1893 klogrammes
pounds The returns for last year have not yet
been made public"
Seventh question. What amount in pounds is exported
if any, and to what countries !?
at is exported to Havre where is sold on account OF
the French government"
Eighth question. What amount in pounds, If any is
manufactured and what the character OF the goods
" There is manufactured here"
Ninth question What is the usual price of ginned cot
ton fibre per pound2
aThe prices vary from 70lo0 TO ii francs the kilo
gramme Is 35 cents the franc is los and 90 45
cents to the pound
Tenth question Is it ginned by the roller or saw gn2
There has been small wooden machine with rollers
exhibition here; it miserable affair." capable of
ginning with the assistance of man, only six pounds of
fibre in twelve hours Some of the farmers take the seed
cotton they pick it. There three receiving houses
in each povnce located at the principal government
nursery where there and six Mccarthy gins
Eleventh question. How much fibre do one hundred
pounds Of unginned cotton yield
"One hundred pounds of unginned Sea Island cotton
yields 81 pounds OF FIBRE and the long staple species 81
Twelfth question. Where the gins manufactured
"The gins manufactured in the United States
and should judge, from the wood and workmanship Of
the Mccarthy gins that they made in France from
model received from America. OF the six in this province
only works tolerably we'll"
Thirteenth question. How is it PACKED, by hand by
screw, by press, and how many pounds in bale2
screwed int long and square bales each contain
ing about 80 kilogrammes l0S pounds the former
tain the Sea Island species"
Fourteenth question. What is the cost of the produc-
ton of pound Of fibre well ginned2
g" have been able with any kind of certainty
certain the cost of producing cotton in Algeria having
found difference OF nearly so per cent in the statements
made TO by the cuvators One thing Is certain that
notwithstanding the high prices paid by the government
its cultivation is for the most part abandoned as being
profitable
Fifteenth question. Are the soil and climate well adapt
ed to its profitable growth
THE soil is well adapted TO its cultivation but the eli
mate is quite the reverse from the lack Of rain the very
light dews the heat Of summer and the almost ncessant
rain Of autumn
Sixteenth question. What is the maximum, minimum,
and OF the thermometer Of each Of the cot,ongrow
| ing months2
mot having Fahrenheit thermometer, and having for
gotten how to it with the systems Reaumur and Cen
tigrade, regret to be compelled TO give the maximum,
minimum and Of the thermometer taken at this
/ con ate from the latter Ryatpm ma fnlloWRs