The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-11-27
THE GROWTH OF COTTON.


meane of supplanting the cotton growers Of
our Southern States. Algeria is said to
promise we'll for the spindes of France
But as yet we have seen no substantial
manifestation Of the power that region;
may display in the production cf the raw
material SO much in demand for manufac.
turers. We see Ly the English presses that
the Australian island-or continent-has
been broached as proper field for the cul
ture of cotton. 1t appears that in that
portion of the world, the advocates of
cotton growing trust to convict labor
a communication from Australia thus sets
forth the advantages there enjoyed:
The soil is a light. .colored mould. of
great depth, and, in the opinion of those
qualified to judge, who have examined some
that was brought to England, is of rich
quality. AS to climate, the range of tenn
pcrature throughout the year is from 500
to 9o0; there is, therefore, no interruption
to vegetation; and from the report of Capt.
Flinders, II. N, who was in the Gulf from
4th November, 1902, to 9th March, 1903,
rain was frequent during the prevalence of
the northwest monsoon from December to
February, after which the weather became
settled. Both Capt. Stokes and DIR. LEIGH.
hardt, in different years, visited the plains
i" July and August, the close of the dry
season. and found them covered with long
grass; there must, therefore, be moisture to
sustain vegetation for six or seven months,
a period sufficient to mature cotton. 1t
therefore appears as if both the climate and
soil of the plains Of Carpcntaria will be
better suited to the growth Of cotton than
any country we are now acquainted, with
except the southern districts of the United
Statesof America"
Further experiments are suggested, by
the way, for establishing the capaLlity of
Australia for the production of cotton.
1t has been suggested as favorable field
for the growth of cotton. Only think of
that, ye dreamers and others, in whose eyes
Italy is land of heroes, gods, goddcsses,
and "nsurpassaole scenery. Experiments
in planting, cotton in the beautiful regions
once trodden by the soidiery Of the Cesars
have proved successful. Giuseppe Romano,
Nespoiitan correspondent of the Manches.
,---'t..'..'s EIans-1u 1urs.es IN reier1nea 10
the culture of cotton:
81 thank you for the cotton seed which
am expecting every day, and you may
rest assured 1 will make the best use Of it.
The Rev. Mr.. Pugb, at the end of the
month of May, gave me a little seed, but
being rather latc in the season, only saved
q few plants, which have not yet produced
any fruit.
"Ihe confidence which your information
has inspired me with, and the thing itself
has so much interested ME, that have
bought about 500 acres of capital land on
the coast Of the Ionian Sea IA miles TO
the south Of Galipoli,) in the province of
Terra d'Otranto. The land and situation
are both excellent for this species of produc-
ton, 80 that the common cotton of the coun-
try, when it is cultivated there, arrives 10
yard and n half in height. I will put
your seed there with every care, and if it
succeeds, as am almost sure it will, will
not only cultivate my land, but will en-
deaYor to buy 1900 acres more, the price
being only about 92 per acre, there being
a little malaria and no less than 10000 and
more acres of the richest land, quite uncul-
tivated. 1t would be safe speculation,
but no one there has the capital to under
take it."
It will he seen that The cleapness Of the
soil, aud the success of the preliminary ex-
perinents, have induced Romano to continue
the cultivation of cotton. Should he he SO
fortunate as he anticipates, he will doubtless
be followed BY numerous others ofhis coun-
trymcn, and cotton will become staple of
"the land of song and story" IntLemean-
time, West Africa looms up as favorable
field for tho cotton plant. 1t will be hard,
indeed, if among all these experiments, by
those who appear desirous Of superseding
the wealth of our Carolinas, they cannot
find one country capable of doing as well in
the production of the raw maierial.-Phil-
adelphia Eueni'eg Journal.
Official Atrocity.-A correspondent of
the New York Times says that one of the
inmates Of Blackwell's Island prison, at that
city, having lately offended one of the
keepers, was buried to his waist in the earth,
his hands tied behind his back, and there
kept for two days without food, except
little bread which was put into his mouth
by poorsiunstic.
The servant Of a Prassjan officer one day
met = esony, hoinquired Of lin how lie
got along wilh his fiery rIsster. aoh, ex-
cssient, anssered thsseryant : We live On
very friendly terms every morning veb bsat;
sssb Of hss's copta The only difference i, he
tskaa ilil of % bs bsals1, and ] keepsmins: