The Washington union., 1857-04-30
COTTON IN ALGERIA.

encouragementiorthe Tor the CULTIVATION OF COTTON III Algeria
This report has been spread before the world through
the columns of the official organ Of the French gov
ernment, (the Paris Moaiteur) aud viii attract
than ordinary attention from the fact that there is
but year left of the period in which the grand
pertinent of competing with the United States in
the production Of cotton is 10 be stimulated into
fixed reality by the magnificent douoer Of 100000
francs. The lberaity of the Emperor was undoubt-
edly commendable, though we must add, notwith-
standing the statements to the contrary which we find
so ngeniously put forth in the report that has
suited in demonstrating the utter folly of all future
attempts to convert Algeria into cottcn-growing
country. The fact pompously affirmed in the
report, that " the planters in Algeria have OBJ
tanned two important points towards competition
with the United States--quaty and equal yield
according to the quantity of ground planted $50 far
from weakening convictions on this subject only
servo to strengthen and confirm them; and such
would be the general conviction every mind had
tho report entered into the minute details of these
cotton-growing experiments, and candidy avowed
the fact that they were not conducted much
larger scale than see in almost every conser
vatory or hot-house in Paris where the most delicate
fruits of the tropics grown almost in much per-
lection as they could attain under the burning of
their native cline. We have before official
journal published in Agiers the "4Akhboy-Joundl de
PAlgerc of the 25th January Of the present year in
which we find the details from which doubtless the
report in the Moaaenr chiefly made up, Of the
experiments alluded to- and the awards of the prize
commissioners in view of the "two important points
;taJ
ed by the cotton experimentasts in the French col
ony of Algeria. We translate the article find
it in the "Akhbar' for the benefit Of our southern
cotton-growers, and VIC would be pleased TO publish,
for the instruction Of friends in Algeria, any sug
gcstions they may be pleased to transmit to us touch
ing the closing remark of the report "that the gov
ernment Iof Francel would do well 10 give special
encouragement for works tending to facilitate rriga
ton"
In our issue Of January l6 we published, without
comment, from the g Moaiter Agcrien" of the 18th
nst report upon the results Of the provincial fair
Of the cottongrowers Of the province Of Algiers for
the year 1856.
These results were as follows:
L. Prize Of s. 600 francs and silver medal. One com.
| petitor Prize awarded.
T. Prize Of 5000 francs and silver medal. Two
petitors. Prize reserved.
g. Prize Of 1000 francs and silver medal Five com
petitors. Prize reserved.
H. Prize of 600 francs and silver medal No compet
itors Prize reserved.
g. Prize Of 400 francs and bronze medal No compct
itons Prize reserved.
g. Prize of 200 francs and bronze medal Five COM
petitions. Prize awarded.
Thus sum Of 10 200 francs is expended in prizes,
besides the silver and bronze medals. Two Of these
prizes drew no competitors, and the most important
was awarded TO a colonist who had no rival to dis
pute his claim and for the second best prize there
were but two competitors, to neither of whom it was
awarded.
Thirteen competitors contcnded for these prizes
and but two out Of that number entitled to CON
sideraton. As some recompensc, however, for the
toll and zeal OF the unsuccessful competitors, the
sum of 1850 francs was distributed amongst them.
What an argument do not these facts supply in fa-
Of onr> objections to the abusive system of re-
wards and prizes We do not however, insist upon
our opinions being adopted Facts must speak
for us. We must express the hope, however that
the lesson which this example conveys will not es
cape the enlightened and attentive socitude of tho
Minister Of War.
From the report at length, published in the
Akhbar Of the 10th January, 1857, we translate the
following salient passages introduced in tho deci
sions
In summing up these impressions, the jury con-
cludc that the two parcels Of ground Nos. 2 and 2,
containing together hectares 40 ares 60 centares
exhibit beautiful vegetation, and have entirely
cecdcd; that the piece No. l. containing hectares,
% ares being dry soil exhibits an average success
of four-ffths of the whole The aggregate, there
FORE Of hectares being successful the prize of 5000
francs is awarded.
In preference to the second prize the jury say the
soil not being susceptible Of irrigation, satisfactory
results could not be expected; and the same cause
proves the chief obstacle in the other cases. Tho
prizes cannot be given, in the words Of the report
"pom non yeussc on defdm de contendacc" or as the
Hbernian coroner reported, after holding an IN
quest "the deceased came to his death for want of
breath"
The jury were Messrs Buagnc, counsellor Of the
Prefecture, president Frutie and Coson, members
Of the Chamber of Consultation and Franlieu and
Darru, inspectors Of colonization The prizes were
distributed by the governor general.
eThe hectarc contains little two
SECRETARY THOMPSON.
AL democratic meeting held at LAFAYETTE county